Alex Charalambides
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Alex Charalambides

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Band Spoken Word Comedy

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Alex Charalambides: Poetry for the People"

"It's a performance with the rhythm of a hip-hop rhymer crossed with the dynamic pronunciation and punctuated, tension building pauses of an actor giving a heartfelt and insightful monologue. These skills belong to Alex Charalambides, one of many slam poets emerging from a scene that is hijacking poetry from the grip of academicians and placing it firmly back in its roots as an oral tradition."

"As he finishes his piece, the crowd applauds in the manner of a stoked audience at a music concert..."

"Exceptional skill as a writter / performer." - Blank Canvas Magazine Fall/Winter 2006


"Timing Important in Last Chance Slam"

"great range..."
"funny & evocative..." - Worcester Telegram & Gazette 2/11/05


"BC Alum reads "Slam Poetry""

"fast paced, energetic"
"brought the crowd alive..."
- The Daily Free Press (Boston University) 2/24/03


"Providence Poets to Compete at National Slam"

"emotionally moving..." - Providence Journal 8/5/03


"Like a Flitch of a Switch"

"Like a flick of a switch, he can transform. The audience jolts in their seats when it happens. They recover and lean in closer, careful not to miss a beat and to catch every word he spits. His voice fills the lonely room, intimidating the small group of listeners and the open space that surrounds the low-standing stage. But nothing is safe from his grip. His voice is too powerful, too loud. He uses his body to exaggerate the imagery he reads aloud. Before the night is over, Alex Charalambides will “slam”; and the audience will beg for more..." - Paige Dearing, Syracuse University


"Regie Gibson"

"Fierce Word Warrior..." - Regie Gibson - National Slam Champion


"Jack McCarthy"

"I've never seen anyone get so good so fast...." - Jack McCarthy - Spoken Word Luminary


""I am B" album review"

"The title of Alex Charalambides’ new CD, “I am B,” can be read three ways. Just a clue how rich this album is. It has three dimensions, any one of which would make a good CD. First we have complete performances of 14 of Alex’s poems.

Each poem was recorded with a band, but four separate bands appear. They have this in common—each keeps the tempo up and drives the poems without forcing a boring repetitive groove that marches through the text. There is pace and nuance here. We have poetry and music together, blended by poet and musicians who know each other well, including two fortunate concert tracks with the Jeff Robinson Trio, for my money the best jazz-poetry band in the United States . The others are hip without too much hop and a seemingly “natural” blend of poet and musicians. Although, as with all successful art, the tracks seem easy and without much artifice.

This is also a concept album. Inter-tracks carry a developing dialogue between Alex and his shrink (gracefully voiced by Corinna Bain). Again, the set up for each poem seems natural, effortless.

I have put off making a CD of my own for years because I don’t have the time to make it as good as I think it ought to be. It is heartening to hear such a quality product from a young poet who has the poetic talent and the comfort with musical performance to take the time to get it right. He does everything better than everybody else, except, well, sing."
- Michael Brown - Boston Poetry Slam Founder


Discography

"I am B" - Self-Released (2005) - Poetry concept album, blending several music styles with spoken word, tied together by a narrative play.

"Best of Eugene (OR) Poetry Slam '04/'05" Compilation CD

Photos

Bio

Alex Charalambides is a Boston College Graduate ('96 History / English) who started performing poetry in the fall of 2000.

Has performed at The Green Mill (Chicago), Syracuse University, Boston Universitry, Clark University (Worcester), Worcester Art Museum, Mercury Cafe (Denver), Cantab Lounge (Boston), Starry Plough (Berkeley), Ego's (Austin) and Hawaiian Hut (Honolulu).

He's the first poet to represent Boston (2002), Providence (5th place 2003) and Worcester (2004) at the Annual National Poetry Slam.

Alternate for the 2001 Worcester Slam Team & Coach for the 2005 Providence Slam Team.

Winner of the IWPS "Last Chance Slam", he earned a bid to compete at the 2nd Annual Individual World Poetry Slam Championships, placing 17th (out of 60) in 2004.

TV credits include season #2 of PBS show "Fetch," as slam poetry mentor.

He's the Founder and Director of the Speakout! Poetry Collective, Worcester Youth Poetry Slam, mentoring youth poets on teams that competed at the 2004 & 2005 Brave New Voices Festivals.

He's fronted a band called Skint, and performed with musical acts One Flew East, Nikulydin, The Jeff Robinson Trio, Psy-Lab and Eleven Eyes.

He's an original cast member of the Cambridge Poetry Award Winning Ensemble Troupe "Doc Brown's Poetry Circus."

Author of 2 chap-books, "Too Little, Too Soon - The Crossover Poems," and "Drugs... & other Points of Reference," as well as a collected works bound book, "Soon to be a Major Motion Picture," released through Double Bunny Press. His first album, "I am B," (featuring music by Skint, Psy-Lab, Theta State, The Jeff Robinson Trio & Paul Brower) was released in the fall of 2005, leading to a 6 month National Tour.

He's shared the stage w/ The Jim Carrol Band, Comedian Jimmy Tingle, National Poetry Slam Champions Shane Koyczan, Mike McGee, Anis Mojgani & Regie Gibson as well as countless luminaries of the performance poetry world.

He's taught poetry workshops for You Inc. and has performed in Slam Venues, Rock Clubs, High Schools, Colleges and Coffee Shops around the Country.