OUR PERFORMERS
ELIZABETH ACEVEDO
Writing Poetry as a Form of Resistance
Ms. Acevedo holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. She is a National Poetry Slam Champion and her work has been published or is forthcoming in the Notre Dame Review, Callaloo, Puerto Del Sol, Poet Lore, and Beltway Quarterly. Her manuscript, Blessed Fruit & Other Origin Myths, was a finalist for Yes Yes Books’ chapbook poetry prize and will be published in the fall of 2016
ELIE RIZK AND THE COOL KIDS
Elie Rizk and the Cool Kids is a music project made up of Elie Rizk, Philip Peker, and Sarah Lee. Fresh from their performance at the NextNow Festival opening up for Reggie Watts, the group is excited to share its talent with TEDxUMD.
Mistaken as brothers, Elie and Phil’s chemistry and understanding on stage is infinite; they finish each other’s musical phrases, lines and even facial expressions. When they are not working at Elie’s recording studio, One Stone Studios, they are jamming or writing new songs. At the end of freshman year, Elie and Phil decided to put their heads together to work on a performance project, and invited Sarah Lee to help them construct their vision.
The group is genre-defying. Elie, the head of the group, draws from influences such as Jack White (White Stripes), Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) and Tom Waits to create a warm, tangible and intimate atmosphere. Philip Peker, guitarist, adds a jazzy, experimental flair to the rock-solid foundation, bringing the sound to the next level. Sarah Lee, vocalist, fills in the blanks with her sultry, West-Coast R&B vibe. Collectively, the band will leave your heart racing, your feet moving, and your brain thinking.