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Harold Branch III (a.k.a. HB) might roll with Chicago’s Enigma Poets, but it’s no mystery as to the wordsmith’s role in Phoenix’s spoken-word scene.
The poet grew up amid the turmoil of Chi-town’s west side and settled into Arizona life as a teen, determined to make a difference with his words and deeds. He did exactly that with the cultivation of HomeBase, a haven for hard-hitting verbal spitting.
Community service has been a hallmark of the accomplished writer and performer’s approach to life. Seeing him on stage, you get a hint of the kind of personal power that he encourages people to tap into, because every word that HB speaks – whether a slow whisper or a sonic boom – is crafted to make an impact. With HomeBase, there’s an emphasis on pumping positivity, but the purity of uncensored expression is king.
Third and First Sunday of every month, 7 p.m., 2009
