Poetry slams are high-energy competitive events that bring together assorted poets and high-energy audiences unafraid to cheer or boo.
One of the country’s fastest-growing art forms, slams have raised the profile of spoken verse. Any slammer can stand on a podium and belt it out, but it is the electrically-charged crowd comebacks that are crucial to the ambience.
In keeping with all the zaniness, St. Albert’s new poetry group is mounting its first slam. Art Out Loud is hosting Wild & Woolly Words at the St. Albert Public Library on Thursday, April 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
“We’re looking for poets out there that don’t have a lot of opportunity to read. People write verse and file it in a binder. Too many poets sit on binders of good work that isn’t published,” says Art Out Loud president Christine Babiuk.
Babiuk, who describes herself as a “broad-stroke poet” and has performed verse for two years, sends an invitation to local poets to sign up for the slam.
Acknowledging that some poets are shy, she adds, “The hardest thing is performing, getting out in front of an audience, but you only get comfortable by getting out there.”
Art Out Loud has narrowed the scope to a theme on writing: reading your first book, your admiration of words or even other authors.
A judging team of four will be looking for original, non-published work that can be recited in three minutes. Judges will score based on performance, content and audience reaction.
All styles are welcome ranging from a cappella, hip-hop, theatre monologues and literacy poetry to dub poetry, rants, haiku and power raps.
There’s no formula for slams and it’s impossible to predict how the night will play out, but one thing is sure: whether it’s rap or lyrical poetry, the poems are a diverse series of thoughtful lines that flow elegantly.
Members of Art Out Loud opted to organize a locally based poetry slam after tiring of travelling to Edmonton.
“Why go there when we could have them here?” asks Babiuk. She was first introduced to spoken verse at Stony Plain’s Cowboy Poetry Festival and left in awe.
As with any slam, there are sure to be some experienced slammers competing against newbies. But even Babiuk, a veteran slammer, admits to getting “squeamish” just before a read.
“Come and hear your words. Let other people hear your words. You might find you have a gift that will get you over a hurdle to send something to a publisher,” she said.
There is no entry fee. To register, call the St. Albert Public Library at 780-459-1682. For additional information visit www.sapl.ab.ca/event/3906.
