THE SLAM is a performance poetry competition where each poet has a
3 min. time limit to perform a poem, earning a score between 0 and 10 awarded by randomly-picked judges from the audience.
Scores are based on content, originality and performance. The winning poets get prizes and a chance at being on the Seattle team
that will challenge 72 other teams from cities across the U.S. and Canada at the National Poetry Slam. Competition for a place on
the team is fierce, making Seattle a top national contender.
Seattle teams consistently make the semi-final round and have repeatedly made the final round at Nationals.
Two years in a row, a Seattle Slam team member has won the title of National Poetry Slam Indie Champion.
In 2006 it was, Anis Mojgani, and in 2007 it was Danny Sherrard.
While the slam can sometimes get heated and competitive, this community always holds true to the famous words of Slam Poet Allan Wolff:
THE POINT IS NOT THE POINTS,
THE POINT IS THE POETRY
How Can YOU get on the Mic?
Sign-ups are from 8-8:30pm.
Poets have two options: the Open Mic OR the SLAM.
There are 6 spots available on the OPEN MIC and 8 spots for the SLAM.
If there are more sign ups than slots, readers are drawn lottery style for fairness.
What Are the Rules?
Open Mic readers are encouraged to keep their performance to 3 minutes or less and can perform one piece.
Poets must perform their own original work. No props, costumes or musical accompaniment. Poets have 3 min. (with a 10 second grace period) to perform one poem. After that, points are deducted
