Marc Kelly Smith | Slampapi | Slam Poetry Blog

Most poetry readings are episodic. Poet after poet reading one, two, or more poems, and where there may be an arc in the poem that stirs interest and creates suspense — in the collective performance there is none. After an hour (or less) of episodic presentation an audience usually has had enough. Long before the [...]

There’s some discussion going on, lately, about how poetry slams have evolved and will evolve in the next few years. My feeling is that 2011 (the 25th Anniversary year) is going to be a good opportunity for the American slam communities to re-examine themselves and asked some critical questions. For instance:
Does your slam show appeal [...]

Slammers I need you’re help. The old man is going to spend the next year visiting the children and grandchildren of slam. I’m starting in the Midwest and then branching out east and west. Let me know where the slams (big and small, old and new) are in your area so I can schedule a [...]

Gonna dust off the oldies and swing with some newbies tonight in Scottsdale, Arizona at my dear friend Jeff’s Club Mardi Gras. In typical Marc style it will be anything goes. Looking forward to hearing from some of the local poets and hopefully some old slam friends — Sarge, Bob Nelson, Ed Marbry. We’ll see [...]