Houston Poetry Slam
presents the Annual Super Slam Week:
Preliminaries, Semifinals, and Houston Slam Team Grand Slam Final all in one week!
For details visit our websites:
www.houstonpoetryslam.orgwww.myspace.com/houstonpoetryslamSUBSTITUTIONS POLICY
1. Vacancies on the Houston Slam Team may be referred to the next ranking individual or team contestant on the grand slam results list. Next, vacancies may be referred to poets on the semi-finals results list, and then finally the preliminary ranking list. The Slammaster reserves the right to hold an Alternates Slam at any time to fill vacancies on the slam team or openings for IWPS or WOWPS.
The 2013 Houston Poetry Slam Qualifying Rules and Format
Poets, here's how to qualify to be a member of the Houston Slam Team for 2013 Nationals in Chicago or Boston or where ever it's going to be. Here are your options:
1. OPTION ONE: At least 8 INDIVIDUAL POETS need to contact me BEFORE DEC. 31ST to schedule at least six competitions at our monthly open mic poetry series. POETRY SLAM INC. REQUIRES AT LEAST SIX EVENTS, WHICH IS WHY I DO TOO.
2. OPTION TWO: Form your own team of poets. BUT AT LEAST two teams of 4 or five poets each must call me BEFORE Dec. 31st to schedule AT LEAST SIX competitions between at least those two teams at our monthly open mic poetry series. POETRY SLAM INC. REQUIRES AT LEAST SIX EVENTS, WHICH IS WHY I DO TOO.
3. We can get the six competitions done in one week. We can get the six competitions done in six months -
BUT they have to be done BEFORE DEC. 31ST. IT'S UP TO YOU.,
4. If we have just eight individuals competing this season, after the required six competitions, the eight individual poets will go to a Grand Slam Final. The top individuals 4 poets of the Grand Slam will form the 2013 Houston Slam Team. You will have the option of taking a 5th poet as Alternate.
5. If we have at least two teams competing this season, after the six competitions, the top team of the season will form the 2013 Houston Slam Team. If at least two teams are tied after the six competitions, then they will go to a Grand Slam Fina. The top team of the Grand Slam Final will become the 2013 Houston Slam Team.
Here are the basic rules for ALL Poetry Slam Incorporated certified slam contestants:
1. Write and compete with your own poems up to three minutes long using: no props, no costumes, no musical accompaniment. At 3:10:01 you start losing .5 of a point for every 10 seconds you go over after 3:10.
2. You will be judged by 5 judges who
may be picked out of the audience. The judges will score you Olympic style 0 to 10 points judging such criteria as performance, originality, and content.
Here are the local qualifying rules and the local format for the Houston Poetry Slam open season between August and February.
1. The format for qualifying slams is no elimination, for no more than three bouts per night (maximum eight contestants).
2. For the six qualifying slams the first two bouts may be head -to-head match-ups in four rounds (teams or individuals). Individual scores from each round add up. The first round of qualifying slams is random order. The rotation in succeeding round is:
Round 1: A,B
Round 2: A,B
Round 3: A,B
Round 4: A,B
3. The last bout will consist of 4 contestants (individuals and/or teams), 4 rounds, individual scores add up each round.The first round of qualifying slams is random order. The rotation in succeeding round is:
Round 1:ABCD (random)
Round 2:CADB
Round 3:DCBA
Round 4:BDAC
4. In head-to-head bouts, placing 1st earns four ranking points. Placing 2nd earns two ranking points. Total accumulated scores determines lead within a ranking group.
5. In 4x4 bouts, winners earn ranking points determined by placing as follows, with scores determining lead within a ranking group:
Placing 1st earns four ranking points.
Placing 2nd earns three ranking points.
Placing 3rd earns two ranking points.
Placing 4th earns one ranking point.
6. A grand slam will be held with no less than 4 contestants.
7. The format for the Grand Slam Final is no elimination, no more than two bouts (maximum eight contestants) with 4 contestants per bout (individuals and/or teams), 4 rounds per bout, individual scores are added together each round. Top two contestants from each bout become the Houston Slam Team.
8. Teams competing against individuals MUST send one individual member on stage to perform in a a head-to-head.
9. Individual poets cannot be on more than one team, and teams may not share poets.
The mission of Houston Poetry Slam is to promote poetry slam as one tool to help organize a nurturing, vibrant local poetry community. If you chose to form your own team, coach or captain your own team - beware of the self indulgent, egotistical poet. Their actions serve <strong><em>only</em></strong> their own personal advancement and maybe the advancement of their small cliques which can subvert concepts of team work and good sportsmanship. The Slammaster is available for consultation, but the team you form is your own problem should problems occur. You've been warned.
The Slammaster reserves the right to clarify these rules throughout the season, make additions or changes as needed - all at his discretion. If you wish to protest these rules or their alleged violation or manipulation, notify the Slammaster in writing. Your protest will be decided by the Slammaster. You may appeal decisions not to your liking to the Wrighter's Ink Executive Committee, and then if necessary to the Wrighter's Ink Board of Directors.
