What's the slam scene in Philadelphia?

[Ransacked]

Can it really be that my hometown, the fourth or fifth-largest city in the US, has no regular poetry slam?

I know that UPenn has a strong reading series at Poets' House in West Philly, and a Google search reveals a fair number of open mics (some poetry, some whatever).  And this summer I know there was some sponsored slam by Adidas and Rockport shoes ()  But there doesn't seem to be anything regular or PSI-affiliated.

Understand that if I'm digging into some misbegotten tale of intrigue, it's purely by accident.  I just find it odd that there are 2 weekly slams in Boston/Cambridge, but none in Philly.

[Steve]

In the past, yes. But now? Not so much.

[MattMason]

I know, I was in Philly last year and was surprised I couldn't find a slam.  They can only dream of being as cool and cultured as us here in Omaha.

[suziqsmith]

hrmph . . . I'll be in Philly in a couple of weeks, it is a shame that I won't be able to check out a slam.

[Ransacked]

I know, I was in Philly last year and was surprised I couldn't find a slam.  They can only dream of being as cool and cultured as us here in Omaha.

Your cows dream of being our cheesesteaks, Matt. 

[MattMason]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[karen_g]

Can it really be that my hometown, the fourth or fifth-largest city in the US, has no regular poetry slam?

I know!If only I'd known while I lived there, I mighta been able to start something.
There used to be a reading on South Street I loved because cats like Amiri Baraka would just stop by, no fuss, and read on the open just like everyone else.That' was '99, though.

[Michael Mlekoday]

Yeah, that sucks. UPenn & Philly Youthspeaks are way too good to not have a PSI outlet.

[JacobW11]

I know this post is old but it is one of the first things that comes up when Philadelphia Poetry Slam is googled. We have two poetry slams! A monthly poetry slam The Pigeon Presents: The Philadelphia Poetry Slam & the bi weekly The Fuze Poetry Slam. Both are great. Both worth checking out.

[karen_g]

I know this post is old but it is one of the first things that comes up when Philadelphia Poetry Slam is googled. We have two poetry slams! A monthly poetry slam The Pigeon Presents: The Philadelphia Poetry Slam & the bi weekly The Fuze Poetry Slam. Both are great. Both worth checking out.

My mom sends me articles all the time on what's going on up in Philly 

[Dahled]

Here's a FB specifically about open-mics, spoken word events and whatnot in Philly https://www.facebook.com/groups/519926394691275/
the long and short of it is that there are lots of open-mics but slam comes and goes. also, when going to open-mics make sure it's not music only, Philly is a music town more than a poetry town.

[sherod]

Hey this us tge slam master for tge fuze in Philly . Philly is just as much as a poetry town as a music town. Up until tge fuze there wasn't a slam scene and with tge addition if the pigeon now there is . Facebook me @sherod Smallman 

[Ransacked]

Thanks Sherod and Dahled.

I'm not often in my hometown, but I'll be back for Christmas and some family visits in the Spring. I went to the Fuze two years ago around Thanksgiving to check out the open mic and the place was locked, chair-on-tables kind of thing. But I'm glad to hear you're still at it and that poetry is still happening regularly there.

Thanks for bumping this back up! I hope to check out your slam next time I'm in town.

Dahled, someday I need to perform my poem about Chester when you're in the room. I don't know if you'll like me more or less afterward, but I think either way it'll resonate with you.