91
General Discussion / Re: Boston style slam
« on: May 08, 2008, 10:29:05 AM »
Steve, if the people want to call it "Boston style," I say we let 'em. Anyone else been slamming head-to-head weekly since 1992?
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92
General Discussion / Re: Boston style slam
« on: May 08, 2008, 01:20:52 AM »
I've never heard it called a "Boston style slam." Awesome.
Anyway, the 8-person slam we run here is all head-to-head competition, and it indeed is three rounds.
Round One is 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, 7 vs. 8. Clean slate, Round Two: the four from each pairing face off in two more head-to-heads. Clean slate again, then the last two winnners go heads-up in the finals.
It's a nice format if you are looking to avoid score creep; the judges are really only deciding one winner per each pairing, and scores are wiped clean after each round. The trick is that you really need exactly 8 poets to run it (although there are ways to fudge it with different amounts of poets).
Anyway, the 8-person slam we run here is all head-to-head competition, and it indeed is three rounds.
Round One is 1 vs. 2, 3 vs. 4, 5 vs. 6, 7 vs. 8. Clean slate, Round Two: the four from each pairing face off in two more head-to-heads. Clean slate again, then the last two winnners go heads-up in the finals.
It's a nice format if you are looking to avoid score creep; the judges are really only deciding one winner per each pairing, and scores are wiped clean after each round. The trick is that you really need exactly 8 poets to run it (although there are ways to fudge it with different amounts of poets).
93
General Discussion / Re: CafePress? Lulu? Zazzle?
« on: April 29, 2008, 07:47:34 AM »
I guess what I like best about these sites is that they offer on-demand printing: I don't have to order 150 of them and worry about getting stuck with 'em.
If I wanted to go to a printshop, I could just create my own calendar at home and have them run it off. I'm just not sure how many to print at this point, since we've never tried this kind of thing.
If I wanted to go to a printshop, I could just create my own calendar at home and have them run it off. I'm just not sure how many to print at this point, since we've never tried this kind of thing.
94
General Discussion / CafePress? Lulu? Zazzle?
« on: April 28, 2008, 02:46:50 PM »
Hey, guys:
I'm looking to put together a calendar as a fundraiser for the venue this year, and I'm investigating a few online services to create it.
It looks like my likely options are CafePress, Lulu, and Zazzle. Anyone made use of any of these?
I'd love to hear thoughts and experiences...
--simone
I'm looking to put together a calendar as a fundraiser for the venue this year, and I'm investigating a few online services to create it.
It looks like my likely options are CafePress, Lulu, and Zazzle. Anyone made use of any of these?
I'd love to hear thoughts and experiences...
--simone
95
General Discussion / Re: Calling all Nerds!
« on: March 13, 2008, 01:03:50 PM »
Cantab SlamMaster right back atcha, Logic.
Hit me up here, or at cantab@slamnews.com. You comin' through town?
Hit me up here, or at cantab@slamnews.com. You comin' through town?
96
General Discussion / Re: Slam poets on Borders Website
« on: March 13, 2008, 01:01:23 PM »
And by "Boston Cantab Team," you mean, of course, Shira Erlichman and Brian S. Ellis.
Totally exciting. Thanks for the heads-up, Tim.
Totally exciting. Thanks for the heads-up, Tim.
97
General Discussion / Re: Slam order draw question
« on: March 05, 2008, 03:29:06 PM »
Hey, Dave:
Your structure is pretty typical, and I think as fair as any other. Most systems can or do result in a poet possibly having to go twice in a row. It you don't like the aspect of #12 having to follow him/herself in the second round, you can always switch it up so #11 goes first, #12 goes second, and then it's 10-9-8 etc. as usual. This is the format that Worcester uses during their team selection slams.
In contast, at the Cantab, we draw randomly for all rounds in finals and semi-finals. I dunno how exactly fair it is, but no one's complained. (Well, we complain about our actual draws, of course, but not about how it's done overall.)
My experience has been that you can use almost any format you want, just as long as you communicate it from the very beginning. No matter how perfect your system is, if it gets sprung on poets on the night of the slam, they'll find something wrong with it. Let them know in advance and they'll either 1)offer constructive criticism in time for you to change the system, or 2)get tired of bitching after a few weeks when nobody else backs them up.
Dave, even the fact that you've bothered to ask around to do a little research implies to me that you're already very cognizant about what's fair, what makes your poets happy, and what makes a good team. I think your format will work out fine.
--simone
Your structure is pretty typical, and I think as fair as any other. Most systems can or do result in a poet possibly having to go twice in a row. It you don't like the aspect of #12 having to follow him/herself in the second round, you can always switch it up so #11 goes first, #12 goes second, and then it's 10-9-8 etc. as usual. This is the format that Worcester uses during their team selection slams.
In contast, at the Cantab, we draw randomly for all rounds in finals and semi-finals. I dunno how exactly fair it is, but no one's complained. (Well, we complain about our actual draws, of course, but not about how it's done overall.)
My experience has been that you can use almost any format you want, just as long as you communicate it from the very beginning. No matter how perfect your system is, if it gets sprung on poets on the night of the slam, they'll find something wrong with it. Let them know in advance and they'll either 1)offer constructive criticism in time for you to change the system, or 2)get tired of bitching after a few weeks when nobody else backs them up.
Dave, even the fact that you've bothered to ask around to do a little research implies to me that you're already very cognizant about what's fair, what makes your poets happy, and what makes a good team. I think your format will work out fine.
--simone
98
General Discussion / Re: Graduate School and beyond
« on: March 02, 2008, 08:01:16 PM »
Lies! Slander!
When the Cantab says "nice tie," Mr. Ransacked, sir, we really do mean "nice tie."
Poets are so sensitive.
When the Cantab says "nice tie," Mr. Ransacked, sir, we really do mean "nice tie."
Poets are so sensitive.
99
General Discussion / Re: Special Local Events (Northeast Region)
« on: February 22, 2008, 12:20:17 AM »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 22, 2008
New England, New York Poetry Slam Teams Perform at Cambridge Fundraiser
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., – On Saturday, March 1, the All Asia bar and cafe will host a regional qualifier for the National Poetry Slam. The event will feature performance poets from all over the Northeast in a free, all-ages show.
Teams from Bar 13 in New York, Hampshire County in Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine will duke it out in a regional slam to see who will win a spot to the National Poetry Slam in Madison this August. This match will feature poets from at least five states, ranging from total rookies to nationally renowned performers.
The show will also feature performances from special guests, including the Emerson College slam team. Maxwell Kessler, Carrie Rudzinski, Steve Subrizi, and Carlos Williams represented Emerson College at a recent four-team college regional and won a spot at the 2008 College Nationals. This will be their first feature performance together.
Doors for this show open at 3:00 and poetry begins promptly at 3:30. Emerson College will feature first, with the poetry slam capping off the afternoon.
This show is all-ages and free. The Boston Poetry Slam will pass the hat to help raise money for the Emerson College Slam team’s April trip to Nationals. All Asia respectfully requires a one-drink minimum for patrons of the show.
All Asia
334 Massachusetts Ave.,
Cambridge, MA 01239
http://www.allasiabar.com
The Boston Poetry Slam
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
press@slamnews.com
February 22, 2008
New England, New York Poetry Slam Teams Perform at Cambridge Fundraiser
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., – On Saturday, March 1, the All Asia bar and cafe will host a regional qualifier for the National Poetry Slam. The event will feature performance poets from all over the Northeast in a free, all-ages show.
Teams from Bar 13 in New York, Hampshire County in Massachusetts, and Portland, Maine will duke it out in a regional slam to see who will win a spot to the National Poetry Slam in Madison this August. This match will feature poets from at least five states, ranging from total rookies to nationally renowned performers.
The show will also feature performances from special guests, including the Emerson College slam team. Maxwell Kessler, Carrie Rudzinski, Steve Subrizi, and Carlos Williams represented Emerson College at a recent four-team college regional and won a spot at the 2008 College Nationals. This will be their first feature performance together.
Doors for this show open at 3:00 and poetry begins promptly at 3:30. Emerson College will feature first, with the poetry slam capping off the afternoon.
This show is all-ages and free. The Boston Poetry Slam will pass the hat to help raise money for the Emerson College Slam team’s April trip to Nationals. All Asia respectfully requires a one-drink minimum for patrons of the show.
All Asia
334 Massachusetts Ave.,
Cambridge, MA 01239
http://www.allasiabar.com
The Boston Poetry Slam
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
press@slamnews.com
100
General Discussion / Re: Special Local Events (Northeast Region)
« on: February 17, 2008, 12:11:14 PM »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2008
You’re invited to a Boston Poetry Slam fundraiser at the Harpoon Brewery!
On Thursday, March 6, the Boston Poetry Slam will bring three veteran performance poets to a fundraising event at the Harpoon Brewery’s tasting room. Throughout the event, Harpoon will be serving tasting samples to audience members, giving poetry lovers a chance to try some of Harpoon’s varieties of ale, stout, and cider, brewed right on-site at the Boston brewery.
Headlining the show will be local poet Erich Hagan, a local poet, musician, and sound engineer. Erich’s been a perennial finalist at the Boston Poetry Slam since 2004 and attended the National Poetry Slam with the Providence Slam Team in 2007. His work merges the raw intensity and purposeful presence of the Providence scene and the dense, risk-taking lyricism demanded by Boston; this year, the combination made him the winner of the Boston Poetry Slam World Qualifier.
The show will also include Boston Poetry Slam poets Artie Moffa and Simone Beaubien. Artie, the Boston Poetry Slam’s tie-sporting New Formalist, combines fluid technical grace with dry wit and wordplay to produce a breezy yet honest sound. The SlamMaster of the Boston Poetry Slam, Simone Beaubien, will also bring her emotive storytelling to the Harpoon stage.
Harpoon’s generous donation of their delicious product is part of the Harpoon Helps philanthropic effort; every year, Harpoon Brewery donates thousands of dollars in merchandise, beer, and volunteer hours to charitable events. Harpoon’s assistance at this event will help raise travel and application expenses for Erich Hagan to represent the Boston Poetry Slam at 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam in Columbus, Ohio.
Due to the open bar nature of this event, attendance at the show is by invitation only. By virtue of your membership in PSI, you are invited to attend. Hope to see you there!
Poetry and Beer @ the Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
http://www.harpoonbrewery.com
doors at 5:30, poetry from 6:00-7:30
21+, $5 requested donation
By invitation only!
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
press@slamnews.com
March 6, 2008
You’re invited to a Boston Poetry Slam fundraiser at the Harpoon Brewery!
On Thursday, March 6, the Boston Poetry Slam will bring three veteran performance poets to a fundraising event at the Harpoon Brewery’s tasting room. Throughout the event, Harpoon will be serving tasting samples to audience members, giving poetry lovers a chance to try some of Harpoon’s varieties of ale, stout, and cider, brewed right on-site at the Boston brewery.
Headlining the show will be local poet Erich Hagan, a local poet, musician, and sound engineer. Erich’s been a perennial finalist at the Boston Poetry Slam since 2004 and attended the National Poetry Slam with the Providence Slam Team in 2007. His work merges the raw intensity and purposeful presence of the Providence scene and the dense, risk-taking lyricism demanded by Boston; this year, the combination made him the winner of the Boston Poetry Slam World Qualifier.
The show will also include Boston Poetry Slam poets Artie Moffa and Simone Beaubien. Artie, the Boston Poetry Slam’s tie-sporting New Formalist, combines fluid technical grace with dry wit and wordplay to produce a breezy yet honest sound. The SlamMaster of the Boston Poetry Slam, Simone Beaubien, will also bring her emotive storytelling to the Harpoon stage.
Harpoon’s generous donation of their delicious product is part of the Harpoon Helps philanthropic effort; every year, Harpoon Brewery donates thousands of dollars in merchandise, beer, and volunteer hours to charitable events. Harpoon’s assistance at this event will help raise travel and application expenses for Erich Hagan to represent the Boston Poetry Slam at 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam in Columbus, Ohio.
Due to the open bar nature of this event, attendance at the show is by invitation only. By virtue of your membership in PSI, you are invited to attend. Hope to see you there!
Poetry and Beer @ the Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
http://www.harpoonbrewery.com
doors at 5:30, poetry from 6:00-7:30
21+, $5 requested donation
By invitation only!
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
press@slamnews.com
101
General Discussion / Re: Cookie issues in Firefox
« on: February 13, 2008, 04:48:45 PM »
Just to chime in: I've been experiencing the same problem. I believe this is a new issue which started after the big poetryslam.com relaunch.
Thanks for mentioning it, Jesse.
--simone
Thanks for mentioning it, Jesse.
--simone
102
General Discussion / Re: Your input RIGHT NOW for NPS
« on: February 08, 2008, 02:12:16 PM »
Oh! Why didn't I reply to this working-with-teens thing before? I must have missed it in the big list...
Anyway. I recommend Alex Charalambides from Worcester. He runs the Worcester Youth Slam single-handedly and has done good work for the Providence scene, too.
Anyway. I recommend Alex Charalambides from Worcester. He runs the Worcester Youth Slam single-handedly and has done good work for the Providence scene, too.
103
General Discussion / Re: WOWPS Registration
« on: January 16, 2008, 03:12:51 PM »
Just to set the record straight, "boycotting" is not exactly the term for Hampshire's relationship to WOWPS. Like many of other venues, Hampshire has simply chosen not to send a representative.
I am pretty sure that no venue from Massachusetts is participating this year. Dane, that probably does qualify you as "without a certified venue."
I am pretty sure that no venue from Massachusetts is participating this year. Dane, that probably does qualify you as "without a certified venue."
104
General Discussion / Third Annual Attleboro Poetry Slam! $200 prize!
« on: January 05, 2008, 11:58:30 PM »
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston Poetry Slam Presents Poetry at the Attleboro Arts Museum
Attleboro, Mass., – The Boston Poetry Slam is proud to presend the Third Annual Attleboro Arts Museum Poetry Slam on Saturday, January 19, 2008, in Attleboro, Mass.
The afternoon event will kick off with an open poetry slam, a competition in which poets perform their work and are judged Olympic-style by members of the audience. Storytelling, lyricism, and stand-up comedy all come together in this modern oral tradition of poetry. Participants will include students from Attleboro High School and the Network School, showcasing some of the area’s local young poetic talent.
The slam will be hosted by the SlamMaster of the Boston Poetry Slam, Simone Beaubien. In addition to five years of national poetry slam competition with the Cantab Slam Team, Simone can lay claim to a myriad of MC credits, including a recent stint as the Finals Night host for the 2007 Individual World Poetry Slam in Vancouver, B.C.
The centerpiece of the show will feature poetry sets from Beaubien and Worcester poet and musician Sou MacMillan. A veteran of the early and mid-nineties Columbus, Ohio indie music scene, Sou MacMillan is also the former co-editor of Poetry Fly and sole editor for Omnivore magazine. MacMillan has competed on four National Poetry Slam teams for Worcester, including the championship finalist team in 1997. She has completed two novels; the most recent, Chrysanthemum, is available on Lethe Press.
The show will culminate with an adult poetry slam. Entry is open to the public and all interested comers are invited to throw their names in the hat to compete for the top cash prize of $200! All-star competitors will include past Attleboro champions Ryk McIntyre and Artie Moffa, plus, no doubt, a few ringers from the surrounding poetry slam scenes.
This show is a cooperative effort between the Attleboro Arts Museum and the Boston Poetry Slam, and is made possible by a generous grant from the Attleboro Cultural Council. Admission is free, although donations to the museum will be graciously accepted.
The youth slam portion of the show begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. Featured performers Simone Beaubien and Sou MacMillan will follow, then a brief intermission, then the poetry slam, which will wrap up by 5:00. This all-ages event is handicapped accessible.
Attleboro Arts Museum
86 Park Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
508.222.2644
http://www.attleboroartsmuseum.org
The Boston Poetry Slam at The Cantab Lounge
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
cantab@slamnews.com
Boston Poetry Slam Presents Poetry at the Attleboro Arts Museum
Attleboro, Mass., – The Boston Poetry Slam is proud to presend the Third Annual Attleboro Arts Museum Poetry Slam on Saturday, January 19, 2008, in Attleboro, Mass.
The afternoon event will kick off with an open poetry slam, a competition in which poets perform their work and are judged Olympic-style by members of the audience. Storytelling, lyricism, and stand-up comedy all come together in this modern oral tradition of poetry. Participants will include students from Attleboro High School and the Network School, showcasing some of the area’s local young poetic talent.
The slam will be hosted by the SlamMaster of the Boston Poetry Slam, Simone Beaubien. In addition to five years of national poetry slam competition with the Cantab Slam Team, Simone can lay claim to a myriad of MC credits, including a recent stint as the Finals Night host for the 2007 Individual World Poetry Slam in Vancouver, B.C.
The centerpiece of the show will feature poetry sets from Beaubien and Worcester poet and musician Sou MacMillan. A veteran of the early and mid-nineties Columbus, Ohio indie music scene, Sou MacMillan is also the former co-editor of Poetry Fly and sole editor for Omnivore magazine. MacMillan has competed on four National Poetry Slam teams for Worcester, including the championship finalist team in 1997. She has completed two novels; the most recent, Chrysanthemum, is available on Lethe Press.
The show will culminate with an adult poetry slam. Entry is open to the public and all interested comers are invited to throw their names in the hat to compete for the top cash prize of $200! All-star competitors will include past Attleboro champions Ryk McIntyre and Artie Moffa, plus, no doubt, a few ringers from the surrounding poetry slam scenes.
This show is a cooperative effort between the Attleboro Arts Museum and the Boston Poetry Slam, and is made possible by a generous grant from the Attleboro Cultural Council. Admission is free, although donations to the museum will be graciously accepted.
The youth slam portion of the show begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. Featured performers Simone Beaubien and Sou MacMillan will follow, then a brief intermission, then the poetry slam, which will wrap up by 5:00. This all-ages event is handicapped accessible.
Attleboro Arts Museum
86 Park Street
Attleboro, MA 02703
508.222.2644
http://www.attleboroartsmuseum.org
The Boston Poetry Slam at The Cantab Lounge
Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
http://www.slamnews.com
cantab@slamnews.com
105
General Discussion / Re: Wishing you and yours................
« on: November 24, 2007, 11:21:24 AM »
Mmmmm. Pie.