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Da Boogie Man Wins Calabash Web Slam

Da Boogie Man Makes PSI History (Again)

The year 1997 was a huge turning point in the history of poetry slam. It was the year Poetry Slam, Inc. was born and began the move from rag-tag band of associated poets to a growing literary organization and movement that is reaching across the continent and the globe. It was also the year a man won the individual top poet's title for the first time in Poetry Slam's history.

Da Boogie ManThey call him Da Boogie Man and back then he hailed from Cleveland, OH. Now he hosts the hugely popular Los Angeles Elements poetry slam. And today, fans of poetry slam from all over have named Da Boogie Man the winner of the first ever NPS sponsored WebSlam and the recipient of a trip for two to the Calabash International Literary Festival in Jamaica. Clearly something was working right for him as he captured a total of 59.9% of all the votes in the field of four former Individual National Poetry Slam champions.

Mike McGeeIn second place, and also qualifying for a trip for two to Jamaica for the festival, which is sponsored by our partners at The Jamaica Tourist Board and the Calabash International Literary Festival , is Mike McGee. Mike's second place goes with his previous titles as Individual National Poetry Slam Champion and Individual World Poetry Slam Champion. He is the only poet in history to hold both titles and that makes him a great choice to participate in the Calabash International Literary Festival.

PSI can be proud to be represented by these two poets internationally. Well done to all.
 
 
NEA Grant Awarded to PSI

NEA LogoThe National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) has awarded Poetry Slam, Inc. (PSI) a grant of $7,500 to support the 2007 National Poetry Slam (NPS) to be held in Austin, TX this coming August. PSI is extremely grateful to be recognized by the NEA and is honored to receive this grant. The NEA continues to show its commitment to the art of performance poetry through its ongoing support of PSI’s National Poetry Slam events.


The National Endowment for the Arts Grants for Arts Projects program supports artistic agencies and organizations in implementing projects of the highest artistic quality. PSI applied under the Access to Artistic Excellence category; the objective of which is to foster and preserve excellence in the arts and provide access to the arts for all Americans.


PSI’s annual NPS event brings together teams of poets from across the US and from countries as close as Canada and as far away as France. Each year, the poets on the winning team at NPS are crowned Poetry Slam National Champions and take home not only bragging rights, but a cash prize as well. Previous winners of this prestigious event have received book and recording contracts and have appeared on television in such programs as HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. This year 75 teams are slated to participate in the largest ever NPS event.

 

PSI continues to seek additional partnerships and funding support for its spokenword events. For more information on partnering with PSI. please contact PSI's Development Director, Sharon Skinner, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
FameCast.com Holds $10,000 Spoken Word Contest

Austin, TX – This August, 75 teams of poets will gather to rock the mic in the Texas heat as the National Poetry Slam (NPS) returns to Austin for the second straight year.  In addition to the competitions, side events, and level of talent that have made NPS the premiere spoken word event in the world, this year’s national event will feature a new twist.

Five poets will compete for a $10,000 prize thanks to National Poetry Slam sponsor, Famecast.com.

 
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Children of Slam: LA Poets Talk Hard

by Ratpack Slim

Ask people in LA who go to spoken word shows or poetry slams what makes them so special and they'll let you in on the secret: poets put on three-minute shows and spit the most thoughtful pop songs you've ever heard; they make music with their mouths and they preach like it's revival time. Lovers become superlovers; revolutionaries hop on the soapbox and scream, 'cause they can't take it anymore, at least for three solid minutes. In a poetry slam, men and women launch their thoughts, hopes and dreams out into the universe for approval, and someone gets to score them on a scale of 1 to 10. It's an art form that keeps the poet relatively humble and the audience always urging for more.
Read more...
 
Metaphor Magazine Launches Online
 

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April 30, 2007
 
CONTACT: Matt Peiken, editor/publisher
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it • (651) 260-8265
 

WHAT: Debut of METAPHOR, an online magazine dedicated to slam/performance poetry.
WHEN: National launch – April 30, 2007
WHERE: metaphormag.com
ABOUT:
METAPHOR styles itself as “the Rolling Stone of performance poetry,” bringing
performance poets and their art to a mainstream audience. The magazine mixes
traditional print journalism with video and audio, focusing on American and Canadian
artists who write/compose poetry primarily or exclusively for performance rather than
for the printed page. As a lifestyle and culture magazine, METAPHOR is as fun and
entertaining as it is illuminating and thought-provoking, engaging visitors not only in
the poetry, but in the people, personal stories and social issues fueling this
contemporary art form.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY:
Speak with founding editor/publisher Matt Peiken about
the roots, rationale and reach of METAPHOR. We can also put you in touch with
slam/performance poets about the uniqueness and need for this magazine.
Read more...
 
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