Friday, November 13, 2009

Poetry Slam Update: October & November

Well, its been a busy couple of months in South Florida: weather cools down, poetry HEATS UP!

In October, Asia delivered a roaring and hysterically funny feature at Dada, returning to his original 'home-turf' venue with a ton of performing and competition experience under his belt. WE LOVE YOU ASIA! Check out his venue: Mellow Mondays at Cafe Bluster in Hollywood.

Jashua Sa-Ra stopped by before heading out to compete at the Individual World Poetry Slam in Berkeley, CA THE NEXT DAY... and he's glad he did, taking the win and $100 in extra cash to Cali... Joey Leto and Kristi Williams placed second and third respectively.

A few weeks ago, Tod Caviness flew down on vacation from his work with Orlando Sentinel to entrance and amuse us. It felt like a family re-union for a minute: Chunky and I sat down to chat and then Amy Steinberg and her boyfriend Brad joined us for dinner. By the time Tod walked in, we were already swapping stories about olden days (like, four years ago! ok, so, not that old...).

In the slam, I broke the rules and let the audience decide whether or not to enforce a time-penalty...they jeered it down, putting 5 poets in the final round. Chunky came out on top, easily 3 points ahead of the pack. Steve Crist and Cristina rounded out the top three.

Looking ahead...ROB STURMA, aka Rat Pack Slim, stops in Delray on tour Dec 1...
BIO: ROB STURMA has been getting open on mics since 2000, when a sweet California lass brought him to the Los Angeles open mic Da Poetry Lounge, and where he subsequently fell in love with the art of performance poetry
and spoken word. He performed for a number of years unde...r the
monicker Ratpack Slim, and during those years, he was on the Los Feliz
Slam Team two years running (2003-2004), made it to the finals stage
with Team Hollywood in 2005, and as slammaster of Western Regional slam team Gang Green, took three teams to Big Sur, rocking nationally ranked teams outta
their seats. He was the host of the seminal Los Angeles open mic
Green from 2003-2007, featuring everyone from Jack Hirschmann to Andrea
Gibson (Buddy Wakefield and Mike McGee neck in neck for most repeat features). He was the poetry editor for GetUnderground.com and Kotori Magazine, did a series of webstories called "Children of Slam" for kcet.org, was seen in the documentary Sp!t, and on the BET show "The Way We Do It". David Alan Grier gave him a 9.5 in a Comedy Central slam pilot, Snakes On A Plane/ Wolverine producer Jeff Katz called Rob's poetry "outstanding", and Hardcore Legend Mick Foley said Rob's poem about him "gave him goosebumps". His new full-length book of poems Miles of Hallelujah will be available on Write Bloody Press in Fall 2009.
VIDEO LINKS:
"Whatever We Are Not":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xB2V5pPf8k

"Mick Foley" (as seen on TNAWrestling.com):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXrszEbHjHQ


AUDIO LINK:

"Lost Highway Bar and Grill", on Indiefeed:
http://www.indiefeedpp.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=518817

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Upcoming events!

Did you know about the Florida Poetry Events blog?
http://floridapoetryevents.wordpress.com

I update it about every week or so, and it is a STATE-WIDE event listing for poetry open mics and slams! Notice something missing, or want to add your event? Email me: hypertextual@yahoo.com and I'll add it!



RISE OUT LOUD Teen writing and performance workshops at the downtown West Palm Beach Library- FREE! Next workshop Saturday Oct 3, 1pm!

NEXT SLAM: October 6, featuring HBO Def Poet ASIA. PLUS a cash slam! NO Cover! Only at Dada, 52 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach! See you on the sign up list!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Woot! Poets Anonymous is back!

In full effect!
Thanks to all who came out last night, and SPECIAL THANKS to competing poets:
Pure Blood
Flow Diva
Chris L
Sunshine
Joshua Sa-Ra
The New Sense
Matt Dardick
Cheryl Ellis

AND EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS TO AMYYYYYY!!! I heart girls that rock. Amy's set was a lively uplift for me and all in attendance- thanks for shining your love light on us!

Congratulations to the top 3:
Joshua Sa-Ra
Flow Diva
Pure Blood

Check us out next month: featured HBO Def Poet Asia! And A SLAM!

Peace
Casandra

Monday, August 24, 2009

Slam update: June, July & August

Thanks to all the poets who have participated monthly since the re-emergence of the Delray Beach Poetry Slam on June 2!!! Special thanks to Lizz Straight for kicking us off in pure exhiliration, and to Marya for stepping in to host July 7- AS IF WE NEEDED further proof that Florida poets ROCK!

THIS MONTH: If you missed us on Tuesday August 4 it is because we were engrossed by the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach!!! Hundreds of poets in 68 teams from all over the US (AND France, Vancouver and Toronto!) descended on Clematis St for 5 days of sizzling wordplay. Trust, IT WAS HOT!

Congrats to our first place winners from June 2(Therese "Chunky" Hill) and July 7(Joshua Sa-Ra)! Each walked away with a $100 cash prize from Poets Anonymous! Will YOU be the next winner?

Poets Anonymous: Delray Beach Poetry Slam!
First Tuesdays at Dada!
52 N Swinton Ave
Downtown Delray Beach!
561.330.3232


In September, we have the good graces to welcome back Amy Steinberg! Poet, Songwriter, touring musician and recording artist, Amy puts on a show like no other. She infuses her work with positive affirmation and a true celebration of LIFE! Check out her myspace page for more info! http://www.myspace.com/amysteinberg

See you Tuesday September 1! Cash prize slam and AMY STEINBERG (love!)!
Peace!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

We're BAAAACK! First Tuesday of Each Month at DADA!

Poets Anonymous- Delray Beach Poetry Slam
First Tuesday of each month
@ DADA in downtown Delray Beach
(52 N Swinton Ave, 561.330.3232)

THIS MONTH: September 1- Poets Anonymous features Amy Steinberg! Plus a $100 Cash prize for first place in the slam! Sign up at 9:30pm, Slam starts at 10pm.


NEXT MONTH: October 6- Poets Anonymous features Asia! Plus $100 Cash prize for first place in the slam! Sign up at 9:30pm, Slam starts at 10pm.