Get ready, Valley slam poetry-lovers. This week, Phoenix will host the internationally known Individual World Poetry Slam for the first time in history.
Not only will the Valley's own Myrlin Hepworth stand as the Phoenix representative, Arizona’s entire slam poetry community is involved to ensure that this week finally puts Phoenix on the map as a notable arts district, said Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, head coordinator of the Phoenix iWPS.
“I would love to, after this is done, have a whole renaissance of Phoenix poetry and to see it on places like BuzzFeed, so that people can view the struggles and lifestyle we have here in Phoenix,” Hopkins-Johnson said last month as plans for the upcoming competition were still being settled.
It seems that Hopkins-Johnson’s dream will soon become a reality through the many workshops and open-mic nights he and his developers have coordinated to make this week memorable.
But, excitement aside, do you still have no idea where you would like to go? No worries. Here is a selection of the many events you can attend this week:
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Last Chance Slam Lawn Gnome Publishing, 7 - 10 p.m., 905 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
Image courtesy of iWPS Foundation
Because representatives for the official iWPS competition have already been chosen by their separate communities, this aptly named Last Chance Slam will offer another opportunity for any remaining poets who think they have what it takes to claim the last spot of the competition. This will make for an intense night at the otherwise quaint Lawn Gnome Publishing. Tensions will run high as poets fight for their chance in the spotlight to claim their place as a competitor for the rest of the week.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Haiku Deathmatch Lawn Gnome Publishing, 10 a.m. - noon, 905 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/1477891142470781/?ref=5)
Haikus are often placed on the backburner in the scheme of modern poetry, but this year's iWPS hosts believe that the 17-syllable art form is something worth fighting for. This event will be a crazed free-for-all for both audience members and poets alike, so prepare for an interesting mix of poetry from all sorts of levels, from both poetic rookies and professionals. Take a seat and enjoy the fun, or test your chances to become this year's haiku deathmatch champion. The choice is yours.
Poesia de Español Lawn Gnome Publishing, 3 - 5 p.m., 905 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
Image courtesy of iWPS FoundationSince the official iWPS competition centers primarily around English, this event offers any señor or señorita a chance to share their poetic talents in America's second most popular language. Use this opportunity to share your own Hispanic poetry or, for those who are still in an intermediate level course, test your comprehension abilities. You'll make your professors very proud.
Spoken Word Music The Lost Leaf, 9 - 11 p.m., 914 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/1471692123113238/?ref=5)
Warning: This event is only accessible by ages 21 and over because the venue offers alcohol. If you fit into this category, however, prepare for a night of melodic spoken word. Competitors are to share pieces of literature, political speeches or even personal dialogue either on their own or accompanied by some form of music, adding a brand new interpretation to their pieces. Local radio host Aran "Catalyst" Kelly will host the show, offering a fresh new voice to the diverse range of spoken word.
Friday, Oct. 10
Erotica Slam The Lost Leaf, midnight - 1:30 a.m., 914 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
Image courtesy of iWPS FoundationSign up or sit down (and be sure to cross your legs) for this year's steamy Erotica Slam. Poets will read sexy poetry in all its moaning, lust-driven glory for those who are ready to get intimate with the poets before closing time. Warning: This event is probably a bad first date idea, but a terrific fourth. Use with caution.
Pitchfork Poetry Slam (for college students) ASU Downtown Post Office, 3 p.m., 522 N. Central Ave. Phoenix, Ariz.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/1487822628165305/?ref=5)
For students who are new to the slam poetry scene here in Phoenix, the Pitchfork Poetry Slam will be a perfect introduction. College students from all over Arizona are free to participate by signing up and performing in three rounds of original slam poetry, hosted by ASU's own poetry enthusiast, Hattie Jean Hayes. Come throw up your pitchforks for your fellow coeds as they represent ASU!
If interested in competing, remember that your content must be original and may not exceed three minutes and ten seconds in length. Good luck!
Queer Open Mic Practical Art, 11 p.m., 5070 N .Central Ave. Phoenix, Ariz.
Image courtesy of iWPS FoundationThis event is in honor of all things lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and more. If you consider yourself a member or supporter of the LGBTQ community, come show your support at the Queer Open Mic, where participants will share their stories in any written form. This event will be hosted by local Joy Young, who encourages all participants to share three minutes of original writing with the Phoenix community, in perfect time for National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11. Come share your story.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Transgressing Borders Workshop Fair Trade Cafe (Civic Space), 10 a.m., 1020 N. 1st Ave. Phoenix, Ariz.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/298159433706420/?ref=5)
No, this event is not a geography lesson. Instead, participants will share the importance of gender, race, class and more through the art of spoken word. Here, intersectionality will be explored to demonstrate the truth behind the different privileges and discriminations all humans may experience. This will be an extremely enlightening workshop which everyone can appreciate.
Nerd Slam
Angels Trumpet Ale House, 1 p.m., 810 N. 2nd St. Phoenix, Ariz.
Image courtesy of iWPS FoundationNot all poetry has to be serious. At this year's Nerd Slam, crazed Trekkies and "Harry Potter" fanatics will take the stage to bond over their obsessions. Before attending this event, be sure to prepare by binge-watching the "Big Bang Theory" and all regenerations of "Doctor Who." The premise is to ditch all criticism and simply allow two nerds to take the stage at a time to compete for the title of "biggest nerd." It's time for all those years of bullying to prove worthwhile.
Limerick Slam
Lawn Gnome Publishing, 3 p.m., 905 N. 5th St. Phoenix, Ariz.
(https://www.facebook.com/events/568922559902663/?ref=5)
In case your years of mandatory poetry readings are behind you: a limerick is a poem that is is five lines long with two pairs of rhyming couplets and a last line which mirrors the first. Often, these poems are designated for jokes or nursery rhymes, so be sure to visit Lawn Gnome for a Limerick Slam before heading over to the Marquee for the iWPS finals. This event will act as a relaxing palate cleanser before the big show. Plus, you might just hear about that mysterious old man from Nantucket for the first time since childhood.
For more event listings, check out the iWPS Facebook page.
Above all these workshops, however, the most significant poetry slam of the week will be hosted at the Individual World Poetry Slam itself. To attend this legendary event, buy your ticket at iwps.poetryslam.com.
Reach the reporter at aplante@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @aimeenplante
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