Detroit's major destination for spoken word performances, the Max M. Fisher Music Center launches a new season of poetry slams on Thursday, September 20 at 8 p.m. Held in The Music Box at The Max, Kalimah Johnson of PicNap Poetry returns as host of the six slams which are sponsored by Starbucks Coffee.
Spinning musical selections will be Dj InCredibul of Detroit. Cash prizes, Starbucks gift cards and tickets to DSO events are awarded to the top slam poets of each event. New this season is a youth poetry slam on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2008, open to teens ages 13 to 18. The competitors will present works based on the theme of "Freedom, Love, Civil Rights and World Peace."
Poetry slams, in which poets perform their work and are judged by select members of the audience, are open to all. Each poet is allowed three minutes (plus a ten-second grace period) to read one poem. Each poem must be of the poet's own construction and the poet may not use props, costumes, or musical instruments in their presentation. Poets are free to recite any style of poem on any subject. Poets do not need to pre-register to compete in Poetry Slams at The Max. A sign-up sheet will be available on the night of the event.
Additionally, spoken word artists participating in slams at The Max and other metro Detroit venues can compete for spots on the 2008 Detroit Poetry Slam Team, as well as an opportunity to read at the Individual World Poetry Slam and the Women of the World Poetry Slam. The Detroit Poetry Slam Finals, which determine the team that advances to the national championship, take place at The Max on April 19, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Poetry slams and other spoken word events have been held at The Max since the summer of 2004 as part of the DSO's mission to expand and diversify the organization's music and cultural offerings. The slams are also sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan. -- www.detroitsymphony.com
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