http://austinslam.com/newsite/ Austin Poetry Slam en-us Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:20:02 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Austin Poetry Slam News http://backend.userland.com/rss http://austinslam.com/newsite/images/logo.gif http://austinslam.com/newsite/ http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=106 It's the last few days before our poets head off to represent at the National Poetry Slam. That means that tonight, Wednesday, is our kickoff party as AUSTIN POETRY SLAM rolls into the Scoot Inn, 4th and Navasota. Show starts at 8 pm. And that show? Why, none other than the world-famous DECATHALON SLAM!!! We pick teams kickball style, and put the poets through ten events, some of which even involve poetry. Also count on seeing ... Improv! Sock puppets! Scrabble! Trivia! Several rounds that we make up as we go along! Let's keep in mind the unofficial slogan of the Decathalon Slam Movement: "The points are not the point, the point is combining a poetry reading with competitive eating." Hosted by Mike Henry and Phil West. This Saturday night, please join us for: Ruta Maya World HQ / 3601 S. Congress / 8 pm Proceeds to benefit the Shannon Leigh Memorial Fund. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:20:02 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=105 As many of you know, our friend and beloved poet Shannon Leigh passed away on Monday. See Michael Barnes' blog on austin360.com for more details. Tonight, we slam. If there's ever been a night for all of us to get together, raise a glass or two and generally tear the roof off the sucka, tonight is that night. Red's Scoot Inn. East 4th and Navasota, 8 pm. $100 in cash prizes. And mark your calendars for Aug. 2: THEY CALL ME WARRIOR A Tribute to Shannon Leigh Ruta Maya, 8 pm Watch this space for details. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:52:21 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=104 There is a big giant POETRY SLAM tonight in Austin. You don't wanna miss it. Know why? There's a SCRIMMAGE between Team Austin and Team Acme. Plus, there's $100 in prizes and some of the most electric, provocative spoken-word artistry goin' down. Tonight. The Scoot. 8:00 p.m. Be there. Andy Buck hosts. DJ Blue Valentine blows up the joint. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:08:42 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=103 Come one! Come all! I'm hosting a poetry slam tonight. THE poetry slam, in fact. This ain't your grandma's poetry reading. And we have a special guest poet, David Hendler, from San Antonio. He's a former Austinite and current champion of the San Antonio Poetry Slam. Tonight, Wednesday. 8:00 p.m. The Scoot Inn (4th and Navasota, four block east of I-35 on 4th St.) Music. Poetry. Energy. You can't beat it. Wed, 21 May 2008 15:05:37 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=102 Peoples, Break out your PDA's, iCals, little planning books, or a sharpie to write this information on your hand because we have two fantastic opportunities for you to get your AUSTIN POETRY SLAM on. To wit: 1. SLAM AT THE SCOOT Today is Wednesday and thus we gather at ye olde Scoot Inn at the corner of 4th and Navasota, just a few blocks east of I-35. Open signup with $100 in prizes for the slam, judged by five members of the audience, hosted tonight by yours truly. IN ADDITION, we have a pair of our very favorite featured poets: CRISTIN O'KEEFE APTOWICZ & SHAPPY SEASHOLTZ These two spoken word stars hail from NYC and fly their geek flags proudly. Touring in support of Cristin's incredible book, "Words in your Face: A Guided Tour Throught Twenty Years of the New York City Poetry," published by Soft Skull Press. The book is mind-blowingly good and Cristin's poetry is too. Her touring partner and sweetie, one Shappy Seasholtz, is an honorary Austin slammer and has rocked our socks many times with hilarious nerd anthems and social commentary. No kiddin' -- these two will put on one of the best shows of our season. Don't sleep. 2. FRIDAY NIGHT IS HUGE! Okay, so nobody should be at home this Friday night. First off, you can head over to Book People at 7 pm to get in on the booksigning for "Words in Your Face" which will feature a reading by Cristin and a special (and hilarious) three-round slam featuring many fave Austin slammers from today and yesteryear. Then ... roll over to the big show at 501 Theater: SPOKEN WORD II: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO & SPINNING THE BOTTLE First up at 8 pm, catch the one-woman tour de force, SPINNING THE BOTTLE: an Existential Comedy for the Cynical Romantic, featuring our homegirl KRISSI REEVES. Two-time alumnae of our slam team, Krissi moved up the road to Dallas and has been rockin' em like we knew she would. Spinning the Bottle won two awards at the recent DFW Fringe Festival. Come see why. Then, we get our nerd on. SPOKEN NERD, PEOPLE!! This showcase will feature a whole bunch of poems about a whole bunch of nerdy stuff. Our guests from NYC will lead the pop culture-infused charge, and you have a rare chance to catch a featured set by Austin slam legend ERNIE CLINE. As if that wasn't enough, there will be an all-star cast of local nerds. Mike Whalen? Tony Jackson? Phil West? Erin Livingston? Element 615? Oh yes, just to name a few. Plus musical guests STRANGE POWERS and the newest, flyest, geekiest hip hop crew in town, SHOW ME TIGER! featuring Austin slammer SUZY LA FOLLETTE. Yes friends, raise your hands in the air and wave them as if there were no reprocussions ... Plus trivia, giveaways, video, and more. The venue for this nerdy joint is 501 THEATER (myspace.com/501theater), which is located at East 5th and Brushy, only one block east of I-35. Parking lot a stone's throw away. Alrighty. There ya go. Hope to see all y'all. Wed, 14 May 2008 15:06:48 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=101 Every Wednesday, the Austin Poetry Slam throws down the most electric spoken-word artistry in the country!!! And tonight is no exception. Come one, come all, and check out the best show in Austin. This is NOT your grandmother's poetry reading. This is rock-and-roll. This is hip-hop. This is comedy. This is theatre. And there's $100 on the line. AUSTIN POETRY SLAM Wednesday, April 30 8:00 p.m. Red Scoot Inn (corner of 4th St. and Navasota, quarter-mile east of I-35 on 4th.) Andy Buck hosts. Dj Blue Valentine spins. And the poets get ... crunk. See you tonight!!!! Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:24:02 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=100 Your taxes are done! So come celebrate that good news at the Austin Poetry Slam on Wednesday, April 16. It's that simple: You come. Poets burn the microphone down with their performances. We all have a drink. Judges score. Money is awarded. As always, sign-up is open to anyone, beginning at 7:30. And the slam begins at about 8:00 p.m. The Austin Slam is hotter than ever, so get there early and grab a seat. Only 3 bucks for this quality of entertainment? That's a steal. Andy Buck hosts. DJ Blue Valentine spins. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:25:49 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=99 That's right. At 7:30 on Tuesday, April 8, the 2008 edition of the Austin Poetry Slam-off kicks off. A couple of hours later, we will know which five poets will represent you, Austin, at the 2008 National Poetry Slam in August. This is, quite simply, the do-not-miss poetry slam event of the entire year. Austin Poetry Slam-Off Tuesday, April 8 7:30 p.m. Long Center for the Performing Arts (just opened and friggin' GORGEOUS) Tickets on sale @ the door (for $14) or online, by visiting http://thelongcenter. frontgatesolutions. com You will see these poets competing at the Slam-off: Andy Buck Rob C. Ruff Draft Lacey Christopher Lee Erin Livingston Tony Jackson Da’Shade Moonbeam Emily Shafer Danny Strack Along with special feature poets Anis Mojgani, Zell Miller III, and Cry Havoc Action Choreography. Your esteemed Slam Master, Mike Henry, hosts the festivities. And slam favorite DJ Nicknack will be on the ones and twos. Come on out. Don't be late. Get rowdy. And represent Austin. We'll see you Tuesday night. Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:25:09 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=98 You don't want to miss the Austin Poetry Slam Semifinals on April 2nd. The top 10 remaining slam poets will battle it out for a spot in the Austin Slam-Off (taking place April 8 @ the Long Center). Come see the best spoken-word artists compete in the last slam before the BIG SHOW. What big show, you ask? The Austin Slam-Off, of course ... Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:34:24 GMT http://austinslam.com/newsite/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=97 Tonight (March 26th) at 8pm is Quarterfinals at the Austin Poetry Slam! We're expecting a great show, so be sure to come to the Scoot early to get a good seat. And we're less than two weeks away from the 2008 FINAL SLAM-OFF at the long center! Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:22:20 GMT