Each Wednesday, an eccentric group of people—all spoken word enthusiasts–gathers at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge for one of the city’s best-kept secrets. The Boston Poetry Slam is devoted “to the craft, performance, and enjoyment of poetry,” according to its website.
For just $3, you can hear some of the area’s best poets, up-and-coming and established. The slam commences at 8 p.m. with the popular open mic segment, which allows anyone to present his or her work. No prior experience is necessary, but to participate, you have to sign up in person directly before the show. It’s advisable to arrive by 7:15, when the doors open, if you want to get your name on the list. Each performer is given three minutes to make an impression, and any topic is fair game. The two-hour open mic is a warm-up for the evening’s featured act. New England poet Ryk McIntyre and Jade Sullivan, the author of Kissing Oscar Wilde, as well as a number of National Poetry Slam competitors and college students have been among the performers.
The night concludes with a fast-paced poetry slam. The first eight people to sign up are entered into the competition. The three-round, head-to-head contest provides a $10 prize and a spot in the Champion of Champions poetry slam. Props, costumes, or musical accompaniments are not allowed. A panel of audience members judges each round and decides the winner. The goal is to engage the audience with originality and style.
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