Urbana Poetry

WELCOME TO URBANA POETRY SLAM!

Here's what a typical night at Urbana is like (sometimes we mix up the format, but this is usually it): poets sign-up for the eight-poet Open Mic or the eight-poet Open Slam between 6:30 PM and 7:00 PM. At 7:00 PM exactly, all slots are filled randomly by computer. Signing up is *not* a guarantee that you will be able to read. We typically have more poets than open slots so sometimes you must be part of the "great audience that great poetry requires."

At 7:01 PM we begin the Open Mic which is immediately followed by our feature who performs a 15- to 20-minute set. (Urbana does not book "local" features; our features are all from out-of-town, and most have been enlisted from their appearances at the National Poetry Slam.) After a break (during which five audience members are chosen randomly to serve as judges) the slam begins.

SLAMS: They're competitive, sure, but URBANA SLAMS are also supportive and inclusive. All kinds of poetry are welcome. Memorization is not required. New work is hugely supported (and required if you make it to Round 2 in an Open Slam!). Open Slam winners move on to Semifinal Slams and Semifinal winners move on to compete in Finals in an effort to earn a slot on the NYC-Urbana NPS Team. For specific rules and information on earning points, please contact our Slammaster, Jeanann Verlee at [jeaverlee (at) hotmail (dot) com] or at [urbanaslammaster (at) gmail (dot) com].

Is there a prize for winning an Urbana Poetry Slam? YES!! Each Open Slam WINNER will receive a GOLDEN TICKET! (Well, what the heck is that good for?) FREE ADMISSION to Urbana Poetry Slam...for the rest of the season! (Winner must present the Golden Ticket at the door for every slam.) ONLY slam winners qualify for the Golden Ticket – they are NOT for sale! So get your best poems ready, come out to Urbana and SLAM to WIN!!

Have more questions? Reach out to our Slammaster, Jeanann Verlee at [jeaverlee (at) hotmail (dot) com] OR at [urbanaslammaster (at) gmail (dot) com].

Thanks for your interest in Urbana Poetry Slam!!

2012-2013 WEEKLY SLAM TRACKING

Slam (Theme) 09/04/12 iWPS Qualifier Slam
1 Thuli Zuma

Slam 1.1 09/11/12 Feature: Patricia Smith
1 Usman Hamedi
2 Miles Walser
3 Karen Grace
4 Jeanann Verlee

Slam 1.2 09/18/12 Feature: Eboni Hogan
1 Maya Phillips
2 Nina Robins
3 Jaime Martin
4 Jennie Runk

Slam 1.3 10/02/12 Feature: Jeffrey McDaniel
1 Catalina Ferro
2 Antonia Lassar
3 Miles Walser
4 Ben Golden

Slam 1.4 10/09/12 Feature: Derrick Brown
1 Ian Khadan
2 Aaron Samuels
3 Jaime Martin
4 Jennie Williamson

Slam 1.5 10/16/12 Feature: Ken Arkind
1 Aaron Samuels
2 Karen Grace
3 Usman Hamedi
4 Ingamar Ramirez

Slam S1 10/23/12 Feature: Lynne Procope
1 Catalina Ferro

Slam 2.1 11/06/12 Feature: Ethan Rivera
1 Jeanann Verlee
2 Taylor Mali
3 Emily Keller
3 Jaime Martin

Slam 2.2 11/13/12 Feature: Sophia Holtz
1 Joanna Hoffman
2 Taylor Mali
3 Simone
4 Jaime Martin

Slam 2.3 11/20/12 Feature: Sam Sax
1 Shawn Randall
2 Taylor Mali
3 Karen Grace
4 Mariel Pauline

Slam 2.4 12/04/12 Feature: Mike McGee
1 Elizag
2 Hala
3 Taylor Mali
4 Jorge

Slam 2.5 12/11/12 Feature: Chris August
1 Olivia Gatwood
2 Simone Davis
3 Jaime Martin
4 Taylor Mali

Slam S2 12/18/12 Feature: Roger Bonair-Agard
1 Elizag

Slam (Theme) 01/08/13 DIVA / WOWps Qualifier Slam
1 Thuli Zuma

Slam 3.1 01/15/13 Feature: Stevie Edwards
1 Christopher Jelly Stanley
2 Simone Davis
3 Thoms Fucaloro
4 Usman Hameedi

Slam 3.2 01/22/13 Feature: Suzi Q.
1 Olivia Gatwood
2 Simone Davis
3 Thomas Fucaloro
4 Karen Grace

Slam 3.3 01/29/13 Feature: Adam ShatoKat Bowser
1 Usman Hameedi
2 Taylor Mali
3 James Merenda
4 Karen Grace

Slam (Theme) 02/05/13 Feature: Simone Beaubien
1 Nuyorican Win & You're In Team Slam
2 Urbana
3 LouderARTS
4 White Plains

Slam 3.4 02/12/13 Feature: Ocean Vuong
1 Joanna Hoffman
2 Jaime Martin
3 Ingamar Ramirez
4 Cage

Slam 3.5 02/19/13 Feature: Sarah Kay
1 Usman Hameedi
2 Karen Grace
3 Simone Davis
4 Dante

Slam 3.6 02/26/13 Feature: Houston Hughes
1 Zachary Karon
2 Karen Grace
3 Christopher Jelly Stanley
4 Jaime Martin

Slam S3 03/05/13 Feature: Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz
1 Joanna Hoffman

Slam 4.1 03/12/13 Feature: William Evans
1 Zach Goldberg
2 Lily Myers
3 Dave Harris
4 Emi Mahmoud

Slam 4.2 03/19/13 Feature: Franny Choi
1 Usman Hameedi
2 Ingamar Ramirez
3 Christopher Jelly Stanley
4 Aaron Samuels

Slam (Theme) 03/26/13 Decathlon Slam
1 Team VerleeBirds (no points)

Slam 4.3 04/02/13 Feature: Marty McConnell
1 Omar Holmon
2 Ingamar Ramirez
3 Christopher Jelly Stanley
4 Tatyana

Slam 4.4 04/09/13 Feature: Mikumari
1 Lamar Hill
2 Ingamar Ramirez
3 Simone Davis
4 Jaime Martin

Slam 4.5 04/16/13 Feature: Al Ortolani
1 Karen Grace
2 Anna-Kay
3 Aaron Samuels
4 McPherson

Slam 4.6 04/23/13 Feature: Rachel Wiley
1 Aaron Samuels
2 McPherson
3 Anna-Kay
4 Tatyana

Slam S4 04/30/13 Feature: Omoizele Oz Okoawo
1 Aaron Samuels

MQS 05/07/13
1 Karen Grace
2 Olivia Gatwood
3 Thuli Zuma
4 Usman Hameedi

FINALS 05/11/13
1 Thuli Zuma
2 Aaron Samuels
3 Olivia Gatwood
4 Catalina Ferro

Tags: Performance Venue