Competitions have been part of two different Cascadia Poetry Festivals. (2014 and 2015). This year we did not find volunteers willing to facilitate a slam, but we were blessed with interest from the Slam community to stage a Cascadia Regional Poetry Slam as a co-sponsored event. Ben Hunter’s yet-to-be-opened venue in Hillman City, Black & Tan, turned out to be a perfect place to hold such an event and it is happening in less than a month! From the organizers Ian Martinez:
The 2016 Cascadia Regional Poetry Slam brings together eight teams from the Northwest to compete in a two-day tournament of the region’s finest poets. Each team, representing a slam venue in a different part of Cascadia, is aiming for a spot in next year’s National Poetry Slam in Denver, CO, which they can guarantee with a win. Spoken word poetry exists to promote audience participation, give voice to the marginalized, and build community; over 30 of the country’s fiercest poets will compete for the pride of representing their community and speak their truth on the national stage. Which city will capture the glory?
Friday: Prelims! Two slams of 4 teams each compete for a chance at finals. Top 2 teams from each move on.
Saturday: Finals! Top 4 teams compete to become Cascadia Poetry Slam champions!
Competing teams include Seattle Poetry Slam, Rain City Poetry Slam, Olympia People’s Mic, Vancouver Poetry Slam,Portland Poetry Slam, Spokane Poetry Slam, Boise Poetry Slam, and Slamlandia.
