As we approach the final six weeks before the 2015 National Poetry Slam, poets all over the country are writing, choreographing, practicing and performing in preparation for this year’s slam. Fans, too, are scrambling for a spot to see some of the best poets in the country with only two days remaining to purchase their tickets (with finals included).
Unfortunately, not all of us are Oakland born and bred, and the earnings from our unpaid summer internships aren’t going to pay for a plane ticket to California. I’m currently situated in Boston, and my minimal summer income will mean sulking in front of computer screens and eagerly awaiting the release of one video at a time. I will scroll down my Twitter feed desperately trying to see which teams make it to finals and retweeting killer one-liners from poems I haven’t yet heard.
Fortunately, though, these teams aren’t always preparing without an audience. In fact, nationwide teams are holding slam events to unveil new poems, garner community support and raise funds for their own travel to Oakland — and the Boston team is among them.
The House Slam team will be the first to represent Boston proper (rather than Cambridge) on the National Poetry Slam stage. The team is comprised of five members, including two breathtaking black poets.
Porsha Olayiwola holds the 2014 Individual World Poetry Slam title.
Her teammate, Janae Johnson, won the 2014 Women of the World Poetry Slam.
With their expertise and several wins under their belts, Olayiwola and Johnson along with teammates Erich Haygun, Jonathan Mendoza and Melissa Lozada-Oliva are going to make Boston’s team a force to reckon with at nationals.
On Thursday, July 2nd at the Haus Slam, the team will perform both new group pieces and personal pieces. And, rumor has it there might be some special guest features.
Just one week later, on Friday, July 10th, the team will be hosting The Year of the House Slam: Anniversary Celebration — and they need you to join. Bring your own poems, step up to the open mic and get ready for feature poets that will leave you speechless.
If you’re still craving truth-spitting, jaw-dropping slam, you can join The House Slam along with three other Northeast regional teams and the host team, The Boston Poetry Slam Team (of Cambridge), across the river at the Cantab Lounge on Wednesday, July 15th.
Follow the teams pages to keep up on their whereabouts for the rest of the summer, and if Boston is just as far from you as California, click here to find slams near you (and maybe featuring your local team).
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