open mics/slams in San Francisco?

topic posted Mon, December 4, 2006 - 4:49 PM by  Renakid
I'm new to the area, are there any regular slams or open mics for poetry in the city? I gotta get it out!
posted by:
Renakid
Minnesota
  • Re: open mics/slams in San Francisco?

    Mon, March 12, 2007 - 12:54 PM
    SF/The City Slam & Experimental Mic.
    --Next Slam: SUN, March 18.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    ---San Francisco Slam is back and in full effect.
    WE ARE SENDING A TEAM TO NATIONALS !!! We LOVE the
    new venue. Our first show will be on Sunday,
    March 18th, and every Second Sunday thereafter.

    ---WHO: Mona Webb (former Baton Rouge Slaminatrix)
    & Charles Ekabhumi Ellik (Berkeley Slammaster:
    www.berkeleypoetryslam.com) host the event. Latin
    grooves on the 1’s & 2’s provided by: DJ Agana.

    ---FEATURING: Minneapolis' hilarious Thadra
    Sheridan & Baton Rouge's champion, Xero Skidmore.
    www.xeroskidmore.com

    ---WHAT: A Spoken Word variety show built around a
    competition. The audience chooses who wins the
    $100, $30, and $20 Cash Prizes. Ultimately, 4
    poets will be selected to represent San Francisco
    at the National Poetry Slam in August 2007.
    www.poetryslam.com

    ---WHERE: The Poleng Lounge. It's a new spot in
    the old Storyville, where the SF Slam was held in
    '03. Oh Boy oh Boi they've remodeled the place and
    the spot is bangin. Its got a fresh vibe, very
    urban, very cosmopolitan. The food is incredible
    and better still, affordable. They have this fried
    Calamari dish and famous Sweet Potato fries that
    are just fabulous! There's a very extensive list of
    exotic teas to boot. Plus it is ALL AGES! And if
    that isn't enough, it was also named one of the Top
    10 Restaurants in the Bay Area by the SF Chronicle.
    www.polenglounge.com/

    ---WHEN: Sunday, March 18th, 2007. Sign Ups: 7:30,
    Show: 8:30-11:30pm.

    ---WHY: To create a forum for creative expression
    that embodies the power of the poetry slam
    community and welcomes the authenticity and
    brilliance of experimentation. We will blend
    layers of music, dance, spoken word and all
    artistic avenues of creative expression together to
    create a rose bud of delight.

    ---HOW: The format of the show will be a mixture
    of Experimental Artists and Slam Poets alternating
    on stage. Slam Poets have a 3-minute time limit,
    Open Mic performers get 4 minutes. Those who sign
    up to perform will indicate if they wish to be
    judged or not. Only performers respecting the
    slam rules may qualify for the prizes and slam
    team.

    ---THE STORY: In 1989, San Francisco native Gary
    Mex Glazner invented the National Poetry Slam,
    inviting teams of poets from slam venues across
    North America to participate. In '97, Gary handed
    off the title of "San Francisco Slammaster" to
    Charles Ellik. In '99, SF won the National Poetry
    Slam. Marc Bamuthi Joseph took over the SF Slam,
    and the legendary Second Sundays was born, the
    largest slam in the world.

    ---In 2003-06, Several different organizers then
    ran the slam, and while the Slam Team did well at
    Nationals, the slam itself foundered. In '06,
    after many years of co-hosting the legendary Baton
    Rouge slam, Mona Webb moved to the Bay Area to
    study at New College. She met Charles, and they
    agreed to combine their decades of experience to
    revive the SF Slam.

    ---FOR YOU SLAM INSIDERS: The SF Slam is certified
    through the old venue, so the rankings earned by
    poets at Bistro Yoffi will count toward qualifying
    for the team.

    ---The City Slam & Experimental Open Mic.
    Poleng Lounge. 1751 Fulton Ave @ Masonic.
    2nd Sundays MONTHLY. 7:30 sign-up, 8:30 show.
    ALL AGES. $7 Door. $100 Cash Prizes.
    Hosts: Mona Webb & Charles Ekabhumi Ellik.
    Grooves provided by: DJ Agana.
    Info: thecityslam @ yahoo. com
    www.polenglounge.com/
    TRANSIT: Cars: Pay garage across the street
    under Albertson's. BART: from Civic Center,
    exit toward 6th St, walk N. to McAllister,
    take the 5 Fulton Bus. www.sfmta.com
    CARPOOL: 3-5 fans, show us your ticket from the
    garage, everybody gets $2 off admission.

Recent topics in "Slam Poetry"