Poetry slams have come a long away since 1985, when the Chicago Poetry Ensemble began reading their work at the old Get Me High Lounge in Bucktown. Today there are poetry slams in every city large enough to support a coffeehouse or two. A decade ago, Chicago poetry slam pioneer Marc Smith and some local colleagues went to San Francisco to face off against their Bay Area counterparts in what turned out to be the first National Poetry Slam. When the the event was last held in Chicago, in 1990, poets from eight cities competed. This year 48 teams from all over the U.S. and Canada are taking part; and though Wicker Park and Uptown remain the heart of the local slam scene, the championship final will take place in the Loop, at the sprawling, ornate Chicago Theatre.
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The 10th Annual National Poetry Slam runs through August 14. Preliminary and semifinal bouts take place Thursday and Friday evening (three bouts per night) at the following Wicker Park venues: the Guild Complex at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, 773-296-1268, ext. 26; the Subterranean Cafe & Cabaret, 2011 W. North, 773-278-6600; the Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, 773-489-0011; Phyllis’ Musical Inn, 1800 W. Division, 773-486-9862; and Roby’s, 1944 W. Division, 773-252-9250. The championship final takes place at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Admission to preliminary bouts on Thursday is $5 at the door; tickets for Friday’s semifinals are $10 at the door. Tickets for Saturday’s finals are $18, and can be purchased at the Chicago Theatre box office in advance or the night of the show, or by phone from Ticketmaster, 312-559-1212. Four-day, all-event passes are $30 and are available at www.ticketweb.com or by calling 312-726-4849. In addition, Sheila’s Slam Museum, 2850 W. Fullerton, is open daily through August 14 from 11 AM to 5 PM, hosting various performances and displaying memorabilia documenting the history of the Poetry Slam. Additional free daytime and late-night events take place at Mad Bar, 1640 N. Damen, 773-227-2277, and at other venues as shown in the listings below. (These listings are based on updated information made available by slam organizers this week and may be subject to change.) General information on the National Poetry Slam is available at www.poetryslam.com or by calling 708-848-8007.
The Oyez Review sponsors a discussion; participants include Marc Smith, Jeff Helgeson, Reggie Gibson, Taylor Mali, Lisa Martinovich, and Guy LeCharles Gonzalez. Roosevelt University, second-floor lounge, 430 S. Michigan, noon to 1 PM.
Hiss! The All-Female Open Mike
This open mike features Latin-American poets. Subterranean, 1:30 to 3 PM.
David Kodeski’s True Life Tales: Another Lousy Day
Anacron hosts. Mad Bar, 3:30 to 6 PM.
