Austin Poetry Slam

"My favorite thing about slam poetry is how freeing it is as a form," Strack said. "A lot of people hear the word 'poetry' and then get turned off. They think of form poetry. They think of sonnets and quatrains and haiku and things that are very rigid where you have to write in a certain way. Slam poetry is just you and your words and a microphone. That's it. It gives you the opportunity to say anything in a supportive and uncensored environment."

A Leander resident and slam poet known as Glori B. is competing with four other APS regulars in the 2014 National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California, this August. Last year she competed with local poetry slam team Neo-Soul, which won the Group Finals national team competition. She was also named Haiku Champion at the 2013 National Poetry Slam. She said competing in national contests has allowed her to travel more than she previously had in her entire life.

"It has expanded my worldview in a personal sense, in a political sense and in a geographical sense," she said. "It has pried me open and continues to do so."

APS began hosting its slams at the Spiderhouse Ballroom in 2011 because of Spiderhouse's history as a performing arts venue and its proximity to The University of Texas, Strack said. Before Spiderhouse Ballroom, APS performed in venues such as Ego's on South Congress Avenue and The Electric Lounge before it burned down in the 1990s. Although the weekly slam is held near the university's campus, it attracts a smorgasbord of ages and cultures, slam poetry veterans and new Austinites, he said.

"The poetry slam movement has been going on a long time," Strack said. "Currently it is really having a big resurgence in the youth community with shows like 'Brave New Voices' on HBO, and the whole youth poetry slam movement has really exploded. So it made sense to be at the heart of youth culture in Austin, which I think is UT."

Providing a competition platform for poetry draws in larger audiences, Glori B. said. Slam poetry has become popular in Austin because of the city's highly educated community and its hunger for live performances of all varieties, she said. Her advice for anyone who wants to be a slam poet is to have utmost confidence.

"One, have something important to say, and two, have the swagger of a prophet," she said.

Slam rules

Want to compete in a poetry slam? Sign up on Tuesdays at the Spiderhouse Ballroom before 8 p.m. Organizers of the slam will then draw names at random to determine the order in which poets will perform. If more than 12–14 participants sign up, poets may not be able to perform until the following slam. Here are some rules you need to know:

1. The poem must be an original work.

2. No costumes or props are allowed.

3. Music is not allowed, except for the sounds you can make with your body.

4. Poems must be performed in three minutes or less.

5. Only one person is allowed to perform the work.

Poets, poets, poets

Jacob Dodson–Playwright, poet, and screenplay and short story writer Jacob Dodson has been a slam poet since about fall 2009 when he was a student at The University of Texas. Dodson describes his style of poetry as mostly comedic. One of his favorite poems that he wrote is called "Things I've Learned Since Losing My Virginity," a piece he says has "delightfully too much information."

"Competition is certainly challenging," he said. "Producing anything is challenging ... either motivational or making the piece the best that it can be or finding the time to do something for its own sake."

Jomar Valentin–A competitor in the National Poetry Slam contest this fall with four other Austin poets, Jomar Valentin said he incorporates comedy into his work while still remarking on serious topics.

The University of Texas graduate who studied English, French and philosophy has been slamming for five years.

"I like to put a little bit of a light touch into the poems and inject a little bit of my personality into it," he said. "Making people laugh is awesome. It's a great way to make people listen if you make them laugh, but that is not my M.O."

Austin Poetry Slam, Spiderhouse Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St., $5 cover charge, www.austinslam.com,www.facebook.com/austinpoetryslam, Doors open 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays