History of the Women of the World Poetry Slam

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The Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) is a yearly poetry slam tournament put on by Poetry Slam, Inc. that pits individual slam poets from around the world that "live their lives as women"^[1] against one another.

Contents

• 1History
• 2Format
• 3Tournament results by year
• 4See also
• 5References
• 6External links

History[edit]

In 2008, the Women of the World Poetry Slam (WOWPS) was introduced, in which only female and female-identified poets are allowed to compete.^[2] WOWPS was the brainchild of Kimberly Simms (PSI EC 2005-2007) and Deborah Marsh. The first WOWPS was held in Detroit, Michigan and the first WOWPS champion was Andrea Gibson.

In late 2015, the languaging around inclusion was updated to read: "Competition at WOWps is limited to poets who live their lives as women. Qualified poets include female assigned or identified individuals who are PSi members and are 18+ years of age, including gender non-conforming individuals."^[3]

Format[edit]

The tournament has two days of preliminary rounds, in which poets compete in 1, 2, 3, and 4 minute bouts. Poets read a 4-minute (or less) poem in the 1st round. In the 2nd, they read a 1-minute (or less) poem. On the 2nd night of the competition, poets will read against a different slate of poets and most of them will be in a different venue. In the 1st round, they will read a 2 - minute (or less) poem. In the 2nd round, they will read a 3 minute (or less) poem. At the conclusion of each mini-bout, the poet will receive a ranking of 1-6 based on placement within competition groups. All poets within a mini bout (usually consisting of 6 poets) perform first round, then all poets in same group perform second round with calibration between rounds.

After the preliminary bouts are completed, the poets with the highest scores and ranks advance to the finals. The poet next in line for Finals is designated the calibration poet. All poems in the finals are 3 -minute (or less) poems, with a 20 second grace period. A single poem performed during preliminary bouts may be repeated on Finals. Finals for the Women of the World Poetry Slam will include the top 10-14 scoring and ranking poets based off of total number of participating poets.

There will be 2 sacrificial/calibration poets before finals begins, from the next two ranks of poets who didn’t make finals (for instance, if there are 14 finalists, poets ranked 15 and 16 will be invited to be the sacrificial poets at finals). All finalists will read in the 1st round; the 7 poets with the highest scores move on to the second round. These 7 poets read another poem and the top 4 go to the final round. These 4 poets will each read 1 more poem, and the high score of that round is the Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion. If there is a tie between the top 2 poets, they read 1 more poem in a sudden death match, or they agree to share the title. In a sudden death match, judges indicate which poet they prefer by choosing one poet or the other (no scores) and the champion is crowned.^[4]

Tournament results by year[edit]

Year	Winner	Runners Up	Number of Competitors	Host City
2020	Imani Cezanne	(2) Ayanna Albertson (3) Lady Brion (4) Carlynn Newhouse (5) Chima (6) Liv McKee (7) TIE - Tianna Bratcher & Rubi (9) LaChell the Shoota (10) TIE - Clarity Levine & Aris Kian (12) AP (13) Bee Tha Poet (14) Ashlee Connors	84	Dallas, TX
2018	FreeQuency[5]	(2) iCon (3) RADI (4) Mia S. Willis (5) Melania Luisa (6) TIE - Glori B. & Ashley Lumpkin (8) Muna Abdulahi (9) Meccamorphosis (10) Angelica Maria (11) Imani Cezanne (12) TIE - Jazmyne Smith & Mercedez Holtry (14) Ariana Brown	96	Dallas, TX
2017	TIE - Ebony Stewart & Oompa[6]	(3) Ashley August (4) Jasmin Roberts (5) TIE - Shyla Hardwick & Ifrah Hussein (7) Roya Marsh (8) Barbara Fant (9) Alex Tha Great (10) GiGi Bella (11) TIE - Shae & Jane Belinda & Natasha Hooper & Eccentrich	96	Dallas, TX
2016	TIE - Imani Cezanne & Emi Mahmoud[7]	(3) iCon (4) Honey Sanaa (5) Shasparay Lighteard (6) Taylor Steele (7) Rheonna Thornton (8) Elizabeth Acevedo (9) TIE - Crystal Valentine & Confidence & Tanesha Nicole (12) Chrysanthemum Tran	96	Brooklyn, NY
2015	Janae Johnson[8]	(2) Roya Marsh (3) TIE - Mercedez Holtry & Desiree Dallagiacomo (5) TIE - Taylor Steele & Angelique Palmer & Samira Obeid (8) Confidence Omenai (9) Samantha Peterson (10) FreeQuency (11) Miss Haze (12) Kwene	72	Albuquerque, NM
2014	Dominique Ashaheed[9]	(2) Imani Cezanne (3) Denice Frohman (4) Carrie Rudzinski (5) Janae Johnson (6) Venessa Marco (7) Melissa May (8) Candace Liger (9) Megan Falley (10) Giddy (11) elizag (12) Erin Claridy	72	Austin, TX
2013	Denice Frohman[10]	(2) Dominique Ashaheed (3) Falu (4) Porsha Olayiwola (5) Denise Jolly (6) Theresa Davis (7) Eris Zion Venia (8) TIE - T. Miller & Sierra DeMulder & Suzi Q Smith (11) Meg Waldron (12) Laura Lamb Brown-Lavoie	72	Minneapolis, MN
2012	Dominique Ashaheed[11]	(2) Porsha Olayiwola (3) Kait Rokowski (4) Joanna Hoffman (5) Lauren Zuniga (6) TIE - Olivia Gatwood & Whitney Greenway (8) Melissa May (9) Miss Haze (10) Krista Mosca (11) Kay Kron (12) DeAnn Emett	72	Denver, CO
2011	Theresa Davis[12]	(2) Gypsee Yo (3) Suzi Q Smith (4) Rachel Wiley (5) T. Miller (6) Safia Elhillo (7) Lacey Roop (8) Franny Choi (9) Joanna Hoffman (10) Tova Charles (11) Mahogany L. Browne (12) Jerrica Escoto	72	Columbus, OH
2010	Eboni Hogan[13]	(2) Airea "Dee" Matthews (3) Chauncey Beaty (4) Laura Yes Yes (5) Miss Wise (6) Megan Rickman (7) Original Woman (8) Tristan Silverman (9) Nicole Homer (10) Gypsee Yo (11) Sierra DeMulder (12) Hannah	72	Columbus, OH
2009	Rachel McKibbens[14][15]	(2) Gypsee Yo (3) Dee Mathews (4) Ocean (5) T. Miller (6) TIE - Bethsheba & Chauncey Beaty (8) The Original Woman (9) Theresa Davis (10) TIE - Faylita Hicks & Taaj Freeman (12) Red Summer	71	Detroit, MI
2008	Andrea Gibson	(2) Isis (3) T. Miller (4) Nicole Homer (5) Sonya Renee (6) Tara Hardy (7) Karyna McGlynn (8) Original Woman (9) Christena B. (10) Ami Mattison (11) D.E.E.P. (12) Ms. Wise[16]	70	Detroit, MI

See also[edit]

• Denice Frohman
• Individual World Poetry Slam
• List of performance poets
• National Poetry Slam
• Oral poetry
• Performance poetry
• Poetry Slam
• Poetry Slam, Inc.
• Spoken word

References[edit]

1. ^ "Women of the World - Eligibility".
2. ^ Poetry Slam, Inc. Website: WOWPS page
3. ^ Poetry Slam, Inc. Website: WOWPS News page
4. ^ "Women of the World Poetry Slam - Scoring".
5. ^ "WOWPS 2018 : Finals".
6. ^ "WOWPS 2017 : Finals".
7. ^ "WOWPS 2016 : Finals".
8. ^ "WOWPS 2015 : Finals".
9. ^ "WOWPS 2014 : Finals".
10. ^ "WOWPS 2013 : Finals".
11. ^ "WOWPS 2012 : Finals".
12. ^ "Theresa Davis wins national poetry slam".
13. ^ "Eboni Hogan, 2010 WOWps Winner".
14. ^ "Women of the World Poetry Slam - 2009 Results".
15. ^ "Rachel McKibbens!".
16. ^ "Women of the World Poetry Slam - Friday (3/14/2008) Results".

External links[edit]

• Official Women of the World Poetry Slam Homepage
• Official Poetry Slam Incorporated Homepage

Third Sedona Poetry Slam of the 2014-2015 season takes place Saturday, Jan. 3

Poets are invited to compete at the third Sedona Poetry Slam of the 2014-15, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre, 2030 W. State Route 89A, Suite A-3.

Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists. While many people may think of poetry as dull and laborious, a poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays. All types of poetry are welcome on the stage, from street-wise hip-hop and narrative performance poems, to political rants and introspective confessionals. Any poem is a "slam" poem if performed in a competition. All poets get three minutes per round to entertain and inspire the audience with their creativity.

Poets in the slam come from as far away as Phoenix, Tucson and Flagstaff, competing against adult poets from Sedona and Cottonwood, college poets from Northern Arizona University, and youth poets from Sedona Red Rock High School's Young Voices Be Heard slam group.

All poets are welcome to compete for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. The prize is funded in part by a donation from Verde Valley poetry supporters Jeanne and Jim Freeland.

To compete in the slam, poets will need three original poems, each lasting no longer than three minutes. No props, costumes nor musical accompaniment are permitted. The poets will be judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive.

The slam will be hosted by Sedona poet Christopher Fox Graham, who represented Northern Arizona on seven FlagSlam National Poetry Slams in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Graham has hosted the Sedona Poetry Slam since 2009. Contact Graham at foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up to slam.

Tickets are $12. Click here, or call Mary D. Fisher Theatre at 282-1177 or visit SedonaFilmFestival.org.

The slam is the third the 2014-15 season, which will culminate in selection of Sedona's fourth National Poetry Slam Team, the foursome and alternate who will represent the city at the National Poetry Slam in Oakland, Calif., in August. There are seven slams in the regular season, six in Sedona and one in Clarkdale. The final Grand Poetry Slam takes place on June 6, to determine the team.

The local poets will share the stage with 350 of the top poets in the United States, Canada and Europe, pouring out their words in a week-long explosion of expression. Sedona sent its five-poet first team to the 2012 National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C., its second to the 2013 NPS in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., and its third to Oakland, Calif., in August.

Women of the World Poetry Slam Qualifier

This slam is also the qualifier for Sedona’s representative to the International Women of the World Poetry Slam, to be held in Albuquerque, N.M., from March 18 to 21. The highest-ranked female or female-identified poet from earns Sedona’s WOWps slot.

Poets who live their lives as women are eligible to participate in the Women of the World Poetry Slam. Competitors are eligible from certified venues or as individuals from areas without certified venues (aka “Storm” poets).

All competitors must be PSI members in good standing and must agree to participate in the event following the rules of Slam as well as the Code of Honor, and must allow for PSI to videotape their performances for PSI owned product.

What is Poetry Slam?

Founded in Chicago in 1984 by construction worker Marc Smith, poetry slam is a competitive artistic sport. Poetry slams are judged by five randomly chosen members of the audience who assign numerical value to individual poets' contents and performances. Poetry slam has become an international artistic sport, with more than 100 major poetry slams in the United States, Canada, Australia and Western Europe.

Jeremiah Blue features at the Sedona Poetry Slam on Saturday, Feb. 16

Jeremiah Blue features at the Sedona Poetry Slam on Saturday, Feb. 16

Sedona's Studio Live hosts a poetry slam Saturday, Feb. 16, starting at 7:30 p.m. featuring Phoenix poet Jeremiah Blue and hosted by Sedona poet Christopher Fox Graham.

Tickets are $10 if you buy them now. On the day of the slam, tickets are $12, so buy them now!

The Feb. 16 poetry is slam is also the qualifier for Sedona's representative to
the International Women of the World Poetry Slam

All poets are welcome to compete for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. The prize is funded in part by a donation from Verde Valley poetry supporter Jeanne Freeland.

The slam is the fourth of the 2012-13 season, which will culminate in selection of Sedona's second National Poetry Slam Team, the foursome and alternate who will represent the city at the National Poetry Slam in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., in August.

The local poets will share the stage with 300 of the top poets in the United States, Canada and Europe, pouring out their words in a weeklong explosion of expression. Sedona sent its five-poet first team to the 2012 National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C.

To compete in the slam, poets need at least three original poems, each three minutes long or shorter. No props, costumes or musical accompaniment are permitted. All types of poetry are welcome.

The slam will be hosted by Graham, who represented Northern Arizona on six FlagSlam National Poetry Slams in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010 and 2012.

Contact Graham at foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up to slam.

Jeremiah Blue

Jeremiah Blue features at the Sedona Poetry Slam on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Jeremiah Blue is a Phoenix-based poet that has organized, hosted, and performed in the poetry slam scene since 2006. He has performed at a variety of venues throughout the country.

Currently, Blue co-hosts a weekly poetry slam in downtown Phoenix at Lawn Gnome Bookstore.

In 2007, he earned the title of Phoenix Poetry Slam Champion and has represented Phoenix twice at the National Poetry Slam. He also became the Individual Poetry Slam Champion for Phoenix in 2012, earning him the slot to represent the city at the Individual World Poetry Slam.

You can reach him on Facebook or you can email him at jsblue@gmail.com for more information or booking.

Women of the World Poetry Slam Qualifier

This slam is also the qualifier for Sedona's representative to the International Women of the World Poetry Slam, to be held in Minneapolis from March 6-9. The highest ranked female or female-identified poet from earns Sedona's WOWps slot.

Eligibility: Poets who live their lives as women are eligible to participate in the Women of the World Poetry Slam. Competitors are eligible from certified venues or as individuals from areas without certified venues (a.k.a. “Storm” poets). Certified venues have a window of time to enter before individuals not associated with certified slams are able to enter. All certified venues must have a competition to determine their contestants.

All competitors must be PSI members in good standing and must agree to participate in the event following the rules of Slam as well as the Code of Honor, and must allow for PSI to videotape their performances for PSI owned product.

What is Poetry Slam?

Founded in Chicago in 1984, poetry slam is a competitive artistic sport. Poetry slams are judged by five randomly chosen members of the audience who assign numerical value to individual poets' contents and performances.

Poetry slam has become an international artistic sport, with more than 100 major poetry slams in the United States, Canada, Australia and Western Europe.

All types of poetry are welcome on the stage, from street-wise hip-hop and narrative performance poems, to political rants and introspective confessionals. Any poem is a "slam" poem if performed in a competition. All poets get three minutes per round to entertain their audience with their creativity.

2013 Sedona National Poetry Slam Team

Competing poets earn points with each Sedona Poetry Slam performance between September and May. Every poet earns 1 point for performing or hosting. First place earns 3 additional points, second place earns 2 and third place earns 1.

Based on points, the top 12 poets in May are eligible to compete for the four slots on the Sedona Poetry Slam Team, which will represent the community and Studio Live at the 2013 National Poetry Slam in Boston. Poets can compete for multiple teams during a season and still be eligible to compete in the Sedona team.

For poetry slam standings, videos from past slams, and updates, visit foxthepoet.org.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the event, available at Golden Word Books and Music, 3150 W. SR 89A, and online at studiolivesedona.com.

Studio Live is located at 215 Coffee Pot Drive, West Sedona. For more information, call (928) 282-2688.

“Shit Poets Say” video by Meg Waldron

“Shit Poets Say” video by Meg Waldron.

Yes, the “Shit ___ Say” meme is fairly played out, so much so that meta “Shit People Say About 'Shit People Say' Videos” are making the rounds. Case in point:

Shaun Srivastava wins the third Sedona Poetry Slam of the 2011-12 National Poetry Slam Season

Photo courtesy of Tara Graeber

Shaun Srivastava wins the third Sedona Poetry Slam of the 2011-12
National Poetry Slam Season.

Shaun Srivastava wins the third Sedona Poetry Slam of the 2011-12 National Poetry Slam Season.

Calibration: Christopher Fox Graham, of Sedona, “Poetic Babysitting”

Round 1
Random Draw
Calibration: Gary Every, of Sedona

The Klute, of Phoenix, 23.3, 22.3 after 1.0 time penalty, 3:28
Spensor Troth, of Flagstaff, 26.2, 25.2 after 1.0 time penalty, 3:25
Michelle Peterson, of Sedona, 20.2, 3:02
Lauren Perry, of Phoenix, 25.7, 2:45
Tara Pollock, of Flagstaff, 24.7, 2:42
Ryan Brown, of Flagstaff, 29.2, 3:02
Mary Elizabeth Skene, of Sedona, 25.3, 2:05
Josh Wiss, of Flagstaff, 28.4, 2:26
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix, 25.8, 1:55
nodalone, of Flagstaff, 28.7, 2:40
Valence, of Flagstaff, 26.2, 2:46

Teaser: Aaron Johnson, of Phoenix

Round 2
Reverse Order

Valence, of Flagstaff, 23.8, 2:46, 50.0
nodalone, of Flagstaff, 27.5, 2:51, 56.2
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix, 28.8, 2:36, 53.8
Josh Wiss, of Flagstaff, 24.6, 2:20, 53.0
Ryan Brown, of Flagstaff, 24.5, 1:25, 53.7
Tara Pollock, of Flagstaff, 26.5, 25.0 after 1.5 time penalty, 3:35, 49.7
Lauren Perry, of Phoenix, 27.3, 2:17, 53.0
Michelle Peterson, of Sedona, 25.6, 20.1 after 5.5 time penalty, 4:59, 40.3
Spensor Troth, of Flagstaff, 24.8, 3:07, 50.0
The Klute, of Phoenix, 29.5, 29.0 after 0.5 time penalty, 3:15, 51.3

Mary Elizabeth Skene, of Sedona, left the slam before round 2

Aaron Johnson, of Phoenix, was the feature poet at the Sedona Poetry
Slam on Feb. 18.

Feature: Aaron Johnson, of Phoenix

Sorbet: Sasha Anderson, of Flagstaff

Round 3
High to Low (Top 7)

nodalone, of Flagstaff, 28.7, 3:10, 84.9
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix, 26.8, 2:52, 80.6
Ryan Brown, of Flagstaff, 29.2, 3:07, 82.9
Lauren Perry, of Phoenix, 27.8, 2:47, 80.8
Josh Wiss, of Flagstaff, 28.4, 2:24, 81.4
The Klute, of Phoenix, 29.7, 1:33, 81.0
TIE: Valence, of Flagstaff, 27.3, 1:59, 77.3
TIE: Spensor Troth, of Flagstaff, 26.5, 2:42, 76.5

Final Scores

nodalone, of Flagstaff, 84.9

Ryan Brown, of Flagstaff, 82.9

Josh Wiss, of Flagstaff, 81.4

The Klute, of Phoenix, 81.0
Lauren Perry, of Phoenix, 80.8
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix, 80.6
Valence, of Flagstaff, 77.3
Spensor Troth, of Flagstaff, 76.5
Tara Pollock, of Flagstaff, 49.7
Michelle Peterson, of Sedona, 40.3
Mary Elizabeth Skene, of Sedona, 25.3

Women of the World Poetry Slam qualifier

Lauren Perry, of Phoenix, 80.8
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix, 80.6
Tara Pollock, of Flagstaff, 49.7
Michelle Peterson, of Sedona, 40.3
Mary Elizabeth Skene, of Sedona, 25.3

Scorekeeper: Alun Wile
Cameramwoman: Azami

Sedona National Poetry Slam Team
Slamoff Point Standings
7 points
Ryan Brown, of Flagstaff
6 points
nodalone, of Flagstaff ✓
5 points
The Klute, of Phoenix ✓
Rowie Shebala, of Phoenix ✓
4 points
Josh Wiss, of Flagstaff
3 points
Christopher Fox Graham, of Sedona
Frank O'Brien, of Prescott
Lauren Perry, of Phoenix
Tara Pollock, of Flagstaff
2 points
Christopher Harbster, of Flagstaff
Spencer Troth, of Flagstaff
Valence, of Flagstaff
Mikel Weisser, of Kingman
1 point
Jahnilli Akbar, of New York City
Bert Cisneros, of Cottonwood
Ellenelizabeth, of Sedona
Evan Dissinger, of Flagstaff
Gabbi Jue, of Flagstaff
Jack Egan, of Sedona
Gary Every, of Sedona
Josh Goldberg, of Oak Creek Ranch School
Michelle Peterson, of Sedona
Kendra Kenj Shebala, of Flagstaff
Mary Elizabeth Skene, of Sedona
0.5 points
Sasha Anderson, of Flagstaff
Gary Bowers, of Phoenix
Danielle Silver, of Sedona
✓ = won a Sedona Poetry Slam