"Love At First Sight" by Landry Ntaryamira

Landry Ntaryamira performing "Love At First Sight" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

Peter Capaldi reads a letter from British Army Capt. Reginald John Armes to his wife, written Dec. 24, 1914

At The Freemasons Hall in March 2016, Peter Capaldi reads an incredible letter from WW1 Captain Reginald John Armes, 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, to his wife.

On Christmas Eve of 1914, five months into World War I, something amazing happened: thousands of British and German troops on the Western Front decided to put down their weapons and greet each other peacefully. For the next few days, 100,000 men, British and German, chatted, exchanged gifts, sang carols, played football. They also, without fear, were able to buried their dead. On the evening of December 24th, the first day of the truce, Captain ‘Jack’ Armes wrote to his wife and described this incredible occurrence.

Armes died on 9 April 1916 in Mesopotamia, while serving with the 7th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. His name appears on the Basra memorial, west of Basra, Iraq.

Armes is seated front row, second from left:

Officers of the 1st Battalion The North Staffordshire Regiment, photographed in Cambridge, August 1914. Back row (standing): Lt and Qr-Mr Edwin Joseph Langridge; Lt Walter Edward Hill (attached from 3rd Battalion), killed Sept 1914; Lt Vyvyan Vavasour Pope (later Battalion Commanding Officer, Jun 1917–Mar 1918); Capt John Herbert Ridgway, killed Apr 1917; 2nd Lt Alan Randall Aufrere Leggett, killed Oct 1914; Lt Edward Darnley Anderson, Transport Officer, killed Nov 1917; Lt Arthur Clegg Fanshawe Royle, killed Sept 1914. Second row (standing): Lt Reginald Frederick Morgan; Lt Arthur Graham Adamson (attached from 3rd Battalion); Lt Phillip Lyon, Machine Gun Officer; Lt Hugh Cuthbert Bridges; Lt Cedric Foskett Gordon; Lt Philip Dawson Harris (attached from 3rd Battalion), killed Mar 1918; 2nd Lt Greville Arthur Bagot-Chester (attached from 3rd Battalion), killed Oct 1914; Capt Charles Harry Lyon. Front row (seated): Capt George Harvey Hume-Kelly, Officer Commanding ‘D’ Company, killed Oct 1914; Capt Reginald John Armes, Officer Commanding ‘A’ Company; Major George Edward Leman, Officer Commanding ‘B’ Company; Lt James Wilfred Lang Stanley Hobart; Lt-Col Vigant William de Falbe D.S.O., Battalion Commanding Officer; Major Louis John Wyatt, 2nd in Command; Capt Eric Bruce Reid, killed Oct 1914; Capt Arthur Septimus Conway, Officer Commanding ‘C’ Company, killed June 1917; Major Henry Stewart Anderson, Medical Officer (attached from Royal Army Medical Corps). Seated on ground: 2nd Lt Hubert Francis Patry, died Sept 1914

24/12/14
I have just been through one of the most extraordinary scenes imaginable. To-night is Xmas Eve and I came up into the trenches this evening for my tour of duty in them. Firing was going on all the time and the enemy’s machine guns were at it hard, firing at us. Then about seven the firing stopped.
I was in my dug-out reading a paper and the mail was being dished out. It was reported that the Germans had lighted their trenches up all along our front. We had been calling to one another for some time Xmas wishes and other things. I went out and they shouted “no shooting” and then somehow the scene became a peaceful one. All our men got out of their trenches and sat on the parapet, the Germans did the same, and they talked to one another in English and broken English. I got on top of the trench and talked German and asked them to sing a German Volkslied, which they did, then our men sang quite well and each side clapped and cheered the other.
I asked a German who sang a solo to sing one of Schumann’s songs, so he sang The Two Grenadiers splendidly. Our men were a good audience and really enjoyed his singing.
Then Pope and I walked across and held a conversation with the German officer in command.
One of his men introduced us properly, he asked my name and then presented me to his officer. I gave the latter permission to bury some German dead who are lying in between us, and we agreed to have no shooting until 12 midnight to-morrow. We talked together, 10 or more Germans gathered round. I was almost in their lines within a yard or so. We saluted each other, he thanked me for permission to bury his dead, and we fixed up how many men were to do it, and that otherwise both sides must remain in their trenches.
Then we wished one another goodnight and a good night’s rest, and a happy Xmas and parted with a salute. I got back to the trench. The Germans sang Die Wacht Am Rhein it sounded well. Then our men sang quite well Christians Awake, it sounded so well, and with a goodnight we all got back into our trenches. It was a curious scene, a lovely moonlit night, the German trenches with small lights on them, and the men on both sides gathered in groups on the parapets.
At times we heard the guns in the distance and an occasional rifle shot. I can hear them now, but about us is absolute quiet. I allowed one or two men to go out and meet a German or two half way. They exchanged cigars, a smoke and talked. The officer I spoke to hopes we shall do the same on New Year’s Day, I said “yes, if I am here”. I felt I must sit down and write the story of this Xmas Eve before I went to lie down. Of course no precautions are relaxed, but I think they mean to play the game. All the same, I think I shall be awake all night so as to be on the safe side. It is weird to think that to-morrow night we shall be at it hard again. If one gets through this show it will be an Xmas time to live in one’s memory. The German who sang had a really fine voice.
Am just off for a walk around the trenches to see all is well. Goodnight.
Xmas Day.
We had an absolutely quiet night in front of us though just to our right and left there was sniping going on. In my trenches and in those of the enemy opposite to us were only nice big fires blazing and occasional songs and conversation. This morning at the Reveille the Germans sent out parties to bury their dead. Our men went out to help, and then we all on both sides met in the middle, and in groups began to talk and exchange gifts of tobacco, etc. All this morning we have been fraternising, singing songs. I have been within a yard in fact to their trenches, have spoken to and exchanged greetings with a Colonel, Staff Officers and several Company Officers. All were very nice and we fixed up that the men should not go near their opponents trenches, but remain about midway between the lines. The whole thing is extraordinary. The men were all so natural and friendly. Several photos were taken, a group of German officers, a German officer and myself, and a group of British and German soldiers.
The Germans are Saxons, a good looking lot, only wishing for peace in a manly way, and they seem in no way at their last gasp. I was astonished at the easy way in which our men and theirs got on with each other.
We have just knocked off for dinner, and have arranged to meet again afterwards until dusk when we go in again and have [illegible] until 9pm, when War begins again. I wonder who will start the shooting! They say “Fire in the air and we will”, and such things, but of course it will start and tomorrow we shall be at it hard killing one another. It is an extraordinary state of affairs which allows of a “Peace Day”. I have never seen men so pleased to have a day off as both sides.
Their opera singer is going to give us a song or two tonight and perhaps I may give them one. Try and imagine two lines of trenches in peace, only 50 yards apart, the men of either side have never seen each other except perhaps a head now and again, and have never been outside in front of their trenches. Then suddenly one day men stream out and nest in friendly talk in the middle. One fellow, a married man, wanted so much a photo of Betty and Nancy in bed, which I had, and I gave him it as I had two: It seems he showed it all round, as several Germans told me afterwards about it. He gave me a photo of himself and family taken the other day which he had just got.
Well must finish now so as to get this off to-day. Have just finished dinner. Pork chop. Plum pudding. Mince pies. Ginger, and bottle of Wine and a cigar, and have drunk to all at home and especially to you my darling one. Must go outside now to supervise the meetings of the men and the Germans.
Will try and write more in a day or two. Keep this letter carefully and send copies to all. I think they will be interested. It did feel funny walking over alone towards the enemy’s trenches to meet someone half-way, and then to arrange a Xmas peace. It will be a thing to remember all one’s life.
Kiss the babies and give them my love. Write me a long letter and tell me all the news. I hope the photos come out all-right. Probably you will see them in some paper.
Yours, Jake

"Gramps" by K.C. Kennings

K.C. Kennings performing "Gramps" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

"Our revels now are ended" performed by David Threlfall

  

David Threlfall speaks Prospero’s lines from "The Tempest," act IV, scene 1. As a masque comes to its close, the sorcerer contemplates the end of life – and the playwright, perhaps, considers the end of his career

from "The Tempest," spoken by Prospero

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Our revels now are ended. These our actors, 

As I foretold you, were all spirits and 

Are melted into air, into thin air: 

And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, 

The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, 

The solemn temples, the great globe itself, 

Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve 

And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, 

Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff 

As dreams are made on, and our little life 

Is rounded with a sleep. 

"Intangible Homes" by Alicia Curti

Alicia Curti performing "Intangible Homes" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, on Feb 16, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

Sedona Poetry Slam brings last slam of 2022 to Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Saturday, Dec. 10

 After three slams this year, the Sedona Poetry Slam returns to the stage on Saturday, Dec. 10, starting at 7:30 p.m. Performance poets will bring high-energy, competitive spoken word to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

Vo Vera, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

A poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays, judged by the audience. Anyone can sign up to compete in the slam for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. 

Lydia Gates, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

British-born Village of Oak Creek poet Roger Blakiston, a first-time slammer, out-scored some of the best slam poets in the state to win the top prize in September.

Roger Blakiston, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

In October, Phoenix poets Joshua Wiss bested Stacy Eden by 0.1 points, 77.9 to 77.8, with Tyler “Valence” Sirvinskas a close third at 77.3.

Josh Wiss, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

Flagstaff poet Tempest Juliet, co-host of the FlagSlam Poetry Slam, won the third slam in November.

Tempest Juliet, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

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 are judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam.

Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists. Poets 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. 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.

Mary D. Fisher Theatre is located at 2030 W. SR 89A, Suite A-3, in West Sedona. Tickets are $12. For tickets, call 282-1177 or visit SedonaFilmFestival.org.

The upcoming poetry slams of the season will be held Saturdays, Dec. 10, Jan. 28, April 1 and May 13.

MC Tristan Marshell, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

The prize money is funded in part by a donation from Verde Valley poetry supporters Jeanne and Jim Freeland.

Email foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up early to compete or by the Friday before the slam or at the door the day of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive.

For more information, visit sedonafilmfestival.com or foxthepoet.blogspot.com.

Christopher Fox Graham, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

What is Poetry Slam?

Founded at the Green Mill Tavern in Chicago in 1984 by Marc Smith, poetry slam is a competitive artistic sport designed to get people who would otherwise never go to a poetry reading excited about the art form when it becomes a high-energy competition. 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. Slam poets have opened at the Winter Olympics, performed at the White House and at the United Nations General Assembly and were featured on “Russell Simmon’s Def Poets” on HBO.

Ben Gardea, photo by David Jolkovski / Larson Newspapers

Sedona has sent four-poet teams to represent the city at the National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C., Boston, Cambridge, Mass., Oakland, Calif., Decatur, Ga., Denver and Chicago.

"Family Tree" by Eloy Gabriel

Eloy Gabriel performing "Family Tree" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"Woman" by Brittany Brown

Brittany Brown performing "Woman" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

"Almost Fallen On Deaf Ears" by Jordan the Soniferous

Jordan the Soniferous performing "Almost Fallen On Deaf Ears" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"For Lewis" by Chris Ware

Chris Ware performing "For Lewis" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"Always On My Mind" by Margot Berlin

Margot Berlin performing "Always On My Mind" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

"I Am Woman (Nothing To Do With You)" by Ilyssa Goldsmith

 

Ilyssa Goldsmith performing "I Am Woman (Nothing To Do With You)" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on Feb 7, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"We Band of Brothers," The St. Crispin's Day Speech performed by Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh performs the inspirational speech of Henry V to his men as they go forth into the Battle of Agincourt on St. Crispin's Day, Oct. 25, 1415.

The other actors in the scene are

• Brian Blessed as Thomas Beaufort, Duke of EXETER, uncle to King Henry V. Exeter was the third son John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and half-brother to the late Henry IV, aka Henry Bolingbroke, who was the first son of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
• Paul Gregory as the Ralph Neville, 1st Earl of WESTMORELAND
• Nicholas Ferguson as the Richard Beauchamp, 13th Earl of WARWICK (but reading lines written for Thomas Montagu, 4th Earl of SALISBURY)

from "Henry V," spoken by King Henry V of England

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

WESTMORELAND

Of fighting men they have full three score thousand.

EXETER 

There's five to one; besides, they all are fresh.

SALISBURY (read by WARWICK in Branagh's 1989 film)

These are fearful odds

WESTMORELAND

O that we now had here

But one ten thousand of those men in England

That do no work to-day!

KING HENRY V

What's he that wishes so?

My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my garments wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires:

But if it be a sin to covet honour,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:

God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour

As one man more, methinks, would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made

And crowns for convoy put into his purse:

We would not die in that man's company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is called the feast of Crispian:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day: then shall our names.

Familiar in his mouth as household words

Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

"Big Tobacco" by Frankie Marchi & Landry Ntaryamira

Frankie Marchi & Landry Ntaryamira performing "Big Tobacco" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"If You Could Hold The City Of Mesa Up To Your Ear, You Would Most Likely Hear An Empty Shell" by Bill Campana

Bill Campana performing "If You Could Hold The City Of Mesa Up To Your Ear, You Would Most Likely Hear An Empty Shell" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on April 5, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

"Bath Bombs" by Destiny Rhinehart

Destiny Rhinehart performing "Bath Bombs" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 10, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

Sedona Poetry Slam returns to Mary D. Fisher Theater on Oct. 15

After the successful return of slam poetry to Sedona in September, the Sedona Poetry Slam returns to the stage on Saturday, Oct. 15, starting at 7:30 p.m. 

Performance poets will bring high-energy, competitive spoken word to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre. 

A poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays, judged by the audience. Anyone can sign up to compete in the slam for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. British-born Village of Oak Creek poet Roger Blakiston, a first-time slammer, out-scored some of the best slam poets in the state to win the top prize in September. 

Roger Blakiston

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 are judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam.

Lydia Gates

Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists. Poets 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. 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.

Valence

Mary D. Fisher Theatre is located at 2030 W. SR 89A, Suite A-3, in West Sedona. Tickets are $12. For tickets, call 282-1177 or visit SedonaFilmFestival.org.

The upcoming poetry slams of the season will be held Saturdays, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 28, April 1 and May 13.

The prize money is funded in part by a donation from Verde Valley poetry supporters Jeanne and Jim Freeland.

Email foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up early to compete or by the Friday before the slam or at the door the day of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive. 

For more information, visit sedonafilmfestival.com or foxthepoet.blogspot.com.

B-Jam

What is Poetry Slam? 

Founded at the Green Mill Tavern in Chicago in 1984 by Marc Smith, poetry slam is a competitive artistic sport designed to get people who would otherwise never go to a poetry reading excited about the art form when it becomes a high-energy competition. 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. Slam poets have opened at the Winter Olympics, performed at the White House and at the United Nations General Assembly and were featured on "Russell Simmon's Def Poets" on HBO.

Sedona has sent four-poet teams to represent the city at the National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C., Boston, Cambridge, Mass., Oakland, Calif., Decatur, Ga., Denver and Chicago.

Josh Wiss

"Riot" by Dylan Kingsley

Dylan Kingsley performing "Riot" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 10, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"Dear Younger Me" by K.C. Kennings

K.C. Kennings performing "Dear Younger Me" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 10, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"For My Handicap People" by Benjamin Shea

Benjamin Shea performing "For My Handicap People" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 10, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"Yaakov" by Cole B’Seyder

Cole B’Seyder performing at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on June 5, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam. 

Sedona Poetry Slam returns for its 14th season Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre

The Sedona Poetry Slam returns for its 14th season Saturday, Sept. 17. Performance poets will bring high-energy, competitive spoken word to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m. 

A poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays, judged by the audience. Anyone can sign up to compete in the slam for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. 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 are judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam.

Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists. Poets 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. 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.

We lost our dear friend Bernard "The Klute" Schober on July 18, 2022.

This will be the first Sedona poetry slam without the iconic Bernard "The Klute" Schober, a 49-year-old Phoenix poet who died suddenly on July 18. A competitor of more than 20 years who often won the Sedona slam, Klute represented Sedona on two National Poetry Slam teams and brought humorous, dramatic and political poetry to the stage in equal measure. His poetry also conveyed his passion for shark conservation, and he donated his winnings and book sales to shark conservation nonprofits.

Mary D. Fisher Theatre is located at 2030 W. SR 89A, Suite A-3, in West Sedona. Tickets are $12. For tickets, call 282-1177 or visit SedonaFilmFestival.org.

The poetry slams of the season will be held Saturdays, Oct. 15, Nov. 12, and Dec. 10, in 2022, and Saturdays Jan. 28, April 1, and May 13, in 2023.

The prize money is funded in part by a donation from Verde Valley poetry supporters Jeanne and Jim Freeland.

Email foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up early to compete or by the Friday before the slam or at the door the day of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive.

For more information, visit sedonafilmfestival.com or foxthepoet.blogspot.com.

What is Poetry Slam?

Founded at the Green Mill Tavern in Chicago in 1984 by Marc Smith, poetry slam is a competitive artistic sport designed to get people who would otherwise never go to a poetry reading excited about the art form when it becomes a high-energy competition. 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. Slam poets have opened at the Winter Olympics, performed at the White House and at the United Nations General Assembly and were featured on "Russell Simmons' Def Poets" on HBO.

Sedona has sent four-poet teams to represent the city at the National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C., Boston, Cambridge, Mass., Oakland, Calif., Decatur, Ga., Denver and Chicago.

"Growth" by Israel Ybarra

Israel Ybarra performing "Growth" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 10, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

A brief history of the Flagstaff Poetry Slam Team 2001-2022

December 2000, FlagSlam founded.
First FlagSlam Dynasty
The Founders' Era 

In 2001, 12th National Poetry Slam in Seattle, Wash.:
Grand Slam Champion: Josh Fleming
Nick Fox
Chris Lane
Christopher Fox Graham
Alternate: Eric “A-rek” Matthew Dye
Coach: Andy “War” Wall

After I graduated from Arizona State University and made the FlagSlam team, I moved to Flagstaff in June.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Dallas

(2) Los Angeles

(3) Seattle

(4) New York, NYC-Urbana

56 teams

Individual Finals

(1) Mayda del Valle

(2) Beau Sia

(3) Shawn V.

(4) Morris Stegosaurus

(5) Angela Boyce

(6) Mama Blue

Second FlagSlam Dynasty

Kofonow Era

In 2002, 13th National Poetry Slam in Minneapolis, Minn.:
Grand Slam Champion: Suzy La Follette
Logan Phillips
Andy “War” Hall
Dom Flemons
Alternate: Jarrod Masseud Karimi (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
Coach and alternate: John Raymond Kofonow

I tried out for the FlagSlam team in 2002 but pulled the "1" and got clobbered. I had already been planning the Save the Male Tour with Josh Fleming, so that was my summer instead. 
 First tie at NPS: New York City-Urbana and Detroit

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

Tie: New York, NYC-Urbana and Detroit

(3) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(4) Seattle

54 teams

Individual Finals

(1) Sekou tha Misfit

(2) Corbet Dean, of Mesa

(3) Kamal Symonette-Dixon

(4) Xero Skidmore

(5) Rives

(6) Gina Loring

(7) Shane Koyczan

(8) Joel Chmara

In 2003, 14th National Poetry Slam in Chicago, Ill.:
Grand Slam Champion: Suzy La Follette
Logan Phillips
Cass Hodges
Dom Flemons
Alternate: Julie Hudgens (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
Coach and alternate: John Raymond Kofonow

I was a volunteer bout manager at NPS in 2003.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Los Angeles

(2) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(3) Austin

(4) Oakland

Individual Finals

(1) Mighty Mike McGee

(2) Shane Koyczan

(3) Delisle

(4) Soul Evans

(5) Omari

(6) Suzy La Follette

(7) Corina Delgado

(8) Anis Mojgani

(9) Da Shade

(10) Jive Poetic

In 2004: 15th National Poetry Slam in St. Louis, Mo.:
Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Fox Graham
Eric Larson
Logan Phillips
Brent Heffron
Coaches: Mary Guaraldi, and John Raymond Kofonow

First time all four NPS finalist teams were from west of the Mississippi River (Hollywood's Da Poetry Lounge, Denver, Dallas and Berkeley). One of the worst organized NPSes due to the location of venues relative to each other and the venues in question. This was the first NORAZ Poets slam team.

In 2005: 16th National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, N.M.:
Grand Slam Champion: Chris Lane
Logan Phillips
Christopher Fox Graham
Meghan Jones
Aaron Johnson
Coaches: Mary Guaraldi and John Raymond Kofonow

FlagSlam sent a crew of poets and supporters because Albuquerque was so close. I was also legal guardian for my ward, Sarrah Wile. One of the best organized NPSes. All venues were within walking distance of the Hotel Blue. The hotel manager lost his job for what he allowed us to do, but won the Spirit of the Slam Award.This was the secondNORAZ Poets slam team.

In 2006: 17th National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas:
Aaron Johnson
Christopher Fox Graham (kicked off team before the National Poetry Slam)
Meghan Jones (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
Justin “Biskit” Powell
Alternate: A.J. Moyer (Joined team)
Coaches: Greg Nix (quit before the National Poetry Slam) and John Raymond Kofonow (quit before the National Poetry Slam)

This year was a train wreck. Those who know why, know why. I'm glad A.J., Aaron Johnson and Biskit had a good time at NPS, though. This was the third and final NORAZ Poets slam team.

Third FlagSlam Dynasty
Johnson-Phillips Era

In 2007: 18th National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas:
Grand Slam Champion: Joseph Nieves
Aaron Johnson
Troy Thurman
J.J. Valentine

Last year Individual Poetry Slam Championships were held at NPS. They would be held at a separate event, the Individual World Poetry Slam starting in 2008. In January 2007, Christopher Lane and his NORAZ Poets nonprofit stopped doing any poetry slams in cut all financial support to FlagSlam. Slammaster Aaron Johnson left Flagstaff and with his departure, the leaderless slam lost its venue. By all accounts, after NPS 2007, the FlagSlam's continued existence was in doubt.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Charlotte, SlamCharlotte

(2) Rhyme or Die (Killeen, Texas)

(3) New York, louderARTS

(4) Denver, Slam Nuba

(5) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

76 teams

Individual Finals* 

(1) Danny Sherrard

(2) Christopher Michael

(3) Shannon Leigh

(4) Alvin Lau

Other finalists: Kealoha

Michael Guinn

6 is 9

Ed Mabrey

Oz

Robbie Q. Telfer

*This was the final year Individual Finals were held at the National Poetry Slam. A separate tournament, the Individual World Poetry Slam, or iWPS, would be held in the fall starting in 2008.

Fourth FlagSlam Dynasty

Rebirth Era (Cartier-Brown-O'Brien, notable for the Lost Boys and the "Flagstaff cadence")

In 2008: 19th National Poetry Slam in Madison, Wis.:
Grand Slam Champion: Frank O'Brien
Ryan Brown
John Cartier
Jessica Guadarrama
Alternate: Kami Henderson
Coach: Dana Sakowicz

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Charlotte, SlamCharlotte

(2) New York, louderARTS

(3) Austin

(4) Boston, Cantab

75 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) NYC-Urbana

(2) Slam Nahuatl Richmond VA

(3) Killeen Texas

(4) Cleveland

(5) Atlanta

(6) Philadelphia

(7) Charlotte

(8) Honolulu

(9) Chicago-Green Mill

(10) Phoenix (Aaron Johnson, The Klute, KB Chesko, Christian Drake, Rowie Shebala)

(11) Loser Slam, Lincroft, N.J.

(12) Seattle

(13) Fort Worth

In 2009: 20th National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, FL.
Grand Slam Champion: Frank O'Brien
Ryan Brown
John Cartier
Andrew “Antranormus” Wanner
Jessica Guadarrama
Coach: Dana Sakowicz

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) St. Paul, Soapboxing

(2) Albuquerque, ABQ Slams

(3) San Francisco

(4) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

68 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Berkeley Poetry Slam

(2) Seattle Poetry Slam

(3)  Fort Worth Poetry Slam

(4) The Stage, West Palm Beach, Fla. 

(5) Art Amok, Atlanta

(6) California- Life Sentence Slam

(7) Loser Slam, New Jersey

(8) Toronto Poetry Slam

(9) Salt City Slam, Salt Lake City

(10) Slamarillo, Amarillo Texas

Fifth FlagSlam Dynasty

Brown Era

In 2010: 21st National Poetry Slam in St. Paul, Minn:
Grand Slam Champion: Ryan Brown
Brian Towne
Johnny P (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
RahMahMercy (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
Frank O'Brien (Joined team in Johnny P's slot)
Christopher Fox Graham (Joined team in RahMahMercy's slot after landing at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport the day before NPS)
Alternate: Christopher Harbster (quit before the National Poetry Slam)

I was going to be a volunteer bout manager at NPS in 2010, but wound up on the team.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) St. Paul, Soapboxing

(2) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(3) Bull City Slam Team, Durham, North Carolina 

(4) Austin, Neo Soul

78 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Slam New Orleans

(2) Pomona

(3) Santa Cruz

(4) Oakland

(5) Vancouver

(6) Minneapolis, 

(7) Fort Worth

(8) Ocotillo, (Tucson, Arizona)

(9) Seattle

(10) Urbana

(11) Toronto

In 2011: 22nd National Poetry Slam in Cambridge and Boston, Mass.:
Grand Slam Champion: Shaun “nodalone” Srivastava
Maple Dewleaf
Taylor Marie “Tay” Kayonnie-Ehrlich
Christopher Harbster (quit before the National Poetry Slam)
Alternate: Tyler “Valence” Sirvinskas (Joined team)

I was a volunteer venue manager at NPS in 2011.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Denver, Slam Nuba

(2) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(3) Providence Poetry Slam

(4) Columbus, Ohio Writing Wrongs

76 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) ABQ Slams

(2) Austin Poetry Slam

(3) The Intangible Slam, New York City

(4) Dallas Poetry Slam

(5) Elevated! (San Diego)

(6) Houston Poetry Slam

(7) Knoxville Poetry Slam

(8) Austin Neo Soul

(9) Houston VIP

(10) Eclectic Truth, Baton Rouge, La. 

In 2012: 23rd National Poetry Slam in Charlotte, N.C.:
Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Fox Graham
Ryan Brown
Tara Pollock (tied)
Shaun “nodalone” Srivastava (tied)
Alternate: Jackson Morris (Joined team)

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Slam New Orleans

(2) Killeen, Texas

(3) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(4) Hollywood (Da Poetry Lounge)

72 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Austin Neo Soul

(2) Bull City Slam

(3) ABQ Slams

(4) Dallas Poetry Slam

(5) Piedmont Poetry Slam

(6) Burlington Slam Project

(7) Jersey City Poetry Slam

(8) Loser Slam

(9) Vancouver Poetry Slam

(10) Urbana

Sixth FlagSlam Dynasty

Quinonez Era

In 2013: 24th National Poetry Slam in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, Mass.:
Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Fox Graham
Jackson Morris
Vincent Vega, aka Vincent Simone
Verbal Kensington (opted out to give Gabbi Jue her slot and compete for the Sedona National Poetry Slam Team)
Alternate: Austin Reeves (Joined team)
2nd alternate: Gabbi Jue (Joined team)

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Slam New Orleans

(2) Hollywood (Da Poetry Lounge)

(3) New York, Nuyorican Poets Cafe

(4) Elevated! San Diego

70 teams

Group Piece Finals

(tie 1) Austin Neo Soul / Intangible Slam

(tie 3) Java Monkey / Houston VIP

(5) Hear Here (Colorado Springs)

(6) Battle Born (Las Vegas)

(7) Seattle Poetry Slam (Seattle)

(8) Dallas Poetry Slam (Dallas)

(9) Salt City Slam (Salt Lake City)

(10) Sedona Poetry Slam (Sedona, Arizona)

In 2014: 25th National Poetry Slam in Oakland, Calif.:
Grand Slam Champion: Ryan Smalley
Josh Wiss
Josh Floyd
Christopher Fox Graham
Alternate: Claire Pearson (Joined team)
Coach: John Quinonez

A caravan headed from Flagstaff: The Yorktown, The Truth Bomber and The Majin Buu. On the first night in Oakland, The Yorktown was broken into and thieves stole computers and clothes from John Quinonez, Christopher Fox Graham and Ryan Smalley but we still had an awesome time.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) D.C. Beltway Poetry Slam

(2) New York, NYC-Urbana

(3) Slam New Orleans

(4) Denver, Slam Nuba

72 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Hear, Hear! Poetry Slam

(2) Austin Neo Soul

(3) WU Slam (St. Louis)

(4) Philly Pigeon

(5) Palo Alto

(6) Verbal Slap

(7) Lethal Poetry (Chicago)

(8) Denver Mercury

(9) Battle Born (Las Vegas)

(10) Boise Poetry Slam

In 2015: 26th National Poetry Slam in Oakland, Calif.:
Grand Slam Champion: Ryan Smalley
Christopher Fox Graham 
Gabbi Jue
Vincent Vega (Moved to Japan prior to NPS)
Alternate: Claire Pearson (Joined team)
Coach: John Quinonez

 Due to the untimely death of regular FlagSlam poet Lauren Delores Spencer in a car accident, the FlagSlam donated money to assist with funeral expenses. FlagSlam was late paying for registration and instead was placed on the waiting list, but never made it to the regular rotation. Team members went and volunteered and still had an awesome time. 

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) The House Slam (Boston)

(2) Hawaii Slam

(3) Berkeley Slam

(4) Denver Mercury Poetry Slam

72 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Austin Poetry Slam

(2) Palo Alto

(3) Austin Neo Soul

(4) Slam Charlotte

(5) Atlanta Art Amok

(6) Rain City

(7) Lizard Lounge Poetry Slam

(8) Fort Worth

(9) Portland Poetry Slam

(10) Seattle Poetry Slam

Seventh FlagSlam Dynasty

Quorum of Five Era

In 2016: 27th National Poetry Slam in Decatur, Ga.
Grand Slam Champion: Ryan Smalley
Gabbi Jue
Claire Pearson
Christopher Fox Graham 
Alternate: Kim Possible, aka Kim Jarchow, (Joined team)
Coach: John Quinonez

John Quinonez officially stepped down as slammaster at the conclusion of the slam, handing the reins of slammastership to a Quorum of Five: Gabbi Jue, Rowie Shebala, Wil Williams, Claire Pearson and Kim Jarchow. To be clear, Wil Williams is, without a doubt, an absolute shitbag person, rudely condescending, most especially to other women, ignorantly and embarrassingly self-righteous and wholly unprepared to lead anything other than a solo long walk off a short pier.  I had very little to do with her but the exodus of veteran poets sick of her strong-arm tactics to dominate the event was deafening. She literally made other poets I love cry and drove freshman poets away and they called me about it. After running the slam in the ground and causing the five-women to break up as leaders, Facing a coup or complete dissolution of the slam, Wil Williams fled both the slam and Flagstaff and is reportedly holed up in Phoenix as a  "podcast critic," which is as pointless as that sounds and, unsurprisingly, "reviews" things because she made her judgmentalism professionally masturbatory. If she gets hit by a truck, most Flagstaff poets will feel bad for the truck and I know which women will be driving it. 

In any case, FlagSlam has seen struggles before, but Wil Williams was a clear, present and unique threat to its survival even more so than COVID a few years later.

 Kim Jarchow and Claire Pearson salvaged the slam and rebuilt it.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Slammageddon Baltimore

(2) San Diego PoetrySLAM

(3) The House Slam (Boston)

(4) Austin NeoSoul

72 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) ABQ Slams

(2) Dada Poetry Slam

(3) Burlington Ontario

(4) Northampton Poetry

(5) Freshwater Wordsmiths

(6) OM Center Poetry Slam

(7) Alchemy Slam

(8) Union Square Slam

(9) Nuyorican Poets Café

(tie 10) Hear Here / Houston Poetry Slam / Puro Slam

Eighth FlagSlam Dynasty

Jarchow-Pearson-Gates Era

In 2017: 28th National Poetry Slam in Denver. Colo.

Grand Slam Champion: Josh Wiss

Christopher Fox Graham

Kim Possible, aka Kim Jarchow

Claire Pearson

Alternate: Gabbi Jue, (Joined team)

Coach: Davey Latour, I guess?

This year, I stayed in the Denver suite of the Sedona team (Lydia Gates, Briana Grace Hammerstrom, Rob Chandler Gonzalez and Kenny Kreslake), along with Davey Latour. The suite was awesome and worth every penny.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) San Diego PoetrySLAM

(2) Brooklyn Poetry Slam

(3) The House Slam (Boston)

(4) Da Poetry Lounge Slam Team (Los Angeles)

84 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Dada Poetry Slam

(2) Slam Charlotte Poetry Slam

(3) PuroSlam

(4) Eclectic Truth

(5) Salt City Slam

(6) The Writers Den

(7) Boise Poetry Slam

(tie 8) Steel City Slam / ABQ Slams

(10) Toronto Poetry Slam

(11) Boston Poetry Slam

(12) Ktown Mic Drop Slam

(13) Rain City Slam

In 2018: 29th and final National Poetry Slam in Chicago, Ill.

Grand Slam Champion: Kim Possible, aka Kim Jarchow

Ryan Smalley

Christopher Fox Graham

Lydia Gates

Alternate: Tempest Black (Joined team)

Coach: None

This year, the Poetry Slam Inc., nonprofit collapse following a contentious SlamMaster's meeting that saw Executive Director Suzy Q, be fired the day before the meeting, then the entire board resign, and a caretaker board eventually form to settle accounts, host iWPS in the fall, then dissolve. It was a mess.

National Poetry Slam Team Finals

(1) Charlotte, SlamCharlotte

(2) Da Poetry Lounge Slam Team (Los Angeles)

(3) Slammageddon Baltimore

(4) Salt City Unified (Salt Lake City)

72 teams

Group Piece Finals

(1) Art Amok

(2) Austin Poetry Slam

(3) The Retort United (The Drunken Retort)

(4) The Fuze Poetry Slam

(5) Jersey City Slam

(6) Orlando Poetry Slam

(7) Boise Poetry Slam

(8) St. Louis Poetry Slam

(9) Nitty Gritty Slam

(10) For The Win

(11) Slam Free or Die

Ninth FlagSlam Dynasty

Gates-Tempest Era

From 2019 to 2022: No National Poetry Slam was held

Grand Slam Champion: Zane Schechterle

Gabbi Jue

Lydia Gates

Catheryn Dawn Tarazi

Levi Phillips

The COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, ending the slam until the fall of 2021. 

Kim Jarchow moved to Colorado and Tempest Black took over co-hosting duties with Lydia Gates. 

"Home Of The Rage" by Patrick Hare

Patrick Hare performing "Home Of The Rage" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on June 26, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.

"Pill" by Ashanti Files

Ashanti Files performing "Pill" at The Rebel Lounge in Phoenix, AZ on May 24, 2022.

Ghost Poetry Show is committed to creating a community of writers from the greater Phoenix area (and beyond) to share their work on stage. We take pride in having poets that have never performed their work in front of anyone, all the way up to poets that have competed at the national level. No matter gender, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age anyone can take the stage and compete in the three round poetry slam.