Kevin Holmes features at Sundara on Aug. 25

Touring slam poet Kevin Holmes features at Sundara Boutique & Gallery, 22 East Route 66, Flagstaff, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25.

Kevin Holmes is the Santa Cruz Slammaster, Team Coach, and Anchor Poet.

Kevin led the first Santa Cruz slam team to a 3rd place finish at the 2010 National Poetry Slam's Group Piece finals. In 2011, as a poet coach, he returned to NPS to tie for 5th. 


Kevin Holmes (famed Santa Cruz Slam Poet) Came up with Dusty Rose to Feature at the Chicoslam. Flmed April 15, 2010 in 1080i HiDef
 
Before co-founding the new Santa Cruz Slam, Kevin's surreal political commentary somehow won a 2009 Berkley finals and took a top 20 finish at the Individual World Poetry Slam. Kevin enjoys homemade deep fried tofu, Doctor Who, and dry gin.

Kevin has been involved with the University of California Santa Cruz's campus slam team since 2004 as poet and then a coach. In 2009 his coaching pressed the UCSC team to a 2nd place finish at the Collegiate Union Poetry Slam Invitational.

When not lingering around dimly lit rooms with microphones, Kevin works with special needs students.

Kevin Holmes' winning poem at Tourettes Without Regrets. Filmed and edited by Zero Coordinate Inc.

Fifty Years of Exploration to Our Neighboring Planets

The first attempts to reach Mars (1960) and Venus (1961) failed, yet triumph followed quickly. Of the nearly 200 solar, lunar, and interplanetary missions depicted on this map, most have been Earth's closest neighbors. As rocketry, navigation, and imaging have become ever more capable and reliable, the planets and many of their moons have been examined in detail. The New Horizons mission to Pluto is under way, as is the MESSENGER mission to Mercury. Others not yet launched, perhaps not yet dreamed, await. --National Geographic

"Unrequited Love Poem" by Sierra DeMulder

Sierra DeMulder performs "Unrequited Love Poem" in St. Paul, Minnesota.

In addition to winning the 2009 and 2010 National Poetry Slams with Saint Paul, Sierra DeMulder ranked 9th at the Individual World Poetry Slam, 11th at the Women of the World Poetry Slam and coached MacAlester College to Final Stage at College Union Poetry Slam Invitational2010. She was awarded Best Female Poet at CUPSI 2009 and in January 2010, her first full-length manuscript, "The Bones Below: Poems by Sierra DeMulder," was published in 2010 by Write Bloody Publishing. She released her second book, New Shoes on a Dead Horse, in 2012, coincidentally on my birthday, March 12.

Sierra DeMulder on tumblr

Video by A Poem Observed // Button Poetry

Poetry Observed is committed to producing high quality videos of performance poetry, off the stage. The first series features Twin Cities-based poets and was produced in collaboration with Button Poetry.

"Snakes & Bees," group poem by Slam New Orleans

The poem, "Snakes & Bees," that sent Slam New Orleans on to win the 2012 National Poetry Slam. The team scored a 27.7, 0.4 higher than the second-place team and SNO never looked back.
The poets are, front row, left to right, Kataalyst, Tarriona Tank Ball and Sha'Condria ICon Sibley with Akeem Martin in the back.

"Oil Dealers & Deepwater Part II – Étouffée" redux

Part II – Étouffée

the last thing he remembered
was her étouffée
the way shrimp and chicken
could fall apart in his mouth
the texture of onion,
the soft burn of the bell pepper,
the crunch of celery
the way a drop of saffron
could flavor a whole meal
for a moment
after the alarm sounded
after the shock of fear subsided in his spine
he was there again
in her Baton Rouge kitchen
surrounded by the smell of her labors

he had seen a blowout on another rig
before BP
before Deepwater Horizon
everyone jumped to their posts
did their jobs
and when all was said and done
insurance wrote off the damage
and they thanked heaven no one got hurt

for a moment
he flashed back to that rig
hoped it would repeat

and as the rumble rose
his eyes dimmed
the world fell away from focus
and he could taste  her étouffée in his throat

the moment was too quick to prepare
he saw the faces of the men around him
he had seen them all today on the rig —
they were 11 roughnecks who would go home
when the job was over
they were strangers before the rig
and they would be afterward
they always wanted to be forgettable
for a roughneck,
to have one’s name known
means you’ve fucked up
you screwed the boss’s daughter
you carelessly killed a man
or you died on a rig

they were 11 men
whose names would be remembered:
Jason Anderson
Aaron Dale Burkeen
Donald Clark
Stephen Curtis
Gordon Jones
Roy Wyatt Kemp
Karl Kleppinger
Blair Manuel
Dewey Revette
Shane Roshto
Adam Weise
no longer forgettable


when it came
the rip roar of steel and crude
swallowed in a sun
the last thing he remembered
was her étouffée
the last thought
was the smell of Cajun cooking
the feel of her arms around him
as the bowels of the earth
those billions of animals
compressed into oil
buried for millions of years
saw the sky again
released the rage of imprisonment
ignited into fire
rose into the sky
carried his disintegrated memories
with them
rising like steam
from a cooking pan
of her étouffée


the earth hemorrhaged billions of gallons
like a head wound
across the Gulf
to her, it was bloodstain


denied his body,
she collapsed
the first time she touched the oily surf
prayed that somewhere in the black crude
there was some drop of him
some molecule of her husband
the size of a saffron seed


after she walked home
barefoot from beach across the bayou
she refused to wash
the oil would fall away
but he would hold her
sink into her skin
flavor her like saffron
she has no gravesite to visit
but she can smell him in the kitchen
any time she cooks étouffée

Deepwater Horizona victims
Jason C. Anderson, 35, Midfield, Texas, father of two.
Aaron Dale Burkeen, 37, Philadelphia, Miss., married, father of two (14-year-old daughter Aryn and 6-year-old son Timothy), died four days before his 38th birthday.
Donald Clark, 49, Newellton, La., married to Sheila Clark.
Stephen Ray Curtis, 39, Georgetown, La., married and had two teenagers. Taught his son to hunt and play baseball and was active in his church.
Roy Wyatt Kemp, 27, Jonesville, La., married to Courtney Kemp.
Karl D. Kleppinger Jr., 38, Natchez, Miss., U.S. Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, enjoyed NASCAR and cooking barbecue. Married with one son, Aaron.
Gordon L. Jones, 28, Baton Rouge. Wife Michelle Jones was nine months pregnant with their second son when he died.
Keith Blair Manuel, 56, Gonzales, La., father of three (Kelli Taquino, Jessica Manchester and Ashley Jo Manuel). Engaged to Melinda Becnel. Had season tickets to Louisiana State University baseball and football games.
Dewey A. Revette, 48, State Line, Miss., married with two daughters. Had been with Transocean for 29 years.
Shane M. Roshto, 22, Liberty, Miss., married to Natalie Roshto, father of 3-year-old Blain Michael.
Adam Weise, 24, Yorktown, Texas. During time off, the former high school football star spent time with his girlfriend, hunted deer and fished from his boat.

Oil Dealers & Deep Water Part I - redux

Part I – Oil Dealers*

drive the needle deeper
we need this to fuel us
drive it deeper
till it hits
suck it out like Mother Nature
was givin’ a blowjob
it hurts, yeah, but hurts more
when we don’t have none



used to have our own,
but never enough
I found some pure stuff
bought it cheap
right next door
who knew the neighbor was a dealer?
had to go under the water
not so easy and finding it in the dirt
but don’t matter none
once it goes in
you don’t think about where it came from



got it pure and cheap
got it from B.P.
always trust a Limey, I say
they talk like us and don’t do no wrong



drive the needle deeper
we need this to fuel us
drive it deeper
till it hits
suck it out like Mother Nature
was givin’ a blowjob
it hurts, yeah, but hurts more
when we don’t have none



we don’t trust the Saudi dealer anymore
he’s got too many issues
beats his wife for speaking out
little brothers always bitchin’
’bout how we smack ’em around
Saudi thinks we like him
but we won’t even know his name
if he didn’t have any



his crew don’t trust us none
last time we went there
one o’ them ragheads
left us with a bloody lip
knocked over a few towers in our neighborhood
but we done fucked him up good



we only go to the Saudi for this junk
when we’re desperate
— and when we’re armed, rollin’ with our boys
got to show ’em who’s boss
if you want a fair deal



had some homegrown
but it’s gone bunk
always need more
if we’re going to make it ride
and if it runs out
we still got the Saudi
he’s eager to deal
if he don’t sell to the Chinaman first
but if he do
we’ll just go back with bigger guns
bleed him dry till he’s done
maybe go visit the Chinaman
sure, he packs heat
and rides with his boys
but I think we can take him
We’re ’Mericans,
and we don’t take no shit
John Wayne wasn’t no pussy
we're bad motherfuck'rs



drive the needle deeper
we need this to fuel us
drive it deeper
till it hits
suck it out like Mother Nature
was givin’ a blowjob
it hurts, yeah, but hurts more
when we don’t have none



spill a little, no big deal
always more where this came from
if you lose control
let it flow, let it burn
give Mother Nature a facial
it hurts, yeah, but hurts more
when we don’t have none

*All BP satire logos from www.logomyway.com

FlagSlam Poetry Slam, round two

Total Scores

Team	Rank	Score
Slam Nahuatl, Richmond, Va.	1	114.3
Louder ARTS, Union Square, Manhattan, N.Y.	2	112.8
Seattle Poetry Slam, Seattle, Wash.	3	109.1
FlagSlam, Flagstaff, Ariz.	4	107

Rotation: 1

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Seattle Poetry Slam	Roma Raye		27.30
FlagSlam	Ryan Brown: "Goodbye"		26.60
Slam Nahuatl		Group	27.60
Louder ARTS	Catalina Ferro		26.80

Rotation: 2

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Slam Nahuatl	Rob Gibson		29.00
Seattle Poetry Slam	Rose McAleese		26.50
Louder ARTS		Group	29.00
FlagSlam	Christopher Fox Graham & Tara Pollock: "Dust (In the Corners of this Room)	Group	25.80

Rotation: 3

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Seattle Poetry Slam	Amber Flame		27.00
Louder ARTS	Jamaal VS May		27.80
Slam Nahuatl		Group	29.60
FlagSlam	Jackson Morris: "Education in America"		27.50

Rotation: 4

Team	Performer	Group	Score
FlagSlam	Nodalone: "Identicals"		27.10
Louder ARTS	Megan Falley		29.20
Seattle Poetry Slam	Sara Brickman		28.30
Slam Nahuatl		Group	28.10

FlagSlam Poetry Slam, round one

Total Scores

Team	Rank	Score
Nuyorican, Lower East Side of Manhattan, N.Y.	1	106.4
HawaiiSlam, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawai'i	2	103.8
FlagSlam, Flagstaff, Ariz.	3	101.4
Lake Effect, Cleveland, Ohio	4	94.3

Rotation: 1

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Lake Effect		Group	20.70
HawaiiSlam	Tui-Z		24.40
Nuyorican	Jamaal St. John		25.80
FlagSlam	Christopher Fox Graham & Ryan Brown: "Dear Pluto"	Group	25.40 (Down by 0.4)

Rotation: 2

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Nuyorican	Falu		23.80 (49.6)
Lake Effect	Cory Mikesell		24.30 (45.0)
FlagSlam	Ryan Brown: "Justino"		26.40 (51.8 - in the lead by 2.2!)
HawaiiSlam	Ink		25.30 (49.7)

Rotation: 3

Team	Performer	Group	Score
FlagSlam	Tara Pollock: "Acceptance"		24.70 (76.5)
Nuyorican	Rico Frederick		28.50 (78.1)
HawaiiSlam	Liam Skilling		26.30 (76.0)
Lake Effect	Sarah Skylark Bruce		22.80 (67.8)

Rotation: 4

Team	Performer	Group	Score
HawaiiSlam	Sterling Higa		27.80 (103.8)
FlagSlam	Christopher Fox Graham & nodalone: "Babies"	Group	24.90 (101.4)
Lake Effect	Carla Thompson		26.50 (94.3)
Nuyorican	Cyn		28.30 (106.4)

Sedona Poetry Slam, bout two

Total Scores

Team	Rank	Score
Neo-Soul, Austin, Texas	1	114.3
ABQ Slams, Albuquerque, N.M.	2	112.2
WU Slam, St. Louis, Mo.	3	106
Sedona Poetry Slam, Sedona, Ariz.	4	104.6 (after 1.5 time penalty)

Rotation: 1

Team	Performer	Group	Score
ABQ Slams		Group	25.40
Sedona Poetry Slam		Group	25.50 (0.5 time penalty)
Neo-Soul	Danny Strack		27.00
WU Slam	Sam Lai		26.80

Rotation: 2

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Neo-Soul	Korim		28.70
ABQ Slams		Group	28.60
WU Slam	Adam Segal		25.60
Sedona Poetry Slam	Valence		26.30

Rotation: 3

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Neo-Soul		Group	29.30
Sedona Poetry Slam	Spencer Troth		25.50 (1.0 time penalty)
ABQ Slams		Group	29.90
WU Slam	Tayler Geiger		24.90

Rotation: 4

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Sedona Poetry Slam	Evan Dissinger		27.30
WU Slam	Freeman Word		28.70
ABQ Slams		Group	28.30
Neo-Soul		Group	29.30

Sedona Poetry Slam, bout one

Total Scores

Team	Rank	Score
Portland Poetry Slam, Portland Ore.	1	111.1
Red Dirt Poetry Slam, Oklahoma, Okla.	2	109
Sedona Poetry Slam, Sedona, Ariz.	3	108.3
MO Poetry Slam Springfield, Springfield, Mo.	4	106.1

Rotation: 1

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Red Dirt Poetry Slam	Michael Pearce		25.80
MO Poetry Slam Springfield	Gretchen Teague		25.50
Portland Poetry Slam	Doc Luben		28.20
Sedona Poetry Slam	Valence		27.30

Rotation: 2

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Portland Poetry Slam		Group	27.20
Red Dirt Poetry Slam	Grae Rose		26.70
Sedona Poetry Slam	Josh Wiss		26.00
MO Poetry Slam Springfield	Amber Culbertson-Faegre		26.70

Rotation: 3

Team	Performer	Group	Score
Red Dirt Poetry Slam	Rob Sturma		27.80
Sedona Poetry Slam	Evan Dissinger		26.80
Portland Poetry Slam	Will Stanford		27.80
MO Poetry Slam Springfield		Group	27.30

Rotation: 4

Team	Performer	Group	Score
MO Poetry Slam Springfield	Michelle Nimmo		26.60
Sedona Poetry Slam	Frank O'Brien		28.20
Red Dirt Poetry Slam	Melissa May		28.70
Portland Poetry Slam	Samantha Peterson		27.90

National Poetry Slam semi-final bouts

NPS 2012 Semifinal Bouts - 8 PM

Semifinal 1	Semifinal 2	Semifinal 3	Semifinal 4
Booth Playhouse, 130 North Tryon St. Charlotte, NC 28202. 704.372.1000	Duke Energy Theater, 345 North College St. Charlotte, NC 28202. 704.348.5740	Stage Door Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC, 28202, (enter on College St.)	Wells Fargo Auditorium, at the Knight Theater - 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC
Boston Poetry Slam @ the Cantab Lounge	Beltway Poetry Slam	Golden State Slam	Slam Nuba
Slam New Orleans	Slam Nahuatl	Killeen Poetry Slam	Da Poetry Lounge
Denver Mercury Poetry Slam	Nuyorican	Louder ARTS	Soap Boxing
Inkwell Poetry Slam	SlamRichmond	Elevated!	SF BayArea Unified
Eclectic Truth	Austin Poetry Slam	Salt City Slam	Respect Da Mic

NPS 2012 Group Finals -10 PM - McGlohan Theater

• ABQ Slams
• Bull City Slam
• Piedmont Poetry Slam
• Burlington Slam Project
• Jersey City Poetry Slam
• Dallas Poetry Slam
• Neo-Soul
• Vancouver Poetry Slam
• Urbana
• Loser Slam
• (Calibration) Java Monkey Slam

FlagSlam takes third, but gives Nuyorican and Hawaii a run for their money

Lake Effect, group, 20.7
Hawaii, Tui-Z, 24.3
Nuyorican, Jamaal, 25.8
FlagSlam, "Dear Pluto," Ryan CFG 25.4

Nuyorican, Falu, 23.8, 49.6
Lake Effect, Cory Mikesell, 24.03, 45.0
FlagSlam, Ryan Brown, "Justino," 26.4, 51.8
Hawaii, 25.3, 49.3

FlagSlam, Tara, "Acceptance," 24.7, 76.5
Nuyorican, Rico, 28.5, 78.1
Hawaii, Liam, 26.3, 75.9
Lake Effect,22.8, 67.8

Hawaii, 27.8, 103.7
FlagSlam, "Babies," Nodalone and CFG, 24.9, 101.4
Lake Effect, 26.35, 94.3
Nuyorican, Cyn, 28.3, 106.4

National Poetry Slam scores; Sedona ranked 30 of 48 thus far

Scores from night No.1
Sedona did well, but slipped from 2nd place to third by 0.7. Next bout is Thursday.
FlagSlam slams for the first time tonight.
Sedona is top-ranked Arizona team right now.

http://scores.poetryslam.com/node/4179/scores

Place	Team	Bout 1 Rank	Bout 1 Score	Bout 2 Rank	Bout 2 Score	Total Rank	Strength	Total Score
1	Boston Poetry Slam @ the Cantab Lounge	1	117.6			1		117.6
2	Salt City Slam	1	115.2			1		115.2
3	Beltway Poetry Slam	1	112.6			1		112.6
4	Da Poetry Lounge	1	111.6			1		111.6
5	SlamRichmond	1	111.5			1		111.5
6	Portland Poetry Slam	1	111.1			1		111.1
7	Slam New Orleans	1	110.9			1		110.9
8	Soap Boxing	1	110			1		110
9	Respect Da Mic	1	109.5			1		109.5
10	Urbana	1	108.3			1		108.3
11	Killeen Poetry Slam	1	104.3			1		104.3
12	Golden State Slam	1	101.4			1		101.4
13	SF BayArea Unified	2	117.1			2		117.1
14	Java Monkey Slam	2	113.9			2		113.9
15	Writing Wrongs	2	112.2			2		112.2
16	Green Mill	2	111			2		111
17	Slam Free or Die	2	109.1			2		109.1
18	Red Dirt Poetry Slam	2	109			2		109
19	Bull City Slam	2	108.5			2		108.5
20	Vancouver Poetry Slam	2	107.8			2		107.8
21	Dallas Poetry Slam	2	107.5			2		107.5
22	Verbal Slap	2	106.4			2		106.4
23	Intangible Slam	2	100.7			2		100.7
24	Inkwell Poetry Slam	2	98.8			2		98.8
25	Piedmont Poetry Slam	3	114.9			3		114.9
26	Houston Poetry Slam	3	112.4			3		112.4
27	SlamCharlotte	3	111			3		111
28	Writer's Block	3	109.7			3		109.7
29	Burlington Slam Project	3	108.4			3		108.4
30	Sedona Poetry Slam	3	108.3			3		108.3
31	ABQ Slams	3	107			3		107
32	WU Slam	3	106.6			3		106.6
33	Lizard Lounge	3	104.1			3		104.1
34	Steel City Slam	3	101.3			3		101.3
35	Providence Poetry Slam	3	98.3			3		98.3
36	OM Center Poetry Slam	3	93.8			3		93.8
37	Lawn Gnome Poetry Slam (Phoenix)	4	112.7			4		112.7
38	Neo-Soul	4	110.7			4		110.7
39	Rocktown Slam	4	109.6			4		109.6
40	White Plains Library Slam	4	107.8			4		107.8
41	Fort Worth Poetry Slam	4	106.8			4		106.8
42	MO Poetry Slam Springfield	4	106.1			4		106.1
43	Sacred Sounds	4	106.1			4		106.1
44	Boise Poetry Slam	4	103.9			4		103.9
45	Las Vegas Slam	4	101.5			4		101.5
46	Spoken Innovation Slam	4	98.1			4		98.1
47	Loser Slam	4	93.1			4		93.1
48	Ocotillo Poetry Slam (Tucson)	4	92.7			4		92.7

National Poetry Slam schedule

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (This schedule will change)

 DATE/TIME EVENT

Monday, August 6, 2012 
2:00pm – 5:00pm Registration  (Holiday Inn Center City) 
 6:00pm – 7:00pm Poet Orientation (Holiday Inn Center City)
9pm – Until Welcome Party

 Tuesday, August 7, 2012 
8:30am – 9:30am Tai Chi
10:30am – 2:00pm Registration (Holiday Inn Center City)
10:30am – 12:00pm How to Care for Your Voice Workshop
12:00pm – 2:00pm Writing 101 Workshop
1:00pm – 3:00pm Open ASL Showcase
2:00pm – 4:00pm Entertainment Law Workshop
3:00pm – 5:00pm Point of Origin Reading
3:30pm – 4:30pm Poet Orientation (Holiday Inn Center City)
7:00pm – 9:00pm Round 1 Preliminary Bouts
9:00pm – 11:00pm Round 2 Preliminary Bouts
11:00pm – 2:00am Erotic Slam
11:00pm – 2:00am Slam Master vs. Rookie Slam (cash prize)

 Wednesday, August 8, 2012 
 8:30am – 9:30am Tai Chi
  10:30am – 12:00pm “Workshopping the Workshop” Workshop
 12:00pm – 2:00pm Writing 101 Workshop  
1:00pm – 3:00pm Recovery & Remembrance Reading
 2:00pm – 4:00pm International Booking Workshop
 3:00pm – 5:00pm Haiku Prelims  
7:00pm – 9:00pm Round 3 Preliminary Bouts  
9:00pm – 11:00pm Round 4 Preliminary Bouts  
11:00pm – 2:00am    Hip Hop Night  
11:00pm – 2:00am Beauty Vs. Brawn (cash prize)

Thursday, August 9, 2012 
 8:30am – 9:30am Tai Chi  
10:30am – 12:00pm Workshop
 12:00pm – 2:00pm Writing 101 Workshops
 1:00pm – 3:00pm Nerd Slam
  2:00pm – 4:00pm How to Make touring worth it! Workshop
 3:00pm – 5:00pm Haiku Prelims
  5:00pm-7:00pm Chow Down Uptown
 7:00pm – 9:00pm Round 5 Preliminary Bouts  
 9:00pm – 11:00pm Round 6 Preliminary Bouts
  11:00pm – 2:00am Encyclopedia Show  
11:30pm – 2:00am Monologue Slam (cash prize)  

Friday, August 10, 2012
 8:30am – 9:30am Tai Chi  
10:00am –2:00pm SlamMasters Meeting
 10:30am – 12:00pm Art as Business Workshop
 12:00pm – 2:00pm Writing 101 Workshop  
1:00pm – 3:00pm Day at the Museum Slam (guided tours or art installations)
  3:30pm – 5:00pm Haiku Finals (cash prize)
 8:00pm – 10:00pm Semi-Finals
  10:00pm – 1:00am Group Finals

Saturday, August 11, 2012 
10:00am – noon Slam Family Meeting  
Noon – 2:00pm Youth Slam  
Noon – 4:00pm Slam Family Picnic
 8:00pm – 11:00pm  FINALS  
11:00pm – Until Closing Party

Sedona National Poetry Slam Team squeezes out a 2nd place win by 0.2

Oral Experts, group poem, 24.3
Downtown Phoenix, Tomas, 29.1
Phoenix Nationals, Klute's "Arizona Board of Tourism," 29.7
Sedona, Evan Dissinger, 28.9
Sedona in third, behind DT Phx by 0.2, and Phoenix Nationals by 0.8

Phoenix Nationals, Rowie Shebala "Toy soliders" 28.7, 58.4

Oral Experts, woman, 26.4, 50.7
Sedona, Josh Wiss, 29.1, 58.0
Downtown Phoenix, Jeremiah Blue, 28.6, 57.7
Sedona pushes past DT Phx by 0.3, still behind Phoenix Nationals by 0.4

Sedona, Valence, 28.9, 86.9
Phoenix Nationals, Chesko's "ADD," 29.4, 87.8
Downtown Phoenix, Myrlin, 29.7, 87.4
Oral Experts, woman #2, 26.7, 77.4
DT Phx leaps past Sedona, which is now behind it by 0.5, and trailing Phoenix Nationals by 0.4, leaving Sedona in third behind Phx Nationals by 0.9

Downtown Phoenix, woman, 29.8, 117.2
Sedona, trio: Frank O'Brien, Josh Wiss, Evan Dissinger, 29.9, 116.8
Oral Experts, duo, 24.9, 102.3
Phoenix Nationals, Charles, 28.8, 116.6
Sedona's group poem knocks it out of the park, scoring the highest of the night. The push means Sedona can hold on to second if Phoenix Nationals fails to reach a 29.0. Charles only gets a 28.8 after following a lackluster duo from Oral Experts, leaving Phx Nationals in 3rd by 0.2.

Only top two teams, Sedona and DT Phoenix advance to finals tomorrow night.

The poets and teams at the 2012 National Poetry Slam

The poets and teams at the 2012 National Poetry Slam. The numbers are merely alphabetical order placeholders.


Much thanks to Danny Strack's 2012 NPS Scouting Report

1 Nitty Gritty Slam (Albany, N.Y.):
Shannon Shoemaker, Elizag, Kevin Peterson, Poetic Visionz, Coach: Mojavi, Slammaster: Thom Francis, Daniel Nester Mary
New England/N Beast
http://albanypoets.com/2012/05/help-team-nitty-gritty-go-to-national-poetry-slam-in-charlotte/

2 ABQ Slams (Albuquerque, N.M.):
Jessica Helen Lopez, Khalid Binsunni, Damien Flores, Zachary Kluckman, Alternate: Eva Crespin and NJ Casey, Slammaster: Damien Flores, Kenn Rodriquez
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/kennrodriguez.poet
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_133873645144

3 Loser Slam (Asbury Park, N.J.):
Joshua Ballard, Greg Murray, Nicolas Cabrera, Dan Sanchez, Slammaster: Nicole Homer
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/loserslam

4 Art Amok! (Atlanta, Ga.):
Jonathan Samuel Eddie, Hillary Kobernick Watson, Marshall “Gripp” Gillson, Gabe Moses, Malika Hadley Freydberg, Slammaster: Karen “Karen G”
Southern Fried

5 Austin NeoSoul (Austin, Texas):
Shae Harris, LaLove Robinson, Danny Strack, Zai, “Korim” Jonathon Sterling, Coach: Ebony Stewart , Slammaster: Brian “B-Fran” Francis
Southwest Shoot Out

6 Austin Slam at Spiderhouse (Austin, Texas):
Good Ghost Bill, Kevin W. Burke, Margaret Ruth Olson, Keith Ruckus, Zachary Caballero Coach: Christopher Michael , Slammaster: Danny Strack
Southwest Shoot Out

7 Eclectic Truth (Baton Rouge, La.):
Chancelier Xero Skidmore, Jonathan Brown, Desireé V. Dallagiacomo, Rodrick Minor, Donney Rose, Slammaster: Jocelyn Young
Southern Fried

8 Boise Poetry Slam, Big Tree Arts - Delux (Boise, Idaho):
Cheryl Maddalena, Ross Hargreaves, Conor Hatchett Harris, Matthew Freeman, Alex Hatter, Slammaster: Cheryl Maddalena
Pac Coast/Big Sur
http://www.boisepoetry.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

9 Boston Poetry Slam @ the Cantab Lounge (Boston, Mass.):
Kemi Alabi, Antonia Lassar, Omoizele Okoawo, Mckendy Fils-Aimé, Melissa Newman-Evans, Slammaster: Simone Beaubien Mckendy/April Ranger
New England/N Beast
http://bostonpoetryslam.com/

10 Lizard Lounge; Boston/Cambridge (Boston, Mass.):
Porsha Rashidaat J. Olayiwola, Janae Johnson, Rudy Rudacious, TheIncredible Christopher Johnson!, Slammaster: Jeff Robinson
New England/N Beast
http://poetryjam.org/slam/

11 Verbal Slap at the Poetz Realms (Bridgeport, Conn.):
Midnight, Hawk, Baub, Coach: Frederick Douglass , Slammaster: Croilot Carlos, “Kwalo” Semexant
New England/N Beast
www.facebook.com/poetzrealm
http://www.gofundme.com/maddk

12 Bulington Slam Project (Bulington, Ontario, Canada):
Kay’la Fraser, Truth Is…, Tomy Bewick, Lip Balm, Alternate: Dan aka Dan Murray aka Dan, Slammaster: Tomy Bewick
Canadian
http://burlingtonslam.wordpress.com/

13 Charlotte Respect Da Mic (Charlotte, N.C.):
Blk Swan, CP Maze, EyeAmBic, Mania, Slammaster: Rochelle “Blaqbaree” Stanley
Southern Fried
www.respectdamic.org

14 SlamCharlotte (Charlotte, N.C.):
Ed Mabrey, Christopher Shawn Barker, Filmore Johnson, Boris Rogers, Twenty20, Slammaster: Boris “Bluz” Rogers
Southern Fried
http://www.slamcharlotte.com

15 Green Mill (Chicago) (Chicago, Ill.):
Eric Sirota, Shelly Giezler, Rik Vazquez, Marty McConnell, Slammaster: Marc “So What” Smith
Midwest/Rustbelt

16 Mental Graffiti (Chicago, Ill.):
Anthony Michael Cooremans, Patrick Pressl, Stephanie Lane Sutton, Billy Tuggle, Coach: Emily Rose, Slammaster: Emily Rose
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mental-Graffiti/42614196497

17 Lake Effect Poetry, formerly Dragons Inc. (Cleveland, Ohio):
T.M. Göttl, Mello da Poet, Carla Thompson, Cory Mikesell, Alternate: Skylark Bruce, Slammaster: Vertigo Xi'an Xavier
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.lakeeffectpoetry.com/

18 Writer's Block (Colombus, Ohio):
Gina Blaurock, Hanif Abdurraqib, Rose M Smith, Vernell Bristow, Slammaster: Scott Woods
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://writersblockpoetry.rewritingovid.net/Current.php

19 Writing Wrongs (Colombus, Ohio):
Siaara ControverSi Freeman, AKeemjamal Rollins, Ethan Rivera, Rachel Wiley, Arianna Cheree McCall, Slammaster: Will Evans
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.facebook.com/groups/109154669177635/

20 Dallas Poetry Slam (Dallas, Texas):
Awaji Johnson, Candy, Twain, Lgb Jay Sentino, Slammaster: Rock Baby
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.wordspace.us/past_events/

21 Java Monkey (Decatur, Ga.):
Marques “Quez” Linly, Daryl Funn, Miss Haze, Brian Patillo, Fit Linly, Slammaster: Daryl “MistaFunn” Funn
Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/JavaMonkeySlam

22 SlamNUBA (Denver, Colo.):
Jovan Mays, Kenya Mahogany Pollard, Jozer Guerrero, Alejandro Jimenez, Suzi Q. Smith Alternate: D. Brooks, Slammaster: Suzi Q Smith
Southwest Shoot Out

23 Mercury Café aka Denver Merc (Denver, Colo.):
Ian Dougherty, Rebecca Preston, Trevor Liam-Byrne Smith, Eddie Eifler, Kylee Wellons Alternate: Kayla Price Coach: Bianca Mikahn , Slammaster: Bianca Mikahn and Trevor Byrne-Smith
Southwest Shoot Out

24 Bull City Slam/Jambalaya Soul Slam (Durham, N.C.):
Kimberly Redefining Freedom, Sum Thyng Likea Poet, Elliot Axiom, I-Shine, Slammaster: Chris Massenberg aka “Dasan Ahanu”
Southern Fried
http://bullcitypoetryslam.com/about.html

25 Flagslam (Flagstaff, Ariz.):

Christopher Fox Graham, Ryan Brown, Shaun Srivastava “nodalone”, Tara Pollock, Jackson Morris, Slammaster: Ryan Brown
Southwest Shoot Out

26 Ink Well Poetry Slam (Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas ):
Divine aka Verb Kulture, La Quitta Alexander, Terry Odis, Michael Hatcher, Duane Madden, Slammaster: Duane Madden
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003162799340

27 Fort Worth Poetry Slam (Fort Worth, Texas ):
DonJuan Hutchinson, Alex “ThaGreat” Gurley, Giselle Robinson, Stephen Seargant, Coach: A.J. Houston , Slammaster: Michael Guinn & Dave Stanley
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Worth-Poetry-Slams/324953048000

28 Da Poetry Lounge - Hollywood Slam (Hollywood, Calif.):
Fisseha Moges, Simply Kat, Terisa Siagatonu, Javon Johnson, Venessa Marie Marco, Slammaster: Shihan Van Clief
Pac Coast/Big Sur

29 Hawai’i Slam (Honalulu, Hawai’i):
Liam Skilling, Tui-Z, Jenna Robinson, Sterling Higa, Ink, Slammaster: Kealoha
Pac Coast/Big Sur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_Slam

30 Houston Poetry Slam (Houston, Texas):
Savannah Blue, Brother Said, Karega, Softly Spoken, Slammaster: Cedric “Brother Said” Ary
Southwest Shoot Out

31 Houston V.I.P. (Houston, Texas):
DEEP, Fluent, Trademark, Outspoken Bean, Slammaster: Marcell Murphy, D.E.E.P
Southwest Shoot Out

32 Jersey City aka J.C. Slam (Jersey City, N.J.):
Rico, Quote, Justin Woo, Sean V., Jaime Martin, Slammaster: Broken English, Benedicto Figuera
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/events/155669631228935/

33 Killeen Poetry Slam (Killeen, Texas (KPS @ NPS):
Forressa Harrison, Phetote, “Doc” - Jennine Krueger, John Crow, Allen Small, Slammaster: John Crow
Southwest Shoot Out/Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/kpslam

34 Spoken Innovation Slam (Lafayette, LA ):
Don “Yah Fu the Prodigal Son” Mitchell, Hungry Hungry, Michelle “Spirit Soul” Hayes Nelson, Traverse, Slammaster: Yahfu
Southern Fried

35 Las Vegas Slam (Las Vegas, Nev.):
A.j. Moyer, Kari O'Connor, Kingsnoise, Brian Du Fresne “Cactus”, Tiegen Kosiak, Slammaster: AJ Moyer
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/lasvegasslam

36 Rocktown Poetry Slam aka Unified Arkansas (Little Rock, Ark.):
Houston Hughes, Kim Marshall, Lennon Simpson, Mo-Man, Slammaster: The Mo-Man Amoja Sumelr
Southern Fried

37 Team Speak On It - Louisville Poetry Slam (Louisville, Miss.):
Zamir, Cherish Triplett (Cheri B), TRUE, Sireal, Slammaster: Sam Green and Krystle Green
Southern Fried
http://www.louisvillepoetryslam.org/
http://www.facebook.com/lpslam

38 Urban Spoken Word - Madison Slam (Madison, Wis.):
Dan Vaughn, Sabrina Madison “Progress”, Tony Fudge, Caitlin Mchagan, Slammaster: David Hart
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.madpoetry.org/readings.html

39 SlamFree or Die at Milly's Tavern (Manchester, N.H.):
Heidi Therrien, Sam Teitel, Derek Avila, Beau Williams, Christopher Clauss, Slammaster: Mark Palos
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/slamfreeordie

40 Bama Slam (Montevallo, Ala.):
Natalie Peach, Alex Allen, Jerri Hardesty, Sara McCune “The Current Poet”, Lady Caldwell, Slammaster: Kirk Hardesty
Southern Fried
http://www.newdawnunlimited.com/

41 SNO - SlamNewOrleans (New Orleans, La.):
Katalyst Alcindor, Tarriona Tank Ball, Akeem Martin, Icon, Justin Lamb, Slammaster: Akeem Martin
Southern Fried

42 Intangible (Washington Square, New York, N.Y.):
Brian Omni Dillon, Mike Rosen, Vanessa Perillo, Seth Wallin, Thomas Fucaloro, Slammaster: Brian “Omni” Dillon
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Intangible-Collective/67799698440

43 Louder Arts at Bar 13 (Union Square, New York, N.Y.):
Mokgethi Thinane “Mega”, Megan Falley, Jamaal May, Catalina Ferro, Slammaster: Lynne Procope
New England/N Beast
http://www.louderarts.com/

44 Nuyorican (Lower East Side, New York, N.Y.):
Jaamal St John, McPherson, Falu, Cyn Thompson, Slammaster: Mahogany “Mo” L. Browne
New England/N Beast

45 Urbana (Bowery, New York, NY Urbana):
Joanna Hoffman, Jeanann Verlee, Jared Singer, Ingamar Dion Ramirez, Slammaster: Jeanann Verlee
New England/N Beast
http://original.bowerypoetry.com/urbana/

46 Golden State Slam (Oakland, Calif.):
Danee Black-Queen D, Prentice Powell, Imani Cezanne, Joshua Merchant, Slammaster: NerCitty aka Shawn Gullatt
Pac Coast/Big Sur

47 Red Dirt - Wayward Poets (Oklahoma City, Okla.):
Melissa May, Rob Sturma, Michael Pearce, Grae, Slammaster: Jenn Hudgens
Southwest Shoot Out

48 Center Slam - Omaha; Healing Arts (Omaha,Neb.):
Zedeka Poindexter, Sean Patrick Mulroy, Gage Wallace, Ben Wenzl, Jarvis, Slammaster: Matt Mason
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://novia.net/~mtmason/phealing.html

49 The FUZE (Philadelphia, Pa.):
Mike O'Hara, Clarence Wright, MJ Harris, Elicit, Warren Longmire, Slammaster: Sherod Smallman
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/FuzePoetry

50 Lawn Gnome Poetry Slam (Phoenix, Ariz.):

Rowie Shebala, Charles Levett, Bernard Schober “The Klute,” Kevin Chesko Briancesco, Slammaster: Aaron Johnson
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150744275064374

51 Piedmont Slam (Winston-Salem, N.C.):
Eurydice, Milli, LB, Kelly Rae, Krosswordz, Slammaster: Bob Moyer
Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/piedmontslam

52 Steel City Slam at Shadow Lounge (Pittsburgh, Pa.):
William James, Adriana, Tera McIntosh, Valkyrie, Alternate: Rhetorical Artz, Slammaster: Adriana Ramirez William James & Brian Francis
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Steel-City-Slam/154621124559854

53 Second Tues Slam at Port Veritas (Portland, Maine):
Ryan McLellan, Nate Amadon, Wil Gibson, Tina Smith, Zach Dickie, Slammaster: Nate Amadon
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1456950954
(Depending on what coastline a team is from, this is called the "Portland" to much confusion with those who mistake it the Portland, Ore., team.)

54 Portland Poetry Slam (Portland, Ore.):
David Doc Luben, Meg Waldron, Samantha Peterson, Robyn Bateman, William Stanford Alternate: Chris Leja, Slammaster: Eirean Bradley
Pac Coast/Big Sur
(Depending on what coastline a team is from, this is called the "Portland" to much confusion with those who mistake it the Portland, Maine, team.)

55 Providence  aka ProvSlam) (Providence, R.I.):
Franny Choi, Aaron Samuels, Casey Rocheteau, Ryk McIntyre, Slammaster: Megan Thoma and Jared Paul
New England/N Beast
http://www.facebook.com/groups/27253469049/

56 SlamRichmond (Richmond, Va.):
Matthew Cuban Hernandez, John S. Blake, Casandra B., Douglas Roscoe-Burnems Powell, Lee Jones, Slammaster: Jason Moore
Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/slamrichmond

57 Salt City Slam (Salt Lake City, Utah):
Gray, DeAnn Emett, Jesse Parent, Brian Frandsen, Rebeca Mae, Slammaster: Jesse Parent
Southwest Shoot Out

58 PuroSlam! (San Antonio, Texas):
Amanda Flores, Christopher Rooster Martinez, Joshua Lakey Hinson, Diamond Mason, Kellee Taylor Morgan Greenwood, Slammaster: Jason “Shaggy” Gossard
Southwest Shoot Out

59 San Diego Slam; Elevated (San Diego, Calif.):
Benni, Joe Limer, Rudy Francisco, Nick Macedo, Treesje Powers Coach: Chris Wilson , Slammaster: Christopher Wilson Rudy Francisco
Pac Coast/Big Sur

60 San Francisco Bay Area United (San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland and San Jose, Calif.):
Sam Sax, Katelyn Lucas, Lisa Evans, Cameron Awkward-Rich, Slammaster: Mona Webb and Betsy Gomez
Pac Coast/Big Sur

61 Legendary Collective (Santa Cruz, Calif.):
Jesse Rincon, Jasmine Rosemary Schlafke, Storm Thomas, Lee Knight Jr., Precious Wingo, Slammaster: Jaz Sufi
Pac Coast/Big Sur
http://www.legendarycollective.com/

62 Seattle Poetry Slam (Seattle, Wash.):
Sara Brickman, Rose McAleese, Roma Raye, Amber Flame, Slammaster: Daemond Arrindell
Pac Coast/Big Sur

63 Sedona Poetry Slam (Sedona, Ariz.):

Tyler “Valence” Sirvinskas, Evan Dissinger, Josh Wiss, Frank O'Brien, Spenser Troth, Slammaster: Christopher Fox Graham
Southwest Shoot Out
http://foxthepoet.blogspot.com/

64 Springfield Poetry Slam (Springfield, Mo.):
Michelle Nimmo, Sarah Woolsey, Mary Spratt, Gretchen Glock Teague, Slammaster: Seth White & Michelle Nimmo
Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001721305743

65 St. Paul Unified (Soapboxing & SlamMN) (St. Paul, Minn.):
Guante, Shane Hawley, Kait Rokowski, Khary Jackson (6 is 9), Slammaster: Sam Cook
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.soap-boxing.com/catalog.html
http://www.facebook.com/SlamMinnesota

66 Pierced Ear Poetry Slam (Stockton, Calif.):
The Saint, Leo Bryant, The Poet -i-, Christina Perez (Perez), Jaz Sufi, Slammaster: Anthony Gonsalves
Pac Coast/Big Sur

67 Toronto Poetry Slam at Cytopoetics (Toronto, Ontario, Canada):
Britta B, Eytan Crouton, The P.O.E., Noah Kaplan, Cathy Petch, Slammaster: David Silverberg
Canadian
http://www.torontopoetryslam.com/

68 Tucson - Ocotillo Poetry Slam (Tucson, Ariz.):

Mickey Randalman, Ethan C. Dickinson, Laura Lacanette, Jordan Pasch, Maya Asher, Slammaster: Maya Asher
Southwest Shoot Out
http://www.facebook.com/ocotillopoetryslam

69 Vancouver Slam (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada):
Jillian Christmas, Erich Haygun, Erin-Brooke Kirsh, Zaccheus Jackson Nyce, Alternate: Julie J C Peters (alternate), Slammaster: Jessica Mason Paull
Pac Coast/Big Sur/Canadian

70 Beltway Slam (Washington, D.C.):
Pages Matam, Drew Law, Twain Dooley, Clint Smith, Slammaster: Sarah Lawson
Southern Fried
http://www.facebook.com/beltwaypoetryslam

71 White Plains (White Plains, N.Y. ):
Holden Contreras Sr., Sr., Bryan Roessel, Eric “Zork” Alan, Laura Vookles “LV”, Nina Robins, Slammaster: Eric “Zork” Allen
New England/N Beast
http://whiteplains.patch.com/announcements/official-westchester-poetry-slam-team-to-compete-in-national-championships-in-charlotte-north-carolina?logout=true

72 WU Slam - Washington University (St. Louis, Mo.):
Pat Hollinger, Lauren Banka, Bryan Baird, Jacqui Germain, Sam Lai, Slammaster: Mikkel Snyder - formerly Solomon Brown
Midwest/Rustbelt
http://www.facebook.com/WUSLam
https://sites.google.com/site/wuslam/