Local high school students take the stage to share their original poetic works and compete for prizes. The Spokane County Library has announced three poetry slam events this March and April.
The Spokane County Library District is excited to announce not just one but three poetry slam events in March and April. Slam poetry is a dynamic art form that merges elements of performance, writing, competition, and active audience engagement.
The Spokane County Library organizes, provides judges, an emcee, and filming of the events. The organizers are very grateful to Friends of Deer Park and the Library Foundation of Spokane County for their partnership and providing cash prizes.
The first event to mark on your calendar is the annual Northern Slam, which takes place on Monday, March 18th, 6:30pm – 8pm, at Riverside High School at 4120 E Deer Park Milan Rd, Chattaroy. Students from schools including: Deer Park, Lakeside, and Riverside compete for prizes. The Friends of the Deer Park Library donated all the funds for the Northern Slam.
The Annual Valley Slam comes next and takes place on Thursday, March 21st, from 6:30pm – 8pm in the University High School at 12420 E 32nd Ave, Spokane Valley, where students from: Central Valley, Mica Peak, and University High Schools. The Valley Library doesn’t have a Friends group, so the Library Foundation of Spokane County has generously provided funds for both the Valley Slam and Grand Slam.
Top-placing poets from the Northern and Valley Slams perform in a Grand Slam competition. You are invited and encouraged to come cheer on these talented high school students as they perform original poetry on stage. The panel of judges will feature local writers and literary enthusiasts. The Grand Slam is Wednesday, April 24th, 6:30pm – 8pm at The Gathering House, 733 W Garland Ave, Spokane.
Benefits of Poetry Slams
Slams generate significant opportunities for teens to grow and learn. The library staff connects the poets with a local writer to do some workshopping tailored to them. Students gain exposure to the poetry community in Spokane because the panel of judges includes the people who publish and write here in our communities.
“The beautiful thing about attending a poetry slam is you get to hear what teenagers in our community are thinking about, and they are our future. And there’s just a chance that you’ll walk away feeling a little more hopeful knowing about the things that they take seriously enough to get up on stage and talk about them,” said Dana Mannino, a Librarian at Spokane County Library and one of the organizers of the slam poetry events.
Slam Audiences
Organizers emphasize the importance of audience etiquette for those wishing to show support for their favorite poet. Some of the suggested etiquette includes:
- By gently rubbing their hands together, the audience can express support if a poet becomes highly emotional or struggles to finish their piece. This subtle gesture communicates solidarity and encouragement, conveying the message, “We’re here for you, we feel the emotion in your poem, keep going—we believe in you.”
- Snapping their fingers during the poem’s performance expresses that they like the poem. This avoids thunderous applause that may drown out the poet’s words or distract them, ensuring everyone can hear and understand.
- There is a place for applause by clapping the poet on and off the stage.
- Boos are allowed, but are not to be directed at the poet. If audience member disagrees with a judge’s assessment of a poem’s quality and assigns what they perceive as an inappropriate score. In that case, they can express their disapproval by booing the judge. Such actions can significantly uplift the poet’s spirits.
Audience participation and using proper etiquette sets a poetry slam apart from other poetry events. It gives people watching an opportunity to be part of the event personally. Here is a recap of these upcoming poetry slams:
Northern Slam
RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
4120 E Deer Park Milan Rd, Chattaroy
Monday, March 18th, 6:30–8pm
Valley Slam
UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL
12420 E 32nd Ave, Spokane Valley
Thursday, March 21st, at 6:30pm – 8pm
Grand Slam
The Gathering House
733 W Garland Ave, Spokane
Wednesday, April 24th, 6:30pm – 8pm
Sources:
- “SCLD Podcast: Season 3, Episode 21—Annual Poetry Slams.” YouTube, uploaded by Spokane County Library, 4th March 2024, Youtube.com/watch?v=ZIdVmzO-Cs0.
- Spokane County Library. “Slam Events Calendar Page.” Spokane County Library, Scld.libcal.com/calendar/events?t=d&q=slam&cid=19016&cal=19016&inc=0. Accessed 15 March 2024.
