Art Chowder September | October 2016, Issue 5 | Page 49

Slam
POETRY
SP O KA N E , WA SH I N G T O N

f

Karen Mobley

T

he slam poetry scene in Spokane is alive, raucous, and growing! Writers and performers of all ages participate at the two regular monthly slams. Every first Sunday is BootSlam, at Boots Bakery and Lounge. It
is a great place for first-time competitors because it is a close, friendly, home-like atmosphere. Every third
Monday is Spokane Poetry Slam at The Bartlett. This is a bit more like a rock show, with a stage and lights and
a very high-energy crowd. People clap loud, heckle and shout!
There are other events in Spokane that welcome performance poetry - Broken Mic occurs every Wednesday
evening at Neato Burrito. Isaac Grambo, a prominent poetry event organizer says of Broken Mic, “This is the
gutter-punk rock show for poetry, and is as welcoming and unassuming as a warm smile from your favorite
aunt. This weekly event fills a community space for many of the regulars. 3 Minute Mic provides a different,
more laid-back and easy-going atmosphere in Auntie’s Bookstore every first Friday.
Spokane’s Slam Team are readying for this year’s Individual World Poetry Slam in Decatur, Georgia this month
and the community is setting the stage for the 2017 Individual World Poetry Slam to be held here in Spokane.
Isaac Grambo, a Slam poet and organizer for the 2017 event, explained that Spokane hosted iWPS for the first
time in 2013. In fact, iWPS 2013 Finals ended in the most Spokane way possible, with a tie for first place! The
two poets tied for first were given the option to go another round to break the tie, but they both felt that what
the night, and Spokane, deserved was the feeling of community and celebration that had produced the tie. As
far as he knows, it is the only PSi-organized national-level competition to result in a tie.
Spokane will host iWPS again in October of 2017. A date is not set at this time, but the event will take place
over four days, with side events such as showcases, open mics, and workshops to enhance the festival and provide more opportunities for participation for poets and fans.

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