Art Chowder September | October 2016, Issue 5 | Page 51

Isaac Grambo tells why poets might want to do
this, “I think the biggest reason to get involved
with slam as a poet is the evaluative part of the
competition. At an open mic, everyone claps
and you go back to your seat and, unless you ask
someone for feedback, you don’t get any kind of
constructive critique. While the numbers involved in slam judging are impersonal, they do
give you an instant gauge about how well you are
communicating with strangers.”
Fitz Fitzpatrick who is the reigning Spokane Slam
Champion is in her second year representing
Spokane at the iWPS. When asked about her experiences she stated, “I’ve been coming to Broken
Mic on and off since I was 18, but found a home
there after the National Poetry Slam last year in a
moment where I was basically starving for more
poetry in my life. It’s the only open mic I’ve heard
of that can match that ravenous energy and it
does that every week. The people that show up
love poetry and love poets. People don’t just read
their work, they perform it and express it and the
audience gives back ten-fold. Spokane’s identity
as an arts community is one of inclusivity and
authentic vulnerability. If you show up to Broken
Mic or a slam you’ll be welcomed with open arms
and hear words that absolutely shred. I’ve been
honored also the past six months to take part in
hosting one of the local poetry slams. Investing
more time into this community and giving back
has been food for my soul and I’m pumped to
encourage others the way this world has encouraged me.”

Slam Poetry Photo Credit: Chandra Dee Photography

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