THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN SLAM ULIT! THE FOLLOWING IS TO ANSWER SOME OF THE
COMMON QUESTIONS WE'VE ENCOUNTERED.
WHAT IS A SLAM/ SLAM POETRY?
Slam poetry is a composite genre that combines elements of poetry, theater, performance, and storytelling.
A POETRY SLAM IS...
A competitive poetry performance in which selected audience members score performers, and winners are
determined by total points.
SLAM ULIT is... the only PSi registered slam in Kansas City dedicated to not only slam and slam poets, but
providing them an opportunity to represent Kansas City as a whole and one of our Poetry community's most
prolific and historic brands: ULIT, at the National Poetry Slam.
WHY SHOULD I SLAM?
In addition to getting a chance to be a part of history by being on ULIT's first PSi registered slam team, the team
anticipates attending the Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Little Rock, AR (June 2 – June 6th, 2015), and the 2015
National Poetry Slam in Oakland, CA in August, (exact dates TBA) along with other exclusive career building
opportunities and slam team member privileges. Oh and we're giving out a cash prize for first place!
WHAT TIME DOES IT START?
Sign up for the slam is from 7- 7:30 Only. Not 6:45 not 7:32. The list closes promptly at 7:30. The slam starts
approximately at 8. We ask kindly that all competing poets, please arrive and sign up on time.
HOW MANY POEMS WILL I NEED TO COMPETE ?
We encourage all poets to have at least 3 different poems ready to perform. One for both rounds of the slam,
should you advance, and one just in case there is a tie and a tie breaker round needs to be held.
HOW WILL MY POEMS BE JUDGED?
5 judges from the audience will be selected to judge poems with the following criteria: content, originality, creativity,
and delivery. The poems will be scored on a scale from 1-10** with one being the lowest possible score, and 10 being
the highest. Decimals are encouraged. The lowest and the highest score will be dropped and the sum of the 3 median
scores will make your total for the round.
**Remember
No matter your Score, it reflects the opinions of 5 strangers in the room. In no way should it negatively affect or does
it reflect the quality of poet you are. The points are not the point, the poetry is the point.
WHAT IF THERE IS A TIE?
In the event of a tie, a one poem tie breaker round will be held, with the audience deciding the winner by applause.
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
In the event of a weather delay we will make announcements of a cancellation at least 2 hours prior to the show-- if possible--
and the slam will be made up on the next available Tuesday (with the exception of 3rd Tuesdays. Much love to Jazz Poetry Jams)
CAN I INVITE FRIENDS?
Yes, by all means. Encourage your friends to come out, support and cheer you on. The more the merrier! We have to pack this
thing out every time and we can't do it without your help!
NOTE:
IN THE EXTREME INTEREST OF FAIRNESS, none of the slam judges may have a personal relationship with any of the competing
poets. This means if you're competing no family, lovers, co-workers, BFFs, people you drove to the show with, ex-lovers, side chicks,
folks who owe you money, etc. should volunteer when we call for judges. However, maybe mama and nems' cheers could sway an
indecisive judge so please still invite them out anyway.
DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN KANSAS CITY, MO. TO BE ON THE TEAM?
While team members are not required to live within KCMO city limits, everyone is expected to regularly and faithfully attend practices
if selected for the team.
IS THERE AN OPEN MIC?
From 7:15-8 o'clock only, we provide a TEEN open mic. This mic is open to ltab and Bnv hopefuls and gives them a chance to grow
in their craft as young slam artists. However, Kansas City does provide many lovely venues for your adult open mic needs, try
ULIT's Thursday night event Poets and Storytellers for example.
