The London Beat London, Ontario’s stream of consciousness
On Friday night, ten poetry slam finalists will lay it down at the biggest show of the year, in their attempt to earn a berth on the 2018 London Poetry Slam team. At stake, a trip to the national slam competition called the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, in Guelph in October.
The ten competing poets are: Eric Trudell, Alan Leangvan, Inali Barger, Michelle Grove, Catherine Moore, Brittany Renaud, Spencer Reid, Libby Campbell, Michael V., and Chris M. Special musical guest Richard Gracious from Mountain of Wolves will also be performing. There will be no open mic competition on Finals night.
If you’ve never been to a London Poetry Slam, you’ll be captivated by not only the poets but also the participation of the audience.
When a poet is reading, and the listener hears something emotionally familiar, they snap their fingers so as not to distract the performance while still showing support. Like Beatniks. Before the poets perform, the host yells “Show the Love”. When a poem is finished, the audience erupts in cheers and claps for the performer. While each poem is judged out of ten, you will hear the familiar refrain, “the points are not the point, the poetry is the point,” from the host.
After all, while this is the Slam finals, Slam poetry is not about the competition, so much as hearing each other and creating a space for creativity and connection.
The event is always a cerebral and emotional journey, for both audience and poet. Some poems deliver gut-wrenching dialogue about a past better forgotten. Others will send you into a deep belly laugh. Empathy coming from all directions.
It’s a fantastic night out at any time, but the Slam Finals will obviously feature the Slam poets that have set the bar this year. Slam price is $10 at the door. Support London Poetry Slam, and help them keep bringing passionate performance poetry to London and begin a new Youth Mentorship Program.
Put a little soul in your life, and visit the Aeolian Hall on Friday night.
Snap. Snap. Snap.
More information:
Show is at 7:30pm, but the doors open at 6:30pm.
Slam price: $10 (at the door, cash only, ATM on site)
For more information, visit the London Poetry Slam website, or follow them on Twitter @LDNPoetrySlam.
