InBerkeley

What do you get when you combine poetry with storytelling, comedy, dramatic monologue, battle rap, song and dance?  You have a new art form called Performance Poetry!

What happens when these new performers compete, judged by members of the audience?  You get a Poetry Slam.

And what elite final event remains after thousands of poets from across the globe compete for a year?  You get the Individual World Poetry Slam 2009.

Seventy-two poets from around the world will converge on Berkeley in October to compete in this event.  Preliminary competition, daytime workshops, themed open mics and late-night events will be held October 8 and 9 in South Berkeley at the Starry Plough, La Pena Cultural Center and the Long Haul.  Finals will start at 8:00 p.m. on October 10 at Wheeler Auditorium on the UC Berkeley campus.  Click here and here for the full schedule of events.

Tickets must be purchased in advance for preliminary and semifinal bouts, late-night events and the final competition. Other events are free. Tickets go on sale September 10. Discounts are available for group ticket sales to schools and youth groups.

Visit the Individual World Poetry Slam web site for more information.

Mark Haas Arts, Events, South Berkeley, UC Berkeley