2nd Annual Lyrical Balladry Poetry Slam

🎤 Lyrical Balladry: Where Poetry Comes Alive! 🎶

Get ready to be swept away on a journey of words, emotions, and rhythm at "Lyrical Balladry" – the ultimate celebration of spoken word artistry!

🌟 Experience the Magic: Step into a world where every syllable holds power, every verse paints a picture, and every performer leaves you spellbound. From heartfelt ballads to electrifying rhymes, immerse yourself in the raw, unfiltered beauty of poetry in motion.

🎵 Feel the Beat: Let the cadence of each word wash over you as poets take the stage, weaving tales of love, loss, hope, and triumph. With each snap, clap, and cheer from the audience, the energy in the room crackles with anticipation, building to crescendos of pure poetic passion.

💫 Join the Movement: Whether you're a seasoned poetry aficionado or a newcomer eager to explore the world of spoken word, "Lyrical Balladry" welcomes all with open arms. Feel the power of community as you connect with fellow poetry lovers, share stories, and ignite your imagination.

🏆 Witness Greatness: Be there as poets compete for glory, pouring their hearts out on stage in pursuit of the coveted title of "Verse Vanguard Champion." With $500 and bragging rights on the line, every performance promises to be a spectacle you won't soon forget.

🎟️ Secure Your Seat: Don't miss your chance to witness the magic of "Lyrical Balladry."

Grab your tickets now and prepare to be moved, inspired, and utterly captivated by the beauty of poetry in all its glory! Tickets prices will be as follows:

$10 - Until May 22nd

$15 - May 23-June 20

$20 - June 21st or at the Door the Day of the Event!

Get ready to embark on a poetic adventure like no other at "Lyrical Balladry" – where every word has the power to change the world. See you there! 🌟

**Event Rules:**

**Contestant Eligibility:**

   - Contestants must meet the eligibility criteria specified by the event organizers.

   - Each contestant must prepare three original pieces of poetry to be performed in Rounds 1, 2, and 3 respectively.

**Entry Fee:**

   - Each contestant is required to pay an entry fee of $25 upon registration.

   - However, this fee will be immediately waived once five tickets are purchased in support of the contestant by their supporters.

**Performance Rounds:**

   - Round 1: 8-12 poets will compete, performing their first piece.

   - Round 2: The top-scoring poets from Round 1 (approximately 5 poets) will compete, performing their second piece.

   - Round 3 (Final Round): The top-scoring poets from Round 2 (3 poets) will compete, performing their third piece.

**Performance Time Limit:**

   - Each poet will have a maximum of 3 minutes to perform their piece in each round.

   - A 10-second grace period will be allowed after the 3-minute mark, during which no points will be deducted. However, for every 30 seconds exceeded beyond the 3-minute 10-second mark, 1 point will be deducted from the poet's score.

**Scoring:**

   - Each performance will be scored by a panel of 5 judges.

   - Judges will assign scores to the nearest tenth from 0.0 to 10.0.

   - After each performance, the highest and lowest scores for each poet will be discounted, and the sum of the remaining three scores will determine the total score for the performance.

   - Scores from each round will be accumulated to determine the overall scores for each poet.

**Prospective Audience Voting:**

   - During Rounds 1 and 2, audience members may have the opportunity to vote for their favorite poets via text message.

   - The poet who receives the highest number of audience votes will become exempt from elimination by the judges and automatically advance to the next round.

   - Votes will be tallied electronically or manually, with each audience member allowed one vote per round.

**Content Guidelines:**

   - Poems must be original works created by the poet.

   - Content must adhere to guidelines for language, themes, and imagery appropriate for a diverse audience.

**Judging Criteria:**

   - Judges will evaluate performances based on criteria such as creativity, delivery, emotional impact, and overall performance.

   - Poets are encouraged to engage the audience and deliver their pieces with passion and authenticity.

**Code of Conduct:**

   - Respectful behavior and inclusivity are expected from all participants, judges, and audience members.

   - Harassment, discrimination, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

 **Prizes:**

    - $500 Cash Prize for 1st Place

Host or Publisher Ivan Velez