A VERY DETROIT POETRY SLAM.
About this Event
Joel Fluent Greene PRESENTS
A VERY DETROIT POETRY SLAM.
If you know me, you know how much of what I do is rooted in Detroit. Deeply rooted!
So for this one, I wanted to create a poetry competition where Detroit isn’t just where the event happens, Detroit is the subject.
I’m bringing together 12 Detroit-based poets to compete for $500, and every poem has to speak to this city in some way. Our neighborhoods. Our people. Our culture. Our history. The things we love about Detroit. The things we wrestle with. The things that have changed. The things we refuse to let disappear.
Basically, I want to hear Detroit through 12 different voices.
And I wanted the judging to feel just as intentional.
We’ll have three judges who are actually out here moving and shaping Detroit’s poetry, arts, and creative community. People who know the culture because they’re part of the culture.
And I don’t want the Detroit theme to stop with the poetry.
We’ll have Detroit music playing throughout the night, Detroit-based vendors on deck, and a special cocktail dedicated to the city. I want the whole room to feel like US. Feel like Detroit.
If you’ve been to one of my events before, you already know I take the competition seriously (while having big fun with my audience), but I care just as much about creating a night that feels like something.
And this one is for home.
12 Detroit poets.
3 Detroit judges.
$500 on the line.
One city at the center of everything.
Come hear what Detroit sounds like when we tell our own stories.
SATURDA, SEPTEMBER 12TH
ARETHA'S JAZZ CAFE
350 MADISON
DOWNTOWN, DETROIT
DOORS: 7PM
SHOWTIME: 8PM
TICKETING:
-Poet Registration (New Poets) $10.00
-Poet Registration (Past Competitors) $20.00
-Early Bird admission: $25.00
-General Admission: $35.00
-Reserved Table For 2: $90.00
-Reserved Table For 4: $180.00
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SLAM RULES:
Poet registration begins Friday, August 14th @ Noon. Registration is available for purchase via this Eventbrite page.
Slam is open to ages 21 & up.
12 poets will compete.
NO REFUNDS (Show up!)
There will be 3 rounds (please be prepared to perform at least 4 poems total in case of a tie in the final round).
Former All-City Slam, and ONE GRAND POETRY SLAM winners are NOT allowed to compete. If you won one of my slams this year you have to graciously sit this one out.
All competing poems MUST BE ABOUT DETROIT.
No time limit per poem.
NO PROPS ALLOWED.
THERE IS NO CENSORSHIP, BUT HATE SPEECH OF ANY KIND IS NOT ALLOWED.
There will be 3 pre-selected judges. Judges will remain a secret until close to the event date.
Slam will be scored using the decimal system. Ex: 8.7
Highest score allowed is 10.
-First round will include all 12 poets.
-Second round will consist of the top 6 highest scoring poets from round one, eliminating the bottom 6.
-Third round will consist of the top 3 highest scoring poets from round 2, eliminating the bottom 3.
-Out of the 3 poets who made it to the final round, there will be one winner.
All poets must arrive NO LATER than 7:30 PM day of show. Late arrival = LOSING YOUR SPOT.
Slam starts at 8PM SHARP.
Performers do not receive comp guests. All attendees that aren't competing must pay the required cover charge.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 12.51 to USD 193.92


















