THE ALL-CITY POETRY SLAM 2025: THE SEMIFINALS!
Schedule
Fri Nov 28 2025 at 08:00 pm to 11:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Aretha's Jazz Cafe | Detroit, MI
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12 Incredible Poets will compete for $500 cash and the opportunity to compete for $1,500 in the finals!About this Event
THE ALL-CITY POETRY SLAM 2025 IS COMING!
12 Poets will compete for $500 and the chance to battle the Detroit area's BEST for $1,500 and the title of ALL-CITY SLAM CHAMPION 2025!
THE ALL-CITY POETRY SLAM:THE SEMIFINALS!
HOSTED BY JOEL FLUENT GREENE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH
ARETHA'S JAZZ CAFE
350 MADISON
DOWNTOWN, DETROIT
DOORS: 7PM
SHOWTIME: 8PM (SHARP)
TICKETING:
-Poet registration: $20 (on sale Friday, October 10th @ Noon!)
-Early bird admission: $35
-Advance general admission: $45
-Reserved Table for 2: $100
-Reserved Table for 4: $200
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SLAM RULES:
COMPETING POETS MUST BE A MICHIGAN RESIDENT AND RESIDE IN WAYNE, OAKLAND, MACOMB or WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Poet registration begins Friday, October 10th @ Noon. Registration is $20 and is available for purchase via Eventbrite.
Slam is open to ages 18 & 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 champions ARE NOT allowed to compete, but previous winners of The Half-A-Stack Poetry Slam are allowed to compete.
Must use original poems.
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.
-The 3 poets to advance to the last round will also advance to the finals, held in DECEMBER 2025 at a venue and date announced soon.
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.
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Where is it happening?
Aretha's Jazz Cafe, 350 Madison Street, Detroit, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Tickets
USD 23.18 to USD 215.26
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