Round One:  The Beating of Hearts

Round One: The Beating of Hearts
November 06, 2008 – Auburn Saloon (#163 – 115 9th Ave SE)
6:00 pm, $5

MCs: shayne avec i grec (Victoria) & Sean McGarragle (Vancouver)

6:00 National Slam

7:30 Readings: Clifton Joseph (TO) & Sheri-D Wilson (Calgary)

Later: DanceParty with DJ Sublight!

This was the first round of the 2008 National SLAM competition, and we were thrilled to witness a standing room only venue! The crowd was electric as forty-eight poets each performed a three-minute poem to advance their team. Throughout the long night, the energy in the room did not fade, it grew and rose with the vibrant words of each new poet – a testament to the power and innovation that these emerging, young voices brought to the stage.  Dub master Clifton Joseph honored the audience with a performance of his new material and

Sheri-D Wilson performed a beautiful piece about Alberta’s landscape and poetic identity, and a heart-wrenching rendition of her Reena Virk piece.  Vancouver SLAM organizer, Sean McGarragle joined Victoria’s shane avec i grec in MC duties, and did a fantastic job of keeping the night flowing without a hitch.