DETROIT –
The Pic-Nap Poetry Series & Slam is presenting its second annual slam invitational this month. The last two semi-finals will take place at the Java Exchange Cafe, located at 440 Burroughs, on April 13 and 20. The 15 semifinalists – five from each night – will perform at the PicNap-Poetry Final Stage at the Max M. Fisher Music Center on April 27.
Random judges from the audience determine the top performances. The winner will claim the title of grand slam champion. The top five poets will comprise the Detroit PicNap Slam Team and represent the Motor City at the annual National Poetry Slam to take place later this year in Austin, Texas. The Detroit slam team won the national title in 2002.
"We are extremely excited to be in a position to increase the exposure of slam poetry in our hometown," said local activist and slam master Johnny Jenkins Jr., who is known as Jy-Obadele in poetry circles.
The Pic-Nap Poetry Series began in Detroit in 2004. Slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance and encourages poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. Slams are competitive events where poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience.
"It's fun and inspiring being able to work with the best emerging performance and literary artist in Detroit," said Kalimah Johnson, Pic-Nap's co-founder.
For more information on the Pic-Nap Poetry Series & Slam, visit www.picnap-poetry.com
-compiled by Jason A. Michael
