This just in from Samuel, the slammaster of Nelson, BC's new poetry slam. I though I'd open up his questions to the community at large, as well as let other poets know that he is looking for performers...
Well, hi!
In case the exciting news has yet to reach the Big City, I'd like to be the first to announce the birthing of British Columbia's newest Poetry Slam! The first Nelson Poetry Slam was held on the second Sunday in February and we packed the house. We just held the second, this last Sunday, and yet again packed the house.
Having participated in but never organized and run a Poetry Slam, I'm sorta flying by the seat of my pants. Though the results have been encouraging so far, I thought I'd look to my "older siblings" to the west for any advice, encouragement or support you might have to offer.
So far, we've found a great venue, set up a website (nelsonpoetryslam.com) and have begun the process of applying for a grant from Columbia Basin Trust.
I'm not entirely sure what form this "advice, encouragement or support" might take. At the very least I hoped to draw attention to our existence. Are there other poetry slams or events that you folks have collaborated with, sponsored, or otherwise worked with? What did that look like? Where does your funding come from? Any advice? One idea I had was that someone might make an announcement at a Van Slam or two that any traveling poets interested in performing at a local Slam would be warmly received here in Nelson. Our Slams happen on the second Sunday of every month. Perhaps you have a mailing list that an announcement could be sent out to?
Let me know if anything comes to mind! We're excited to follow in the footsteps of well-woven Slam communities such as yours.
Yours in Word,
Samuel
Nelson Slammaster
