Our last open mic of 2006 was a doozy: the night started with a series of formal work, including mutiple sonnets and a killer sestina, and ramped up all the way to the 4x4 slam! After four rounds, the Lizard Lounge team came out on top, with Providence just edging out the Cantab Lounge for second and Worcester filling out the rankings. Thanks to all who traveled so far to be here: what a great way to end the Cantab's year.

Now, if you're looking to squeeze one more poetry slam into 2006, you'll want to be at Boston's First Night celebration on Sunday, December 31; specifically, you can come see the Boston Poetry Slam in room 208 of the Hynes Convention Center between 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. All-ages fun, and free with your First Night button!

Next week at the Cantab: we kick off the New Year right with "Normal," Illinois SlamMaster Robbie Q and 2006 IWPS Champion Mike Mcgee. Expect solid, quirky poetry, knock-your-socks-off comedy, and maybe, just maybe, more pudding than you know what to do with.

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Last night's end-of-year open mic welcomed back lots of lost regulars, plus a few brand new readers. The feature, a screening of Philip Hasouris' and Jim Moore's poetry television show, PLACES, was a rousing success, with lots of the featured poets in the house. The semi-final slam thereafter was won by Dan Ames, who dispatched Artie Moffa in four rounds, although not before Artie got three Christmas-themed poems in.

Next week: NorthBeast Regional! Slam teams from the Cantab, Lizard Lounge, Worcester, and Providence, Rhode Island will compete in a Nationals-caliber 4x4 team match. Come out and end your 2006 with a bang!

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Last Wednesday, Jared Paul brought us a heavy-hitting set, tempering his strong messages with some personal work as well. The two-person semi-final was won by Jonathan Chin over A.C. Abbot in a full five-round head-to-head.

This week: the Brockton poetry series PLACES, now in its sixth season, brings a special screening session to the Cantab. Poets featured in the special half-hour compilation episode include Cantab regulars Prabakar T. Rajan, Christoper Kane, Dawn Gabriel, and Su Millerz. A semi-final slam will follow with Dan Ames, Artie Moffa, Unseen the Poet, and Francis Joseph.

Thursday, December 7, 2006

First off: congratulations to Brian Ellis, who will represent the Cantab Lounge at this year's Individual World Poetry Slam in Vancouver, B.C.! Brian won out over nine other competitors at the Middle East last Saturday in front of a crowd of more than three hundred, coming out on top in the final round over Artie Moffa, Dan Ames, and A.C. Abbot. Thanks so much to everyone who came out to cheer on our slammers!

Just last Wednesday, we wound down from the World Qualifier with our annual Head to Head Haiku, hosted by the incomparable Sam R I. A very high-quality eight-poet matched ended up with Ryk McIntyre taking top honors over rookie slammer James Lindsay.

Tonight: Providence SlamMaster Jared Paul, followed by a semi-final slam.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Last night's semi-final slam packed the house: thanks to everyone who came out to see our eighteen slammers fight their way through two rounds for the right to slam at the Middle East this Saturday! At the end of the night, our top ten slammers were:

• Brian Ellis
• Adam Stone
• Jamei Bauer
• Michael Fitzgerald
• Artie Moffa
• A.C. Abbot
• Matt Gallant
• Eric Darby
• Unseen the Poet
• Dan Ames
  (Although Sean Conlon actually qualified, he dropped from the Saturday slam in order to enable another poet to advance.)

All ten poets will slam at the poetry event of the year, the Boston Poetry Slam World Qualifier at the Middle East (472 Mass. Ave.) this Saturday at 7:00! The show is $12 and 18+. Be there or be a conspicuously uncool quadrangle.

Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanks to Magpie Ulysses for traveling all the way from Vancouver to put on a great feature for us; Magpie rocked our stage before flying off to Toronto the next day. After the feature, the last chance qualifier slam to was a nailbiter, won by Jamei Bauer over Gary Hoare.

Next week: the IWPS Qualifier Semi-Final Slam! More than twenty poets are qualified for this two-round speed slam; seasoned slammers and rookies will duke it out with two- and one- minute poems. The top ten poets advance to the World Qualifier on Saturday, December 2! Click here to purchase $12 tickets for the World Qualifier event.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Last night, the Cantab was thrilled to welcome Derrick Brown to his first Boston show; Derrick followed a short, intense open mic with a great feature that combined both his poetic and musical talents. It was definitely a show unlike any other we've had, and lots of poets left the room inspired for next week! The six-person poetry slam was won by Eric Darby, who beat out Summer in the final round.

Next week: Vancouver sensation Magpie Ulysses, followed by the LAST OPEN SLAM to compete in our IWPS Qualifier!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

A warm welcome back to Luke Warm Water, who hasn't been seen at the Cantab in many a year. Luke brought us some great storytelling work and a couple of good belly laughs. An extra-special thanks also to Mike McGee, 2006 IWPS champion, who stopped by for a spotlight feature. The winner of the four-person slam was Delaware poet Liam Coughlin, by a narrow margin over New Hampshire poet Kator the Katron. Thanks to everyone who drove, flew, and hitchiked hundreds of miles just to entertain the locals at the Cantab!

Next week: Derrick Brown took second place at the 1998 National Poetry Slam and has been touring from California to Europe and back ever since. Come see him on his first stop at the Cantab Lounge. Derrick's feature will be followed by the second-last IWPS qualifying open slam.

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Rachel McKibbens' first ever appearance at the Cantab last Wednesday brought the house down; Rachel's powerful work and hilarous inter-poem patter made us a great show. Next time, Rachel, bring more books to sell! The jam-packed slam following the feature was won by Francis Joseph, who got a good run for his money from second-place finisher Colleen.

Next week: Luke Warm Water, Oglala Lakota poet who writes with a sense of hope and a thread of humor. The feature will be followed by an open slam.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Oh, Jack McCarthy: we miss you so, but it makes the one night a year we hear you so spectacular. If you missed Jack's feature, pause in the kicking of yourself to check out his standupoetry Yahoo! group to see where else he'll be reading in New England. Jack's fantastic feature was followed by a speedy four-person slam; New-Hampshire-based Unseen the Poet came out on top, beating first-time slammer and all-freestyle poet Connie in the final round.

Next week: incredibly powerful performer and poet Rachel McKibbens visits from New York. A 2006 National Poetry Slam finalist with the LouderArts team, Rachel will feature at the Cantab for the first time on this night. For the second week in a row, standing room only is expected: plan accordingly.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Scott Woods brought down the house last night with a fantastic feature. Scott read us a stellar selection of his work, from humorous to heavy, before departing New England. Here's hoping he comes back to see us! After the feature, five slammers took the stage in a hotly contested slam; at the end of it, only Maxwell R. Kessler was left standing, just edging out Colleen for the win.

Next week: welcome back Jack McCarthy. Be there or be really, really sorry. And come early if you want a seat!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Well-seasoned performer Marc Marcel brought us his quirky wit and unabashed opinions for last night's feature. Don't miss him on his next mad trek across the country! The slam following Marc's feature was a hot one; recent regular and first-time slammer Artie Moffa upset a visiting Sean Conlon for the win.

Next week: prolific writer and Columbus slam coach Scott Woods, plus an open slam.

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Last night, a packed open mic gave way to Montreal's own Luna Allison, who brought us every kind of love story she knew to make us laugh, sigh, and shake our heads in self-recognition. Congratulations to Dan Ames, who eeked out a win over brand-new slammer Angela.

Next week: storyteller and touring machine Marc Marcel, followed by an open slam.

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Last night's crowd enjoyed one of the most hilarous poets we've had at the Cantab in a very long time: Brendan McLeod reminded us all why humanity is awesome and why not to sit between CFL linebackers on your next flight. The four-person slam was won by Jonathan Chin, who just edged out latecoming sound engineer Erich Hagan (who capped off the evening by repairing our ill-fated mixer after its earlier tumble). Thanks, Erich!

Next week: more Canadians! Montreal musician and poet Luna Allison swings south for a feature.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

A packed house last night welcomed back Michael Brown, long-time organizer and MC of the Boston Poetry Slam. Michael put together a great set for us --funny, serious, and sexy-- with nearly all new work from his forthcoming book. The slam was won by newcomer A.C. over Cara in the final round.

Next week: Vancouver native Brendan McLeod (no, not the Highlander, Ryk) shows us why he's the slam champion of Canada. Stick around for the open slam afterwards!

Friday, September 15, 2006

We had a great night last night to welcome back many of our long-lost students; Sou MacMillan put on a fantastic show, including a lot of great old hits that were totally new to our crowd. Nate took first in the slam over New Hampshire slammer Chris Elliot.

Next week: long-time MC and founder of our slam Michael Brown returns to the scene of the crime. An open slam will follow the feature.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Last week, in a rematch of last season's Champion of Champions match, challenger Brian Ellis and champion Adam Stone again faced off for the title. With new work, new performance, and a few old favorites, the two teammates put each other through the full seven rounds of slam, delighting and entertaining an audience of many new faces. Oh, and Adam won; congratulations to Adam on his fourth Champions of Champions win. Can no one stop this man?

Tonight, rockstar poet (really!) Sou MacMillan takes the stage, bringing her first volume of poetry, Shallow Empires. Sou's feature will be followed by an open slam.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

A remarkable night at the Cantab last night: Ryler Dustin from Washington state gave us another reason to love the northwest poetry scene. If you missed it, stop kicking yourself and catch up with him at another of his shows on his New England tour. After the feature, Brian Ellis won the slam by default over an ailing and absent Ryk McIntyre (feel better, Ryk!), but we still made him sing for his supper; visiting New Yorker Taylor Mali agreed to a three-round demo slam that featured a remarkable breadth of work from both poets. Good fun for all!

Next week: we'll feature a best-of-seven head-to-head slam! Reigning Champion of Champions Adam Stone defends his title against challenger Brian Ellis. Expect surprises.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

What could be better than watching one of the Cantab's open mic regulars get her own chance to shine? How about watching Jamei Bauer feature, buying her debut chapbook, and then a jam-packed semi-final slam where Ryk McIntyre went six poems deep to eliminate Emily Griffin, Samantha Jane Scolamiero, and Douglas Bishop! Thanks to all who came out and made it a great night.

Next week: you would be a fool to miss Ryler Dustin's feature. One of performance poetry's great new voices, Ryler comes to us all the way from Bellingham, Washington, and is sure to stun you with his remarkable work and sincere and moving performance. The feature will be followed by a season final slam with Brian Ellis and Ryk McIntyre facing off in a best-of-five.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Thanks big-time to everyone who showed up last Wednesday and made an audio appearance on the slam team's voicemail: it was great to hear our venue cheering for us before we took the stage in Austin! Extra farewell hugs to Sean Conlon, who hosted us on his last Wednesday before heading to school, and also to Victor Infante, whose great reputation and great work filled the Cantab in our absence.

Last night, on the team's first night back from the National Poetry Slam, Providence poet Kit Wallach brought us her thought-provoking, highly engaging work. The semi-final slam, despite strong showings from Joyce and Fitz, was won by a rampaging Brian Ellis, clearly on fire after his return from Nationals.

Next week: southern transplant Jamei Bauer in her debut feature. Jamei's feature will be followed by a semi-final slam with Emily, Ryk, Samantha, and Douglas.

Friday, August 4, 2006

Thanks to everyone who turned out for the farewell feature for the 2006 Cantab Slam Team. Adam Stone, 125, Simone Beaubien, Dawn Gabriel, and Brian Ellis leave for the National Poetry Slam this week! While they're gone, you can check up on them on the offical NPS website for each night's results.

Next Wednesday: widely published coast-to-coast poet Victor Infante reads his work, followed by the first open slam to qualify for the 2007 slam team tryouts.

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Wow! More than a hundred people packed in to the Cantab last night for the Big East Regional, featuring slam teams from the Lizard Lounge, Worcester, and Providence battling the Cantab team at home in a Nationals-quality four-round bout. Congratulations to the Lizard Lounge team, who took first in the very tight competition!

Next Wednesday: come give the 2006 Cantab Slam Team --Adam Stone, 125, Simone Beaubien, Dawn Gabriel, and Brian Ellis-- a grand send-off as they feature for the crowd before heading off for the National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas. You can expect to hear your favorite solo work as well as some new-to-you group poems as the team waves farewell to the Cantab for a few Wednesdays. Note: a special $5 cover applies tonight to help fund the team's trip to Nationals.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Last night, a particularly excellent open mic was followed by Nick Fox and Tim Cook, who rocked the house on their last tour stop before heading home to Chicago. The open slam was won by Samantha over newcomer Nate Leland.

Next week: the Big East Regional takes over the stage! Slam teams from the Lizard Lounge, Worcester, and Providence take the stage against the Cantab's home team in a four-round match for some very serious bragging rights. Note: a special $5 cover applies tonight to help get these teams to the National Poetry Slam in Austin this August.

Monday, July 17, 2006

At a rare feature reading, Ren Jender gave us something to think about in both poetry and prose. A hot little open slam was won by Ryk McIntyre.

This Wednesday, two cool guys from Chicago: Nick Fox and Tim Cook. An open slam will follow the feature.

Thursday, July 6, 2006

A hot couple of weeks just went by at the Cantab! Two Wednesdays ago, we welcomed Chris August and Granma Dave from D.C. for a super-hot feature; then, last night, Dave Winter lit up the stage with a diverse and interesting set. Our last two slam winners were Joyce and Emily.

Next Wednesday: Amazon Slam founder and fine poet Ren Jender features, followed by an open slam. See you there!

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Last week, California's own LisaAnn LoBasso brought us heady work from her two beautiful books. The slam featured a few ringers from out of town; Chad Anderson from New Jersey got knocked out in the second round by his carpool buddy, Nicole, who went on to take the slam over local rising star Cliff.

This Wednesday, Chris August and Grandma Dave team up for a double feature. Get ready for a fun night with these two energetic slammers and hosts from D.C.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Did you miss Chris Johnson this past Wednesday? If so, you should be sorry; but you can see him again when he performs at the National Poetry Slam with the 2006 Lizard Lounge Slam Team, even though he won't be performing as many poems as he did in his excellent feature. After Chris, Fitz took the two-person slam in three rounds for the big ten dollar prize.

Next week: California poet LisaAnn LoBasso brings her work to the East Coast. An open slam will follow the feature.

Monday, June 12, 2006

This past week, Sarah Sapienza made the long trip south to bring us work both old and new. Our first open slam in the new 8x8 series was won by the rampaging Brian Ellis.

This Wednesday: Lizard Lounge 2006 slam team member Chris Johnson, followed by another open slam.

Thursday, June 1, 2006

An intimate crowd turned out last night for a truly excellent feature; Adam Theilker brought us a selection of work on a variety of themes with a wide range of tones, too. We laughed, we cried, we screamed... Oh, and then we slammed. A stellar Champions of Champions Slam filled with lots of new work was won by Adam Stone, who finally knocked out Brian Ellis in the seventh round.

This Wednesday we'll have Sarah Sapienza come to see us all the way from Vermont! Also, open slams begin again.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Did you miss the Jeff Robinson Trio in their annual appearance at the Cantab? Even if you couldn't be there for their masterful backing of our open mic, you can always catch them on Sundays at the Lizard Lounge. As for the slam, who knows when we'll be lucky enough to see Sean Conlon and Brian Ellis go head-to-head again. Brian took the season championship match three wins to two, including two tied rounds!

Next week, don't miss regular open mic reader Adam Theilker in his Cantab feature debut. His featured will be followed by the Champion of Champions slam, in which new season champ Brian Ellis will take on the reigning champ, Adam Stone.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Last week's double feature was the non-stop slam duo Eirean Bradley and John Mark Huscher, pausing here to feature in the midst of their travels from Worcester to Columbus, Ohio. Drive safe, guys! The semi-final slam came down to sudden death in the fourth round, and Sean Conlon came out with the win.

Next Wednesday: The Jeff Robinson Trio, regulars from our neighboring slam venue, The Lizard Lounge, will back our open mic with their incomparable improv jazz. The open will be followed by the much-awaited Spring Slam Championship, which has worked out to be the Cantab's unofficial Rookie of the Year match as it pits rising local slam stars Brian Ellis and Sean Conlon in a best-of-five head-to-head. Bring your best heckling for this one.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

The house was packed last night to see Ron Goba in his birthday feature; Ron (and some of his workshop compatriots) read to us from his new chapbook, Collage as Silkscreen, wowing old friends and new listeners alike. The semi-final slam ended with Brian Ellis on top: he'll return on May 24 to slam for the season championship.

Next week: Eirean Bradley of the 2005 National Finalist Denver slam team and John Mark Huscher of Omaha slam fame will bring us a double feature. A semi-final with Brian Comiskey, Simone Beaubien, Sean Conlon, and Ryk McIntyre will follow.

Saturday, May 6, 2006

Last week, following a solid open mic that included a spotlight feature from Vancouver's CR Avery, Mesa Peace Officer Corbet Dean brought us a full feature of the work that's got him to the National Poetry Slam Finals stage twice. The speedy two-man slam (last in the 8x8 series) ended up with Ryk McIntyre over Jonathan Chin.

Next Wednesday: the Venerable Doorman returns. Ron Goba will take the stage for his feature at 9:00, a special time for just this week. We'll split the open mic around his feature and finish up with the semi-final slam, which will include Douglas Bishop, Dawn Gabriel, Brian Ellis, and jme.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

What a fine way to close out National Poetry Month: Anis Mojgani brought us a fantastic set of both old and new, to the joy of a spellbound audience. The open slam was won by Sean Conlon, who knocked out Max Kessler in the final round. Good luck to Max and our other departing college students: we'll see you in the fall!

Next Wednesday: kicking off The Poetry-Filled Month After National Poetry Month Corbet Dean, police officer and National Poetry Slam repeat individual finalist. The open mic will also include special spotlight guest CR Avery, and we'll wrap up the night with the last open slam in this 8x8 series.

Friday, April 21, 2006

This past Wednesday, the Cantab Lounge celebrated the long-awaited return of Patricia Smith back to the venue she helped create. After an hour-long set, the audience let her leave the stage, but only on the condition that we'd see her again before another eight years go by. Welcome back, Patricia.

This week: 2005 National Poetry Slam Individual co-champ Anis Mojgani breaks your heart and puts it back together again, but better. Expect another hot night at the Cantab.

Friday, April 13, 2006

The Boston Poetry Slam at the Cantab Lounge has a 2006 slam team, and they are:

• Adam Stone
• 1two5
• Simone Beaubien
• Dawn Gabriel
• Brian Ellis

Thanks go out to Alex Charalambides and Ryk McIntyre, our intrepid hosts, as well as scorekeeper Jamei Bauer and timekeeper Caroline Harvey. Extra-special thanks to our five consistent teams of judges, who stayed on to judge all four rounds of poetry. Congratulations to our team!

Next week: National Poetry Month is only half over, people. You'd be a fool to miss Patricia Smith's return to the Cantab Lounge.

Sunday, April 9, 2006

Did you miss the excitement last week? In an intense, two-round, fourteen-poet competition hosted by Alex Charalambides and Caroline Harvey, five veteran slammers were ousted, some by just one tenth of a point. Yowza!

This Wednesday, the top nine slammers will advance for four more rounds of slamming. Last five standing will comprise the 2006 Cantab Slam Team! Slamming this week:

Simone Beaubien, 1two5, Dawn Gabriel, Sean Conlon, Jme, Adam Stone, Erich Hagan, Brian Ellis, Brian Comiskey

Special $5 cover charge helps pay for the team's trip to the National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas this August. Come on out to cheer on your favorites!

Saturday, April 1, 2006

This past week, the Cantab welcomed Tony Brown for a fine feature, including lots of new work, a few old classics, and, of course, Snakes On a Plane. Our last chance open slam was won by Simone Beaubien by just a few tenths over Erich Hagan in the final round.

Next week: there's no bigger poetry slam in town! Join us to cheer and heckle as we select the 2006 Cantab Slam Team. The following poets are qualified for the two-round Team Slam Semi-Finals:

Caitlin Costello, Sean Conlon, Jared Paul, Erich Hagan, Adam Stone, 1two5, Jacob Carter, Tony Baldor, Gary Hoare, Audrey Holst, Danny Balel, Samantha Jane Scolamiero, Ryk McIntyre, Eric Darby, Douglas Bishop, Brian Ellis, jme, Brian Comiskey, Simone Beaubien

See you there!

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Last night, an open mic of particularly wonderful poetry followed a feverish but still fabulous Dawn Gabriel. The very-full slam was won by Brian Comiskey over visiting Minneapolis poet Lisa Arnold. Just one more slam left to qualify for the Cantab team slams!

Next week: Worcester punk and poet Tony Brown, followed by the last chance to qualify for Cantab Slam Team tryouts.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Thanks to everyone who came out this past Wednesday and helped us raise money for Corrina Bain's work with Total Control of the Epidemic. Her last Boston feature (before departing for Africa!) was intense and beautiful. In the following slam, despite Brian Comiskey's recent hot streak, jme took the win to qualify for team tryouts on April 5. Only two qualifying slams remain!

Next week: rockstar poet Dawn Gabriel features, followed by an open slam.

Friday, March 9, 2006

Last night, Aaron Enskat and Steven Meads made us laugh until our stomachs hurt with some of the geekiest poetry this side of Normal, Illinois. The open slam was jam-packed with all-stars, but newcomer Brian Ellis took home the win by a slim margin over Caroline Harvey.

Next week: the incredible Corrina Bain in her last Boston feature before leaving for Africa. Don't miss this one. Special $5 cover charge to help fund Corrina's work with Total Control of the Epidemic.

Sunday, March 5, 2006

Our feature this past week was Ryk McIntyre, Cantab co-host and member of the Cantab's 1991 and 2005 slam teams. Ryk entertained us with lots of new work, plus a few old standbys. The slam was won by Dawn Gabriel, who narrowly edged out Brian Comiskey in the final round.

Next week: Aaron Enskat and Steven Meads, all the way from California for a double feature. Just four open slams remain to qualify for 2006 Cantab Slam Team tryouts!

Thursday, February 23, 2006

A heavy night at the Cantab last night, as lots of old school open mic'ers came out to pay tribute to the late Lisa King, powerful poet and member of the 1993 championship Cantab Slam Team, who passed away at her home in Somerville last week. Plans for a memorial service will be posted here as details are worked out.

Following the open mic, National Poetry Slam Individual Finalist Eric Darby brought us a fine feature, followed by a packed open slam won by Douglas Bishop.

Next week: Cantab co-host and '05 slam team member Ryk McIntyre, followed by one of the last few open slam sleft before team qualifiers.

Friday, February 17, 2006

You did it again, didn't you? --You went out to the Cantab, listened to one too many poets... And woke up the next morning with a poem you don't remember taking to bed. Ah, another successful Erotic Poetry Night at the Cantab Lounge. Congrats to Adam Stone, who took Ryk McIntyre in eight rounds of a Box of Doom Champion of Champions slam; Adam maintains his title and Ryk lives to slam another day.

Next week: Eric Darby, storyteller, mechanic, dreamer, and poet releases his first CD and chapbook. Cover charge is $5 as a fundraiser for Food Not Bombs.

Friday, February 10, 2006

Another hot night on the open mic this Wednesday was followed by Albuquerque natives Damien Flores and Adam Rubinstein. The season final slam was won by an on-fire Ryk McIntyre over Audrey Holst.

Next week: forget Valentine's Day. What you want is the Cantab's annual Erotic Poetry Night. The evening's erotic open mic will be followed by the Champion of Champions slam, where reigning champion Adam Stone takes on challenger Ryk McIntyre.

Friday, February 3, 2006

Lots of newcomers on the open mic this past Wednesday. Hope to see you guys again soon! If Ken Arkind and Panama Soweto's incredible solo and duet work don't bring 'em back, we don't know what will... Maybe the incredible semi-final slam, which Ryk McIntyre took over Eric Darby in the final round.

Next week: long-lost local Adam Rubinstein with Albuquerque native and youth slammer Damien Flores. Bring your listening ears, and perhaps a Spanish dictionary. The feature will be followed by Audrey Holst and Ryk McIntyre in a best-of-five slam for the season championship!

Friday, January 27, 2006

This past Wednesday we had a stellar open mic, followed by a semi-final slam, wherein Audrey Holst showed Danny and Gary the door. Audrey will advance to the season championship on February 8 against the second semi-final winner.

Next week: remarkable Denver poets Ken Arkind and Panama Soweto finally make their way to the cold Northeast. Come out to give them a warm welcome, then stay for the second semi-final slam with Samantha Jane Scolamiero, Ryk McIntyre, Eric Darby, and Sean Conlon.

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Last night, Gary Hoare gave us all a steamy preview of what the Cantab's Annual Erotic Poetry Night might be like this year. Yowza! The slam was won by Eric Darby, who looks to be in tip-top condition for his trip to IWPS 2006...

Next week: a semi-final slam! Come and cheer and heckle your favorite poets as Gary Hoare, Audrey Holst, Erich Hagan, and Danny Balel duke it out for $25 and a shot at the season championship.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Thanks to everyone who came out last night to see Blair, Detroit slam champ, member of the 2002 National Poetry Slam championship team, and recent returnee from South Africa. Blair entertained us with his slam-winning poetry and even gave us little sample of his original folk music. Congratulations also to Ryk McIntyre, who took last night's slam over Valerie.

Next week: slam veteran, local favorite, and unknown quantity Gary Hoare will feature. Expect the unexpected! Open slam to follow.

Sunday, January 8, 2006

Happy New Year from the Cantab! We rang in 2006 on Wednesday with Christa Bell, currently the third-ranked slammer in the world. Christa started in Seattle and took a plane, a train and a bus to get to Cambridge in time to kick off her world tour with us. The slam was won by Samantha Jane Scolamiero. Just eight slams remain to qualify to try out for the Cantab team this April!

Thanks to everyone for a great 2005. And thanks, also, to the Boston Globe for starting our year off right with this little article about the local slam scene.

Next Wednesday: urban folk poet and singer/songwriter Blair takes time out from his busy schedule as a Def Jam poet and Detriot Slam Champion to stop for a feature in Beantown.

Miss something? Click here for news from 2005.