You thought the open mic was good before? Clearly, you'd never heard the Masters of Making Everybody Sound Incredible: namely, the Jeff Robinson Trio. Jerome Deupree, Blake Neumann, and SlamMaster Jeff himself stopped by on their way to their regular Sunday Lizard Lounge gig to say hello to the Cantab. There were plenty of highlights, but the best part of a night like this is having both Cambridge slam venues together on the same stage. Thanks for coming by, guys.

Oh, right, and after the open mic, we ran a little show we like to call the Champion of Champions Slam, a best-of-seven with reigning champ Adam Stone taking on challenger Brian S. Ellis. This was the THIRD TIME these guys had slammed for the title, so they decided to make it a little more interesting by adding themed rounds to the mix! Sure, anybody can have a slam and mix up the time limits... But who arranges a round where the poets each cover their opponent? Who runs a Cape Cod round?? Brian and Adam, apparently; at the end of eight rounds (because why have a seven-round slam when the poets can have at least one tie?) Brian walked away with the dual titles of Champion of Champions of the Cantab Lounge and 2007 Cape Cod Poet Laureate (which Adam claimed was his to give). What a fun, fun show.

Next week: holy criminy! Andrea Gibson and Katie Wirsing are coming from Denver! These ladies are good, good, good, and have an offical metric pantload of finals stage appearances to back them up. This will also be Katie's first time reading at the Cantab, so come on out and give the lady her first-timer hand. Also, open slams start again, so go ahead and put your name on the list to try for the $10 prize.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Seriously, folks, you had to be there: if you weren't, you missed Jack McCarthy's spotlight feature on the open mic, Genevieve Van Cleve's hilarious and biting Texas commentary, and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett's heady and sweet portrait of New Orleans. You may also have missed a certain Houston senator's office number... Yeah, it was a good night.

Oh, and the head-to-head season championship slam was won by Brian Ellis, who dispatched an on-fire Nate Leland in only three rounds! The people have spoken: Brian will face off with Adam Stone next week in a special theme-round version of the Champion of Champions slam. Best of seven takes the title and the $100.

Our feature next week, of course, will be the amazing Jeff Robinson Trio, who will back our open mic with improv jazz. Want a preview? Stop by the Lizard Lounge this Sunday for their team finals and hang out to see the Trio back the open mic in their home venue.

Friday, May 11, 2007

A bittersweet Wednesday this week: on the open mic, we said goodbye to regular reader Carrie Rudzinski, who leaves us for London until next November. Then we said goodbye to our feature, longtime Cantab host Valerie Lawson, who moves to Maine this weekend! Fortunately, plenty of us have copies of Valerie's new book, Dog Watch, to keep her in our hearts even while she's so far away. Come and visit any time.

Next week, we'll see southern duo Genevieve Van Cleve and Susan B.A. Somers-Willett in a double feature. Expect great fun and surprises from this remarkable pair of writer/performers. We'll finish off the night by pitting our two eight-by-eight semi-finalists against one another: Nate Leland and Brian Ellis will face off for the season championship. See you there!

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Last week, Chicago hip-hop artist and perennial National Poetry Slam competetitor Billy Tuggle brought us a solid set of thoughtful work. There's just nothing like walking out of the Cantab knowing you've heard somebody great you'd never heard before, is there? The semi-final slam that night was a barnburning three-loss knockout won by Nate Leland over Jess Del Balzo and Jamei Bauer. Congrats to Nate, who advances to the season championship on May 15!

Tonight: we know you've missed Valerie Lawson since she retired from hosting at the Cantab. How lucky to have her back for a full feature this evening! Valerie's set will be followed by the second semi-final in our eight-by-eight slam series.

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Finally, finally: after three years of working to get Barbara Adler into our venue to feature, we finally connected... And, boy, was it worth the wait. After our exceptionally good open mic softened up the crowd, Boston/Albuquerque transplant Adam Rubinstein warmed up the place with a fifteen-minute spotlight. Adam read from his newest book, Freshwater Dredge, a selection of poems about growing up in Wellesley, Mass. After that, we had the joy of listening to Barbara's wonderful selection of story-poems, touching on topics from singing monks to crab tribulations and plenty of remarkable ideas in between. Come back any time, Barbara!

Next week: Chicago hip-hop poet and B-Boy Billy Tuggle. He's on a marathon tour and this is his first trip to Boston, so come by and make him feel welcome!

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Psst! Barbara Adler at the Cantab tonight! Also...

SlamPlanet screenings tomorrow and Saturday in Somerville! Details:
Slam Planet: War of the Words
Directed By: Mike Henry, Kyle Fuller
Thurs, April 26 at 7pm, Somerville Theater (Davis Square)
Sat, April 28 at 4:45pm, Somerville Theater (Davis Square)

We saw this movie screened about two years ago and it's great fun for slammers and non-slammers alike. Here's a good opportunity to help out your friends who don't understand what the heck you do on Wednesday nights. The movie is directed by Mike Henry (you know, one of the guys running the National Poetry Slam this year?) and features Rachel McKibbons, Anis Mojgani, Andrea Gibson, plus Rives as the bad guy, among plenty of others you might recognize.

It's all part of the Boston Independent Film Festival, so you can support slam poetry and the local arts economy at the same time. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Thanks so much to all those who came out for the final Doc Brown's Traveling Poetry Troupe feature. Watch for their next incarnation in the near future! The demo slam? Well, it was a demo, so it was won by everybody... But mostly by Dan Ames, who squeezed out Caroline Harvey for the win over Alex Charalambides, Spak, and Mark Palos. Oh, and the audience won! The audience always wins.

Who's out of poetry steam now that National Poetry Month is drawing to a close? Not us! And certainly not Barbara Adler, touring poet from Vancouver. After years of coaxing, we finally get her into the Cantab to feature. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Patricia Smith rocked the house last night. 'Nuff said. If you were there, you probably made mighty good friends with your seat neighbors, all stuffed up next to them like you were. Thanks especially to our open mic-ers who put up with a myriad of sound woes, and to Erich Hagan who lent us some really-for-real working equipment so we could have an amplified feature.

Next Boston Poetry Slam Show:

Special for National Poetry Month! Sunday, April 22, 2007
Swing by Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway Theater in Somerville for an all-ages night of poetry and fun. Michael Brown, author of four poetry books, national slam finalist, and member of a championship slam team, brought the poetry slam to New England in 1991. For thirteen years he hosted at the Cantab Lounge, then turned to doing theatrical productions of original poetry performed by local poets. The latest incarnation of Dr. Brown's Traveling Poetry Show will perform for one hour, followed by an all-star poetry slam hosted by Simone Beaubien. Confirmed slammers so far: Caroline Harvey, Brian Ellis, Erich Hagan, and The Spak.

This show kicks off at 7:30 at Jimmy Tingle's in Davis Square in Somerville. Tickets are $15 and the show is all ages.

Looking for photos from the last big show? Check out what you missed when Marc Smith came to town last week.

Friday, April 13, 2007

Thanks to everybody who braved the weather to come out and see Marc Smith last night. We had a small but intense crowd, and every poet performed as though the house were packed! Also, the Jeff Robinson Trio was on, earning some heavy compliments from the Slampapi... And the night closed with a one-of-a-kind on-stage improv party with every poet and musician in the show, plus a few from from the audience. Wow: just wow.

Kicking yourself for missing it? You can still catch Marc this Sunday in Worcester at the Java Hut's weekly reading (see the venue links on the left for details). Or, if staying in for the weekend with a hot cup of April cocoa is more your style, rest up and come see Patricia Smith this Wednesday at the Cantab.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

THE BIG MARC SMITH SHOW IS TONIGHT!
Come to the Y Theater at 820 Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. Doors open at 7:00, show starts at 8:00: you'll see Adam Stone, Duende, Iyeoka Okoawo, and the founder of the poetry slam himself, Chicago poet Marc Smith! Just $12 at the door. Proceeds benefit the 2007 Cantab and Lizard Lounge slam teams.

In other news...

Your 2007 Cantab Slam Team:

• Simone Beaubien
• Shira Erlichman
• Harlym125
• Brian Ellis
• Jme

Eliminated finalists: Erich Hagan, Dan Ames, Douglas Bishop, Emily Griffin, Adam Stone. Special thanks over these last two Wednesdays to our judges and staff, including hosts Ryk McIntyre and Caroline Harvey, bout manager Dawn Gabriel, scorekeepers Eric Darby and Omoisele Okoawo, and timekeeper Kit Wallach. Hm... Our staff makes a pretty good slam team, too.

Next week: Patricia Smith. Need I say more?

Saturday, April 8, 2007

Last Wednesday, sixteen qualifed slammers battled it out for the top nine spots to advance to next week's finals! At the end of the night, Jonathan Chin, Artie Moffa, Ayden Frost, Jamei Bauer, Nate Leland, and Jess Del Balzo were elminated from the competition. The following ten poets (due to a tie) will advance to next week:

• Brian Ellis
• Shira Erlichman
• Harlym125
• Simone Beaubien
• Jme
• Emily Griffin
• Erich Hagan
• Adam Stone
• Dan Ames
• Douglas Bishop

Join us next week as we slam for four more rounds to determine the top five slammers for the 2007 Cantab Slam Team!

Thursday, March 29, 2007

An exceptional open mic last night, followed by an exceptional feature from 2006 team member Harlym125. 125 shared the stage with special guests Tony, Brian S. Ellis, Iyeoka Okoawo, and Adam Stone, as well as DJ Enigma spinning behind him. Definitely one of the most fun, varied, and danceworthy shows we've ever had at the Cantab!

The last open qualifying slam was won by Erich Hagan, who eliminated Jonathan Chin in the final round. Special shout-out to Tai Cunningham, the Lizard Lounge hostess with the mostest, who came out to watch and slam with us. Thanks also to DJ Enigma who stayed to spin between poets.

Remember, next week it's a $5 cover charge for THE BIG BIG SLAM. Come out and cheer and heckle your favorites as we elminate fourteen of them! The following poets are qualified to slam in Wednesday's 2007 Team Selection Semis:

Adam Stone, Douglas Bishop, Matt Gallant, Nate Leland, A.C. Abbot, Jonathan Chin, Dan Ames, Artie Moffa, Maxwell R. Kessler, Ayden Frost (Unseen the Poet), Francis Joseph, Liam Coughlin, Eric Darby, Jamei Bauer, Jess Del Balzo, Liz Kramer, Emily Griffin, 1two5, Jme, Brian S. Ellis, Simone Beaubien, Shira Erlichman, Erich Hagan

The slam will be hosted by Ryk McIntyre and Dawn Gabriel. The top nine poets will advance to Team Selection Finals on April 11!

Sunday, March 25, 2007

This past Wednesday, Chicago's Molly Meacham brought us a set of solid poetry, much to the joy of our packed house. The four-person slam was won (decisively!) by Shira Erlichman.

Next week: the Voice himself, Harlym125, in his first feature at the Cantab. Expect surprises and special guests! The night will end with the last open qualifying slam for the Cantab team.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

We kind of knew that Lynne Procope was going to be really, really good... Maybe you just thought Jme was being overdramatic? If so, and if you missed last night; shame on you. Lynne honored us with a full feature of nearly all new work, inspiring us and making us totally jealous all at once. Another full slam was won by Simone Beaubien over Shira Erlichmann in the final round. Special shout-out to New Jersey poets Conor and Chad Anderson, who stopped by to open mic and slam with us.

Next week: Chicago poet Molly Meacham stops by after hitting up NYC. This might be your only chance to see Molly outside of Chicago, so don't miss it.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Last night, two-time National Individual Finalist Iyeoka Okoawo brought us, finally, a full feature of her work, holding the audience totally spellbound. Come back any time, Iyeoka! A totally packed slam was won by Brian S. Ellis. Just three open slams remain to qualify for the team!

Next week: amazing New York poet Lynne Procope. Not to be missed.

Friday, March 2, 2007

Another fine night at the Cantab this past Wednesday: a packed open mic full of strong regulars and rising stars was capped off with a feature from Chicago poet J.W. Baz, IWPS finalist and poet laureate of Apt. 2E. Baz delivered a healthy helping of his trademark "confessional swagger" over the muffled sounds of an unusually enthusiastic upstairs blues jam. The seven-person slam was won by Jme over Brian S. Ellis in the final round. If you think that final sounded like a barnburner, you should have seen the second round, where Jme edged out former MC Emeritus Michael Brown by 0.1. Hot! Hot!!

Next week: we're proud to present 2000 Cantab Slam Team member and all-around local rockstar Iyeoka Okoawo. An open poetry slam will follow the feature.

Saturday, February 24, 2007

It was almost too packed to breathe in the Cantab last Wednesday, you know that? I mean, we were stuffed in there like stuffing in a stuffy place. Seriously, if you're ever cold on a Wednesday night, you know where to be if you want to cuddle with someone. Our feature was Sonya Renee, who was totally awesome, and a scary-tough slam was won by 125 over first-time slammer Spak in the final round.

Come see us next week for Chicago poet and 2007 IWPS finalist J.W. Baz, plus an open slam.

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Ah, another Erotic Poetry Night at the Cantab. Not a mango in the joint, although there was plenty of Mommy, a few stripper jokes, and an ode to biodiesel. The First Annual Nappy Owl Award went to Jay, who, despite lacking any particularly creative bodily nicknames, did pull through with a hilariously disturbing piece about... Never mind. You really had to be there.

After the extended open mic, Sean Conlon brought us an enchantingly bitter set, perfect for those of us at a poetry reading in a bar on Valentine's Day. We missed you, Sean!

Next week: 2004 National Poetry Slam Individual Slam Champion, Def Poet, and umpteen-times NPS and IWPS finalist Sonya Renee will punch little holes in your heart with her high heels, then sew it all back up with a voice like a megaphone made of apple butter. Open slam to follow.

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Two weeks ago, the Boston Intercollegiate Slam Team showed off their hard work, finishing up the night with a hilarious group piece. The slam that night was won by Emily Griffin. Then, just last night, Def Poet and four-time National Poetry Slam finalist Rives gave us half an hour of remarkable storytelling. The Champion of Champions Slam followed, pitting challenger Dan Ames against defending champ Adam Stone. It took Adam eight rounds (and some close calls) to get four wins to Dan's three: wow! Thanks for a great show, guys!

Next week: our annual tradition of Erotic Poetry Night continues; bring your sexiest and/or dirtiest poems to the open mic. Then sit tight for a feature from the much-missed Sean Conlon. How better to spend your Valentine's Day?

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Last week, Brian Ellis featured for a packed house, showing off at the top of his slam game. Brian will represent us at IWPS this week in Vancouver. Good luck, Brian!

The season championship slam was won by Dan Ames over Jonathan Chin. Come back next week when both slammers will feature, along with Jamei Bauer and Jess Del Balzo, comprising Boston's first Intercollegiate Poetry Slam Team. See you there!

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Last night, Regie Gibson sweated, stomped, recited, and read until even the blues jam upstairs had to pause out of respect. The Cantab was packed to the gills and the hundred-odd folks who braved the cold weather found themselves a lot warmer, thanks to Regie. The first full slam of the year followed the feature, wherein Nate Leland rose to the top to beat Casey Rocheteau by .2 in the final round.

Next week: Brian Ellis, World Qualifier winner and the Cantab's representative to the Individual World Poetry Slam releases his new chapbook. This is your last chance to hear Brian before he leaves for IWPS in Vancouver!

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Len Germinara traveled all the way from the little island of Nantucket to bring us a solid page-and-stage feature. The poetry slam was won by first-timer Liz Kramer, who defeated veteran Eric Darby in the final round!

Next week: Regie Gibson, with an open slam. Come early if you want a seat (or want to get in at all). 'Nuff said.

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Last week, Mike McGee and Robbie Q rocked the mic with whale sounds, jump rope rhymes, and a poetic pantload of other hilarious stuff. Come back any time, guys! The slam was won by Jess Del Balzo, who ticked her first win over Joey Santosussio in his first Cantab slam.

Next Wednesday, come see Nantucket SlamMaster Len Germinara in his triumphant (but brief) return to the mainland.

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