We had an excellent open mic last, showing off a number of regulars and more than a few surprises! A good-sized crowd of folks avoiding the snow ducked in and stayed late to see Josh Bennett's feature. Josh is the consummate slammer: great command of the written word, an ever-engaging range of topics, and that glimmer of absolute sincerety in his eyes. Great fun was had by all.

A Note from the SlamMaster on Last Night's Slam
The new three-person format last night was a moderate success; although more reflective of our 8x8 head-to-head format, there are still clearly some kinks to be worked out. At the end of two rounds (that's six pairings), Michael Monroe was eliminated, leaving Steve Subrizi and David Wayne deadlocked in a 3-3 tie, leading to an exciting head-to-head final round.

At the finish of the slam, Steve was announced as the winner, with his final score trumping David's after a time penalty. However, after the show had ended (and after much of the crowd and one of the slammers had departed), a judging team approached me to tell me that I had either missed or misread their final score for David, which was a full 0.8 higher than announced. After further review, I can see that even if those judges were mistaken as to which score was in error, or even if their scores were removed from the round entirely, David still takes the win over Steve.

I owe an apology to David, Steve, the judges, and, of course, the slam crowd. Although slam is generally understood to be only a game, one without artistic merit or value at stake, we do, as audience and poets, invest some emotion in the outcome. If the rules (and the math) mean nothing, then the game is no longer worth watching. I offer my congratulations to David Wayne, last night's semi-final champ, and invite him to return on December 23 to slam against next week's winner.

Next week: NYC-via-Chicago slammer-gone-prolific-academic Tara Betts will bring us her new book, Arc & Hue. We'll finish up with the second of the two semi-final slams, with Sean, Charley, April, and Carrie qualified to compete.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The man, the myth, the legend: Harlym125 was last night's feature, and if you missed it, you surely heard the fun happening from wherever you were. That is a man who knows how to make a room have a good time, whether it's inspiring a hip-hop singalong, painting a powerful portrait of an American legend, or joyfully horrifying the crowd with his erotic stylings. He brought down the house and pumped up the room for an excellent last slam in the series: Carrie Rudzinski came out guns blazin' and never wavered, taking top honors in the final round against Colton.

Our next big show will the be NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam, which begins this Friday night in Manchester, New Hampshire! Our Cantab show next week will be UPenn slam sensation Joshua Bennett, plus a semi-final slam with Steve, David, Georgie, and Michael.

Friday, November 26, 2009

It looked like it was going to be a quiet night in the Cantab this Wednesday: on a cold, rainy night before Thanksgiving, an intimate crowd trickled in to enjoy an open mic with extended time for all. Once that wrapped up, however, our cozy, low-key evening was broken up by a wildly fun slam. Eleven poets, plus a number of guest stars, teamed up and threw down against one another in the Cantab's first ever group piece slam! The evening was a swinging success, with the team of Kevin Spak and Melissa Newman-Evans taking the top score of the night and the $100 prize. April Ranger squeaked out the individual win over her own teammate Adam Stone. Thanks to everyone who slammed, judged, listened in, and helped make this a great show!

Next week: Harlym125 is a man who knows how to put together a party. Don't expect his feature to be any different; last time we had guest stars, group poems, and a dance break, and there's rumor of all kinds of fun this year, too! We'll wrap the night up with the last open slam in this 8x8 series, then get ready to head to the NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam this Friday in Manchester.

Thursday, November 18, 2009

Our open mic-ers turned out in full force last night, lining up around the room just for the chance to read in front of Rachel McKibbens. Top that off with a special visit from Denver's Ken Arkind, plus a few other secret celebrities lurking in the room, and you can imagine how primed we were for Rachel's feature. She was everything promised, and more; don't forget that her first book, Pink Elephant, is available online from Cypher Books. Our open slam, like most of them this year, was full-up and packed with good work: in the final round, April Ranger took down Artie Moffa for the win.

Next week: it's the Cantab's first ever Group Piece Slam! There's a $100 prize and a Cantab team qualifiers spot riding on this show. So far, we've got twelve competitors who've teamed up to bring us multi-voice work. There's still a little room left in this slam, but you've gotta sign up in advance, so drop a line to cantab@slamnews.com if you've got two group poems to share.

Thursday, November 11, 2009

2009 may be winding to a close, but our crowd shows no signs of slowing down: we had an especially solid open mic last night, including spotlight feature David Morgan, who stopped in from London to say hello. Our feature, WriteBloody author Rob Sturma, was everything we'd hoped for: cigarette-scratchy and suprisingly tender, he softened us up with love poems before going for the big WWF finale. Our slam was another dogfight: the biggest heartbreak of the night was losing first-timer Kemi Alabi to a huge time penalty! Not one to waste a hard-fought victory, Charley Pope advanced over Kemi and went on to win the slam over first-time finalist Colton.

Next week: Rachel McKibbens from NYC. Arrive early if you want a seat: as usual, open mic sign-up starts promptly at 7:45.

Also, don't forget our Group Piece Slam on November 25! Signups are still open, so drop a line to cantab@slamnews.com if you've got two group pieces and want to get in on the fun.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

It was a sad night at the Cantab last night, as our farewell show for our feature was also tinged with the poignancy of losing one of our own forever. Brother Blue, Boston's wise and wonderful storyteller, passed away on Tuesday; he will be missed deeply by this community, and by the many, many people who were touched by his words and spirit. For more information on this week's memorial service, see his guestbook, and keep an eye on brotherblue.com for future events.

Our feature, Prabakar Thyagarajan, was everything we'd hoped for and more. His intense listening presence has inspired the Cantab's performers year after year, even as his carefully polished work caused beginners and old-timers alike to despair of reaching his deftness with vocabulary and image. In a totally unsuprising gesture of generosity, his beautiful book, A Slice of Water, was made available for free to all listeners. Prabakar will remain in the country for a few months yet, so don't hesitate to ask him if you missed your chance to get a copy.

And as if that weren't enough of a show for you... The night's poetry slam was an all-star line-up of NPS and CUPSI performers, working girls, regulars, and local slam management. There was hardly room to breathe in this competition, but when the dust cleared, it was Sean Conlon, visiting from NYC, defeating Hampshire SM Charley Pope in the final round.

Next week: California slammer and WriteBloody author Rob "Ratpack Slim" Sturma, and another open slam in the 8x8 series.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

It was a dark and stormy night... But that didn't stop our small but intense crowd from braving the rain to hear Gold Fails, the emotive combination of local James Caroline and NYC poet Caits Meissner. These two literary powerhouses moved and delighted us, warming the Cantab inside and out. The slam was won by Michael Monroe, on a roll after the last four weeks, eliminating once-regular slammer Nate Leland in the final round.

Next week: a farewell feature for longtime regular Prabakar Thyagarajan, who will disappear to India soon --but not before he brings us a full show and a new book. An open poetry slam will follow the feature.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Oh, Jack McCarthy, how we've missed you... The Cantab crowd kept Jack, our feature, on the stage for over an hour last night, inundating him with requests and applause, not to mention two standing ovations! Jack will be touring in the New England area for the next few weeks: keep your eyes open and your calendar free, as he's likely to swing by your neck of the woods.

Next week: the return of rockstar co-host James Caroline and his fabulous NYC cohort, Caits Meissner. Expect heartbreak, joy, and a whole lotta troublemakin'. We'l finish off the night with another open poetry slam.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

It might have been the first cold Wednesday of the year, but we had plenty of folks in the bar to keep us warm! The house was packed to see hometown favorite, NPS individual and team finalist Omoizele Okoawo in his first-ever Cantab feature. The slam was stuffed to the gills with competitive poets, but the final round was a Hampshire-college grudge match: in the final tie-breaker, Georgie D took the ten-dollar prize over Sam Teitel.

Next week: open mic, but no open slam! We'll take the whole night to enjoy an extended feature from local-gone-west favorite Jack McCarthy.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The students are back (or finding us for the first time) and it shows: every seat in the Cantab was packed last night for Connor Dooley and Ian Khadan's feature! The two brought us a great selection of heartbreak and humor, including more than a few group pieces. The slam was won by Brandeis' own David Wayne, who edged out Hampshire's Emily O'Neill in the final round.

Next week: hometown hero Omoizele Okoawo returns from IWPS to feature, plus an open slam. You can follow Oz's progress --as well as that of our venue representative, April Ranger-- at the IWPS tournament by checking out the official website.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Last night, April Ranger showed us exactly why she'll be representing the Cantab at this year's Individual World Poetry Slam; April brought us an incredible hour of both deliciously new and more well-polished work. Thanks to the packed house, we'll be able to fund her trip to Berkeley entirely! Wish her luck at the tournament next week: you can follow scores and updates at the official website.

Next week: New Jersey duo Ian Khadan and Connor Dooley, followed by another open poetry slam.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

A certain two-time National Poetry Slam Champion rocked the stage at the 'tab last night: Charlotte's own Bluz, in a special one-night-only New England visit, brought us a solid set, showing off his range as both writer and performer. The subsequent open slam was won by Steve Subrizi, who narrowly defeated his one-time Emerson slam teammate Carlos Williams for the win.

Next week: we send off April Ranger to the Individual World Poetry Slam in Berkeley, California! April will do a special extended feature, so there's no poetry slam: $5 cover charge to help fundraise for April's trip.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

It was the biggest slam of the season last night, featuring challenger April Ranger, 2008 Cantab Slam Team member and 2009 IWPS Representative, taking on Champion of Champions Maxwell R. Kessler, 2009 Cantab Slam Team member and graduated Emerson College SlamMaster. What! Max took the slam in seven rounds, but it wasn't an easy road for either competitor; the two traded wins all the way to the last round, turning out brand-new work and fresh performances of their own classics. Certainly one of the best slams all year, and one that can make you proud to be part of our writers' and performers' community.

Next week: back-to-back National Slam Champ Bluz comes to us in a rare visit from Charlotte. Afterwards, we'll start the 8x8 series up again with an open slam.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

What a lovely feature last night from Jade Sylvan: her playful, self-aware work was a great centerpiece to a night that began by welcoming a lot of new readers and listeners to our open mic. The season final slam was won by April Ranger --despite Kevin Spak swinging for (and hitting out over!) the fences in the first round.

Next weeK: the Champion of Champions Slam! Season champion April Ranger advances to challenge reigning venue champ Maxwell R. Kessler. It'll be a best-of-seven slam with rounds of all different time limits: expect great variety and heady competition between these two experienced slammers. With $100 and the venue's top title at stake, they're bound to put on a fantastic show.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Last night, our intense crowd enjoyed a thoughtful and entertaining feature by San Jose's David Perez. The semi-final slam was won by Kevin Spak over Megan Thoma.

Next week: Jade Sylvan's combination book release/birthday party, followed by the season final slam with Kevin vs. April Ranger.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

It was one hot night at the Cantab to close out our summer season: after an open mic packed with new readers and returning reguars alike, four-time Cantab Slam Team member Brian S. Ellis brought us a feature of nearly all new work, kicking off his fall tour with a great show to our packed house. After the feature, we closed out the night with a high-quality semi-final slam. April Ranger took four rounds to eliminate Sam Teitel in the first round, while Sean Conlon put away Andy Locke in two: April then defeated Sean by one tenth of a point in the final round!

Next week: Bay area slammer and MFA candidate David Perez features, followed by another semi-final slam with Charley, Spak, Vinh, and Megan. The slam winner will face off against April in the September 9 season final slam.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

An easygoing night at the Cantab last night: after a short open, we enjoyed a solid feature from JeFF Stumpo, who started by showing off his writing chops and ramped up from an understated reading to his trademark theatrical presentation. The last speed slam of the year was packed full of great work, and ended up with Providence poet Megan Thoma defeating bartender Adam Stone in the final one-minute round.

Next week: perennial team member Brian S. Ellis in a send-off feature before his tour, followed by the first semi-final speed slam with April, Sam, Andy, and Sean.

Friday, August 14, 2009

And... We're back! Thanks to everyone for welcoming the team back from West Palm Beach. We were sad to miss Victor Infante's feature two weeks ago, especially after all the positive feedback going around, but we made it just in time to catch Cassandra Tribe at the venue this past Wednesday. While we were out, Kevin Spak took top honors in the speed slam; he was joined by Vinh Hua this week. Both guys qualify for the 2010 team selection semi-finals, and are also invited to return for the second semi-final of the 8x8 in a few weeks on September 9.

Next week: we'll welcome the soft-spoken, innovative JeFF Stumpo as he visits us from his new digs in the Granite State. It'll also mark the last of our 8x8 speed slams; regular 3-minute 8x8s will restart again on September 23.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Hello, friends of the slam:

Just wanted to send out a last-minute thanks to all of you who supported us this slam season. Tomorrow morning, the 2009 Cantab Slam Team will board a flight to the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the madness will begin.

On behalf of the team --that's Maxwell R. Kessler, Omoizele Okoawo, Sean Conlon, Carlos Williams, and Brian S. Ellis-- I want to pass on utmost gratitude to any of you who came out to a show, listened, read, judged, bought a chapbook or CD, ordered a t-shirt, or simply offered your compliments or criticism on the work the team has been doing. We have no slam without an audience, and everyone on the team knows they're not just representing themselves at the National Poetry Slam, but our venue and audience, too.

As SlamMaster and coach for the team (and outrageously busy person this year, even more than usual), I also want to offer my personal thanks for all the support the team has received --financial, moral, literary, and otherwise. It amazes me anew when our community comes through each year, and I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the Cantab scene.

If you want to keep track of the team's progress at Nationals, I'll be blogging on the MySpace page starting on Wednesday. For more up-to-date scoring and gossip info, you'll want to check the offical site (and perhaps subscribe to the Twitter feed there):

www.nps2009.com

Our first bout starts at 7:00 on Tuesday, August 4, and it's a heavy-hitting, well-publicized bout: we don't get any easy ones this year, and we wouldn't ask for 'em! Still, if you've got good vibes to spare, please send 'em along. I can guarantee we'll be thinking of the Cantab while we're away; we'll be missing Victor Infante's feature on August 5, although you won't have to.

Our thanks again. See you on August 12.

Simone Beaubien, SlamMaster
the Boston Poetry Slam @ the Cantab Lounge

Thursday, July 30, 2009

What an incredible night at the Cantab, folks: after a stunningly good open mic, the 2009 Cantab Slam Team took the stage for their extended feature. The guys were great: engaging, entertaining, and heartbreaking, just what we've come to expect at the Cantab. The same time next week, they'll be bouting at the National Poetry Slam: watch the MySpace page for details on how your team is faring at the biggest slam competition in the world.

Next week: Worcester Write Bloody poet Victor Infante, plus an open speed slam.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

It was an especially great night on the open last night, as more than a hundred folks put down their three bucks to see and be heard by Ryler Dustin. Ryler brought us a touching, powerful set in a great example of the powerful poetic sound Cantab-goers have come to admire. The speed slam was won by Charley Pope, definitively defeating Sofia Holtz after her significant time penalty.

We'll be back next week for the 2009 Cantab Slam Team Send-Off! It'll be Maxwell Kessler, Omoizele Okoawo, Sean Conlon, Carlos Williams, and Brian S. Ellis in their final Cantab appearance before the National Poetry Slam. Hear the guys in a special one-hour set and maybe take home a CD or chapbook, too. Special $5 cover for this show as a last-ditch fundraising effort for the team.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Last week, Airea Dee Matthews floored our crowd with her remarkable presence. In honor of her Dee's work, the speed slam was packed with persona poems: Sean Conlon took the top spot and qualifies for the last spot in the August speed-slam semis.

Tonight: Ryler Dustin of Bellingham, WA, followed by another speed slam. If you enjoy the Cantab open mic, you'll love Ryler. Come see and hear.

Friday, July 10, 2009

It's the summer of slam at the Cantab! Thanks so much to the teams from Manchester, Worcester, and sister slam the Lizard Lounge who came out two weeks ago to compete in our regional. The home team took top honors, with Cambridge locals from the Lizard in the runner-up spot, but the real winners were the audience members and the venue: thanks so much to the huge crowd for coming out to support poetry at the Cantab Lounge!

Then, just a few nights ago, folks poured in to see the much-touted Chicken Slam, where SlamMaster Simone Beaubien took on the 2009 Cantab Slam Team in a head-to-five-heads match! Dawn Gabriel was the ringmaster for this circus of poetry and DJ Muse spun a special set to make sure that the slam was as fair as possible, of course. At the end of the night, Simone took the high score --and birthday boy Christopher Kain took home a bubble-gum vodka buzz. We'll have to do this again sometime.

Next week: Detroit slammer Airea Dee Matthews, 2008 WOWPS Finalist and utterly otherworldly performer, in a regular ol' Cantab feature. Open speed slam to follow with 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Last night? It was a night to remember at the Cantab Lounge, and those who were there will be talking for months about Patrick S.'s risky (and risque) feature. If you missed it... Well, you'll just have to wait until something else spectacular and scandalous happens. The night's speed slam was won by Hampshire slammer Andy Locke over Providence's Megan Thoma, and it was an awesome show all around. Our next open slam (completing four in the 8x8 series) will be on July 15.

Next week: It's our second Regional Team Slam! Teams from Worcester, Manchester, NH, and cross-town rival venue the Lizard Lounge will invade the Cantab to take on the home team. Don't miss it!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Our first-ever youth slam was a raging success. Three Massachusetts teams made the trek down to the Cantab basement to perform for some of the toughest judges in the country: at the end of the night, the veteran team from Worcester took top honors, followed by the home team from Boston and the first-years from Lowell. Congratulations to all, and good luck at Brave New Voices this July!

This week's four-man speed slam was won by Sam Teitel. We've got six more in the series, including next week's, when we'll also have a feature from much-loved regular Patrick S. See you there!

Monday, June 15, 2009

NEWS FLASH: due to an unfortunate scheduling conflict, Laura Yes Yes will not be able to feature for us this Wednesday. So, instead... We'll have the Cantab's first ever Youth Slam Invitational, wherein the Boston Youth Slam Team and the Lowell Youth Slam Team will face off! Come on out and support the future of the NorthBEAST slam! (And, yes, we'll still have an open speed slam to close out the night.)

Thursday, June 11, 2009

It must be June! We had an easy-going night at the Cantab, with an open mic filled with regulars and a few new faces for suumer... Plus a memorable feature from the powerful Jeanann Verlee from NYC-Urbana. Our first summer speed slam was a great success, with Sean Conlon and April Ranger topping the list of seven slammers. April took the win and the big ten bucks, cementing her spot in next year's individual qualifiers!

Next week: we'll be back with Berkeley poet Laura Yes Yes and another speed slam.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Last night Boston got its first taste of the 2009 team slam season! Our 4x4 Nationals-style slam ended up with the team from Providence taking top honors, with the home team, Hampshire County, and Portland, Maine following behind. It was a fabulous match and a great way to kick off the summer: thanks so much to all who traveled so far to slam for the crowd at the Cantab.

Next week: the illustrious and excellent Jeanann Verlee. Plus, the first of our summer speed slams --bring a 3-minute, a 2-minute, and a 1-minute poem for this summertime 8x8 open poetry slam!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

There was more poetry than you can shake a stick at last night at the show: our open mic was highlighted by a featurette from Sarah Morgan, then the double-feature bill of Ryk McIntyre and Carlos Andreas Gomez had us chuckling and gasping by turns. The night finished up with the much-touted Champion of Champions match: in a major upset, 2009 Cantab Slam Team rookie Maxwell R. Kessler defeated reigning champ (and bartender) Adam Stone in six rounds to take the title!

Next week: gear up for the National Poetry Slam with the team at our first 4x4 of the season. Teams from Portland, Providence, and Hampshire County will come to enemy territory to slam against the Cantab team. Come get a little taste of what Nationals will be like this year!

Friday, May 22, 2009

It was a fine packed night at the Cantab this week: even though our feature wasn't able to make it (and don't worry, we'll book Mahogany Browne for the fall), we still had an incredible open mic as the centerpiece of our show. Our last-minute slam enjoyed great crowd, who all stuck around to see the Brandeis-v-Brandeis matchup in the finals, wherein Kass took down her own coach, Jason Henry.

Next week: super-double-feature Ryk McIntyre and Carlos Andreas Gomez, followed by Maxwell R. Kessler challenging Adam Stone in the Champion of Champions slam!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thanks to everyone who came out to see Kevin Spak last night; we had an incredibly solid open mic, topped by Spak's poignant and pleasurable feature. The semi-final slam was won by Maxwell Kessler, who advances to the Champion of Champions slam against current champ Adam Stone!

Next week: the great and powerful Nuyorican SlamMaster Mahogany Browne.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A fabulous --and packed!-- night at the Cantab last night, thanks in no small part to our double feature: the remarkable Jeff Robinson Trio backed our open mic with their incredible improv jazz, and then the intense and incomparable Matthew Klane turned our heads back inside-in with his own smooth sound. Consider the savage slam beasts of National Poetry Month soothed... But only for a moment: we closed out the night with a head-to-head semi-final slam, wherein April Ranger bested Erich Hagan in a five-round match.

Next week: the hilarious and endearing Kevin Spak features, followed by the second semi-final slam in the 8x8 with Max, Casey, Dee, and Steve.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Thank you, thank you, thank you, to all of last night's audience, judges, and staff who helped us select the 2009 Cantab Slam Team! Final rankings of the slam were as follows:

• Maxwell R. Kessler
• Omoizele Okoawo
• Sean Patrick Conlon
• Carlos Williams
• Brian S. Ellis
• Dee Taylor
• Steve Subrizi
• Adam Stone
• Casey Rocheteau

The top five slammers will represent the Cantab at the 2009 National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fundraising for our team starts now: to book the team to perform at your venue or event, you can email cantab@slamnews.com.

Next week: a fabulous double-feature with the Jeff Robinson Trio backing our open mic, then FlimFlam Press editor Matthew Klane. We'll wrap up the night with a semi-final slam with Oz, Erich, April, and Mike.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Last night's feature, Caroline Harvey, was all that was promised and more: she captivated our audience with her powerful presence and words. This 2005 Cantab Slam Team member also made a great prelude to next week's show...

The Cantab Team Selection Finals! Nine poets (that'll be Carlos Williams, Adam Stone, Brian S. Ellis, Sean Conlon, Casey Rocheteau, Omoizele Okoawo, Maxwell Kessler, Steve Subrizi, and Dee Taylor) will slam in four rounds for the five-slot slam team! Remember: it's a $5 cover on April 29 to help raise the money to send our team to the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach this August.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Last night, our long-lost SlamMaster came home to show us how it's done; Michael Brown brought us some of his newest work, then showed off his years of slam with a retrospective of his repertoire. If you've ever wondered what started the Cantab sounding like the Cantab... All your questions were answered tonight.

Next week: San-Jose-turned-Boston poet Caroline Harvey comes out of hiding to bring us a feature. (No open slam: instead, stay a little late and drink with the hosts.)

Sunday, April 12, 2009

And so it was, after two rounds of NINETEEN POETS (never in the history of the Cantab, people), we narrowed the field of competitors for the 2009 Cantab Team to the top nine:

• Carlos Williams
• April Ranger
• Adam Stone
• Brian S. Ellis
• Sean Conlon
• Casey Rocheteau
• Omoizele Okoawo
• Maxwell Kessler
• Steve Subrizi

These slammers will advance to the April 29 Finals. Also slamming in the hard-fought competition: Dee Taylor, Kevin Devaney, Erich Hagan, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Jason Henry, Jesse Welch, Sam Teitel, Mike McGee, Kevin Spak, and Artie Moffa. Thanks to everyone who read, slammed, judged, and worked hard to put together a great show packed with incredible poetry.

This week: we take a break from slamming as we welcome Boston's original SlamMaster himself. After years away in Maine, Michael Brown returns to our stage for a much-deserved feature.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Holy gosh wow! Slam's legendary Shappy, the original sensitive poetry boy himself, had us rolling in the aisles last night with his hilarious persona pieces. Afterwards, the jam-packed Last Chance Slam was won by crowd favorite Spak over the late-arriving but hard-working Febo. Spak advances to next week's show, which will be...

The CANTAB SEMI-FINAL TEAM SELECTION SLAM! Nearly twenty poets are qualified for the Cantab's biggest slam of the year: Jason Henry, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Adam Stone, Maxwell Kessler, Sam Teitel, Kevin Devaney, Sean Conlon, Artie Moffa, Jesse Welch, Omoizele Okoawo, Erich Hagan, April Ranger, Casey Rocheteau, Dee Taylor, Steve Subrizi, and Kevin Spak will slam off in two competitive rounds to determine who will advance to the April 29 Finals! Five-dollar cover! An incredible show practically guaranteed! Zowie!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

The Cantab turned out in full force last night for CUPSI 2009's Best Male Poet, Carlos Williams, who brought us a spectacularly performed feature of his truly excellent work. An extremely competitive open slam was won by Steve Subrizi, who took the win over Andy Locke in the final round.

Next week: the Bowery Poetry Club's own Shappy Seasholtz comes to share his intense nerdiness! Plus, the Last Chance Slam to qualify for the April 8 semi-finals.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Did you know that national and world slam champion Mike McGee is from Worcester? --Well, for 2009, he is, anyway: we welcomed this new NorthBEAST resident to the neighborhood and the stage, celebrating his comedic storytelling talents. A hotly contested open slam was won by Dee, who qualifies for our April 8 semi-final.

Next week: CUPSI Best Male Poet Carlos Williams brings us a full feature of his work, plus an open slam.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Last night, James Lindsay brought us a whole feature of his particular brand of deadpan metaphor and dark comedy, plus two beautiful books. The slam was won by surpise guest Casey Rocheteau. Just three slams left to qualify for team tryouts!

Next week: one-year Worcester resident Mike McGee, plus another open slam.

Friday, March 6, 2009

What an incredible night! Thanks so much to all the teams who participated in our first ever NorthBEAST CUPSI Send-Off. The rookies from Brandeis University took top honors for the night, edging out Emerson College, Hampshire College, and Berklee College of Music. The real winners were the audience in the packed house, though: here's hoping we can make this an annual event.

Good luck to everyone at CUPSI next week! While the college kids are away, we'll be featuring the deadpan-wonderful James Lindsay, plus an open slam to qualify for the April 8 team semi-finals.

Friday, February 27, 2009

After one of the nerdiest open mics at the Cantab in a long while (tech poems! text poems! and multiple pirate references!), Brooklyn's own Akua Doku brought us a short but intense feature. The open slam was nearly as heady, as Maxwell Kessler overcame a second-round tie with Spak to defeat Kat Mott in the final round.

Next week: the Cantab's first ever CUPSI Warm-Up: we'll celebrate our local College Nationals-bound teams by pitting them against one another in a 4x4 team slam. Come see poets from Emerson College, Hampshire College, Brandeis University, and the Berklee College of Music duke it out for pre-Nats bragging rights.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Last night, we held one of our most intense slams of the year: ten poets, four rounds, and only one winner! After much deliberation and poetry (with special thanks to our judges: Ben, Anna, Tom, Tori, and Becca), we have selected our 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam representative: 2008 NorthBEAST Champion April Ranger! Final round standings:

• April Ranger 29.6
• Brian S. Ellis 29.0
• Artie Moffa 28.3
• Adam Stone 28.3
• Omoizele Okoawo 27.0

Congratulations to all ten of our competitors for putting on an incredible poetry show. Watch for many of them to return for our team semi-finals on April 8!

Next week: dynamic New York/Arizona performance poet Akua Doku, plus a qualifying open slam for the April 8 semi-finals.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Another year, another rambunctious Erotic Poetry Night at the Cantab Lounge: our readers packed an incredible amount of sex into three short hours of open mic. Seriously, who needs the internet? Wrapping up the night was Sean Conlon, who kicked off his tour and debuted his new Pornography Diaries book and CD with a moving feature of his polished work.

Next week: it's the World Qualifier Finals, a $5 cover night! Brian S. Ellis, April Ranger, Adam Stone, Steve Subrizi, Omoizele Okoawo, Kevin Devaney, Artie Moffa, Trevor Byrne-Smith, James Lindsay, and Maxwell Kessler slam off for the chance to represent the Cantab at the 2009 IWPS. Last poet standing wins the trip to compete in Berkeley, California this October!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Hot gawddamn! Khary Jackson's feature this week certainly showed his recent top-three finish at the Individual World Poetry Slam was no fluke... In fact, it might have been a little lower than he deserved. Khary brought a very tight set of intense work to his feature slot, packing our ears with poetry and showing a remarkable range of subject and performance. This guy is the real deal, folks. After the feature, a full slam finished out with Mike McGee taking top honors over AJ Krebs.

Next week: thinking of taking your first-date sweetheart out for a night of tender Valentine's poetry? Well, don't do it here: as always, the Wednesday before the 14th of February will be our annual Erotic Poetry Night, a themed open with erotic, sexy, and just plain raunchy poems and poets. After the extended open mic (that's right, we said "extended"), enchantingly bitter Cantab co-host Sean Conlon will kick off his coast-to-coast poetry tour with a featured reprise of his Pornography Diaries show.

Friday, January 30, 2009

What a night we had this past Wednesday! As always, our IWPS Semi-Final Speed Slam showed off some of our favorite poets doing some highly unusual slam work; the one- and two-minute rounds always flush out some fascinating, original poems, and this slam was no exception. When the dust clared, slammers Erich Hagan, Jason Henry, and Jesse Welch had been eliminated, leaving Brian S. Ellis, April Ranger, Adam Stone, Steve Subrizi, Omoizele Okoawo, Kevin Devaney, Artie Moffa, Trevor Byrne-Smith, James Lindsay, and Maxwell Kessler to advance to finals on February 18. Yowza!

Next week: #3 ranked poet in the world Khary Jackson (a.k.a. 6 is 9) will travel to us from St. Paul.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Last night, the Cantab welcomed back Scott Woods, Columbus Writers' Block player-coach and nerd extraordinaire, for a fine half hour of his biting wit and pointed intelligence. The packed slam came down to an all-women semi-final and finished out with April Ranger over Danielle Goncalves, giving April the last qualifier spot for next week's IWPS slam.

Next week: a $5 cover charge for the annual IWPS Semi-Final Speeed Slam. Come see the fastest slam in town, with two- and one-minute rounds with Adam Stone, Cassandra de Alba, Brian S. Ellis, Anais Tai, James Lindsay, McKendy, Jason Simon-Bierenbaum, Steve Subrizi, Artie Moffa, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Maxwell Kessler, Sam Teitel, Kevin Devaney, Sean Conlon, Carlos Williams, Jesse Welch, Omoizele Okoawo, Erich Hagan, and April Ranger. Top ten poets advance to the February 11 Finals to select our 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam representative!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

This past Wednesday, the Cantab welcomed Twain Dooley from D.C. for an awesome show; Twain dazzled the audience with his dirty puns, dance moves, and laugh-out-loud fun. The Champion of Champions slam went a remarkable eight rounds --some of them truly unconventional indeed-- with defending champion Adam Stone just edging out challenger Sean Conlon.

Next week: the prolific and pointed Scott Woods, President of Like Everything, returns with lots of new work. Also, the last open 8x8 slam to qualify for our IWPS speed slam!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Could you think of a better way to start of 2009 at the Cantab than to have Shira Erlichman, 2007 Cantab Team slammer, Spilljoy Ensemble member, and incredibly original poet and musician read for us? ...If you can, then you must not have been there for Shira's heartfelt set of work both new and old. How nice to welcome her back to the venue! After Shira's feature, top honors in the night's poetry slam went to Erich Hagan.

Next week: D.C. funk poet Twain Dooley, plus Adam Stone vs. Sean Conlon in the Champion of Champions poetry slam!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Happy New Year, Cantabbers! In case you missed it, we rang in 2009 at Boston's First Night at the Hynes Convention Center, slamming with Artie Moffa, Patrick S., April Ranger, Brian S. Ellis, Adam Stone, Erin Jackson, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Ken Arkind, Danny Sherrard, Erich Hagan, Sean Conlon, and Christian Drake. A hearty welcome to all the folks who found us this year through the First Night slams!

Now, if you thought the First Night slams were all-star, wait until you see our January line-up. It all kicks off this Wednesday with Spilljoy Collective member Shira Erlichman, a national slam favorite with one of the most refreshing voices in the genre. Come early for the open mic, and stay late for the open 8x8 slam!

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