EROTIC Poetry Slam!
–I still can’t believe we’ve been doing this for eight years!
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BERZERKELEY SLAM — Every Wednesday.
Chaz checks in:
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—THIS WEEK: Our biggest event: the 8th Annual
**EROTIC POETRY SLAM!**
Featuring Vancouver’s CR Avery and the very naughty
toy giveaway! $10 Door. This event sells out every
year. Arrive early, order a pizza, save a seat!
–Folks, I’ll be honest with you. There are three
big reasons why this year’s show should be more
enjoyable. #1: CR Avery. He’s that good. #2: Our
regulars. We’ve got a fantastic set of new poets
on the scene this year, including several who moved
here from other slams. #3: I didn’t promote as much
this year, due to other obligations. Bad for my
budget, GREAT for you, as this show has been un-
comfortably packed in past years. This year, you
should actually be able to get inside and order a
drink!
–Our feature, CR, has a loyal following here in
the Bay. He’s been on several Vancouver slam teams,
toured the continent, wrote a “Hiphop Opera”,
brought audiences to tears. CR has got that Canuk
Aw-shucks shy boy demeanor; a stealth heartbreaker.
He’s got that intensely romantic style “like Dylan-
meets-Beck”. He’s got that soulful WAY with his
harmonica! This time, he has a real keyboard and a
sweet acoustic guitar for him, so he can stretch
out those music muscles to match his poetic powers
for a full solo set.
—LAST WEEK: We had judges who knew what they
liked …and crushed what displeased them! Jason
Bayani set the bar with “A Love Sung In Ink” and a
28.2. Rasikh dropped some conscious Hiphop for a
27.4. Christian gave a heart-stopping performance
that the judges slept on. Big Nate rocked “You
Ain’t No Poet” for another 28.2, while Vikki and
Mark tied for 5th in two VERY different styles.
Top score went to newcomer George Watsky, who
delivered “Easy Answers” in tightly crafted poem of
the Youth Speaks style.
—Jamie “De Wolf” sorbet with an anthem for
recovering junkies, and our features from Boston
responded with a gritty, taut set of poems about
sensuality, love, angels, and survival. Caroline
and J*me swim in deep waters, indeed.
—Round 2 opened with a fresh “Old School” poem by
Stephen Meads, earning the only “10″ of the night!
Rasikh suffered a time penalty and took 4th. Big
Nate’s “Emergency Room” earned him a solid 3rd.
Jason debuted a new poem and 2nd by a huge 3-point
margin. But George did not falter, took the high
score again and the big money in his first Berkeley
Slam!
—UPCOMING: Feb 15: Ntnl Indi Champion, Anis
Mojgani. Feb 22: Modesto’s Sam Pierstorff, and
Cleveland’s Buddy Ray McNiece. Mar 1: Rives “The
Storyteller”.
—TOP 16 POETS: Stephen M=16; Sara L=11; Xian D=7;
Andrew L=7; Jason B=6; Mark=5; Jaylee A=4; Big
Nate=4; Dahled=4; Dawn=4; P.L.Davis=4; Elliot H=4;
L.A.Kenyatta=4; George W=4; Alex C=3; Hillary H=3;
Kim J=3;
——STARRY PLOUGH. 3101 Shattuck. 510-841-2082.
(1 block uphill of Ashby BART). EVERY WEDS.
8:30-11pm. Sign-ups: 7:30. All ages before 9pm.
$90 Cash Prizes. $7 door, $5 students w/I.D.
Hosts: Charles Ellik, Betsy Roll & Friends.
Live Music: 3 Blind Mice, & DJ Agana.
http://www.berkeleypoetryslam.com
Media Sponsor: http://www.eastbayexpress.com
Yoga Sponsor: http://www.yogamandalastudio.com
Contact: voluptuary@hotmail.com