SCHEDULE CHANGE: Cantab Feature for Wednesday, April 4, 2018: Jalem Towler

Due to personal circumstances, tonight’s originally scheduled feature, Hazem Fahmy, will not be able to attend. The Boston Poetry Slam hopes to re-book Hazem for a future date. In the meantime, we present the following local powerhouse in his first full-length feature:

Local poet and performer Jalem Towler. Photo by Zoe Towler.

Local poet and performer Jalem Towler. Photo by Zoe Towler.

Jalem Towler hails from Conyers, Ga., a small town less than thirty minutes outside of Atlanta. He is a fiction writer, poet, loyal friend, academic, two-time CUPSI competitor, and a regular slammer at the Haley House. His writings explore God, Jesus, his black male identity, family, and childhood among other current events. Most of his writings are greatly influenced by what he has experienced in America, in his family, and in his relationships. Jalem believes in bringing nuance and exploring the intricacies of his identity, especially if it means asking questions and being vulnerable. Next year, he will be enrolled in a Master’s program at Harvard where he hopes to study the intersections of black and Japanese culture while still holding on to his other pastimes of Kingdom Hearts and anime.

Note that tonight’s open poetry slam is a speed slam with 3-, 2-, and 1-minute rounds. Slam winners qualify for the 2018 World Qualifier.

This show in our weekly Wednesday series takes place at the Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. Doors for the show open at 7:15. The open mic begins at 8:00 and the feature performs at approximately 10:00. An open speed slam in the 8×8 series will follow. The show is 18+ (ID required) and the cover charge is $3.


Biography of the cancelled feature:

Hazem Fahmy, poet and critic from Cairo. Photo by David Nguyen.

Hazem Fahmy, poet and critic from Cairo. Photo by David Nguyen.

Hazem Fahmy is a poet and critic from Cairo. He is an Honors graduate of Wesleyan University’s College of Letters where he studied literature, philosophy, history and film. His debut chapbook, “Red//Jild//Prayer” won the 2017 Diode Editions Contest and is forthcoming in 2018. His poetry has appeared, or is forthcoming in Apogee, HEArt, Mizna, and The Offing. His performances have been featured on Button Poetry and Write About Now. He is a reader for the Shade Journal, a poetry editor for Voicemail Poems, and a contributing writer to Film Inquiry. In his spare time, Hazem writes about the Middle East and tries to come up with creative ways to mock Classicism. He makes videos occasionally. Follow him on Letterboxd.

Due to personal circumstances, tonight’s originally scheduled feature, Hazem Fahmy, will not be able to attend. The Boston Poetry Slam looks forward to booking the poet for a future date.