At the opening rounds of the National Poetry Slam, the largest poetry slam in the world, slam teams will take the stage four at a time to battle it out for a chance to advance to semi-finals. Each weeknight represents a double-header poetry slam extravaganza, featuring teams from all over the U.S. and Canada; more than fifty teams will be eliminated after preliminary competition, so these weeknight bouts might be your only chance to catch your favorite national poets on the Boston stages.
BOUTS FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 (both upstairs, 21+, $5)
7:00 p.m. (6:30 doors): Nuyorican (NY) vs. White Plains (NY) vs. Inkwell (TX) vs. Boston-Cantab (MA)
9:00 p.m. (8:30 doors): Austin (TX) vs. louderARTS (NY) vs. Urban Spoken Word (WI) vs. LoserSlam (NJ)
Click here for the complete NPS bout schedule.
LATE SHOWS FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 15 (21+, $7)
11:00 p.m. (upstairs): Wes Hazard and Amy David host Stand-Up Comedians vs. Funny Poets
11:00 p.m. (downstairs): Social Headquarters (no cover)
Click here for the complete NPS Late Show schedule.
For our home crowd: remember that the Boston Poetry Slam at the Cantab Lounge is the official home venue for the National Poetry Slam this year, and if crowds at the National Poetry Slam back in 2011 are any indication, this show will sell out early every night. Please plan your arrival early, or investigate one of the six other venues hosting National Poetry Slam preliminary bouts this week!
This show is part of the week-long National Poetry Slam and takes place UPSTAIRS at the Cantab Lounge, 738 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge. Doors for the show open at 6:30 with the first slam beginning at 7:00, a second slam at 9:00, and a late-night showcase beginning at 11:00. We will clear the room between shows. The slam shows are $5 and the late-night event will be $7: all are free with a Festival Pass. All shows are 21+ (ID required).
Boston Poetry Slam Online