For Valentine’s Day this year, the Boston Poetry Slam will not offer a specific Erotic Open Mic for the Wednesday closest to the “holiday;” instead, the reading presents a NO ROMANCE open mic, at which the one-off stylings of would-be Casanovas shall be soundly mocked. Proper erotica (note that “consent” is a non-negotiable component of erotica), fanfic/shipping, or professions of aromantic love to your best friend, dog, or favorite comfy sweater will be warmly welcomed. Bingo cards (good for nearly valueless prizes) will be offered to those audience members parties interested in ensuring the success of the No Romance rule.
Of course, if you’ve got the sensible stamina to last the open mic, then you’ll want to stick around for the high-stakes poetry slam thereafter: romantics clash with realists/believers with cynics/rose gardeners with thorn-gatherers in the head-to-head Lovers vs. Leavers poetry slam. The following poets will appear (order will be randomized):
| LOVERS TEAM | LEAVERS TEAM | TOPIC |
| Capt. Joshua Elbaum | Capt. Meaghan Ford | “Peach Emoji” |
| Mugs Myers | Natalie Florescu | “No Scrubs” |
| Emily Duggan | James Merenda | “Send Nudes” |
| Chloé Cunha | Katya Zinn | “First Date” |
| Becca Mackenzie | Thea Harris | “Silent Movie” |
| Kieran Collier | Myles Taylor | “Rearranging Deck Chairs on the Titanic” |
| Amy Mevorach | Charlotte Charlie | “Just in Time” |
| sac: Truj | sac: Cali Stenson | “Rock Bottom” |
This poetry slam will be hosted by cynical lover and lover of cynicism Zeke Russell. Prospective judges of any allegiance are encouraged to email slamseries@bostonpoetryslam.com to get free admission in exchange for scoring the slam.
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 the slam will follow at approximately 10:00. The show is 18+ (ID required) and the cover charge is $3.
Boston Poetry Slam Online