Return to the Boston Poetry Slam presents…

NorthBEAST Regional Poetry Slam

“NorthBEAST” was a term originally coined by the Providence, Rhode Island Brave New Voices youth slam team to describe and cheer on the fearsome writers and performers of the New England youth region. It has since come to stand for the entire New England community of performance poetry. Please see the NorthBEAST Facebook page for more information.

The original NorthBEAST Championship took place in Providence, R.I. in 2006. The event has since become an annual two-day competition designed for the dual purposes of bringing the New England poetry community together and completing official regional slams to qualify local teams for the National Poetry Slam. The event generally occurs in October or November to qualify for the following year’s NPS. Boston Poetry SlamMaster Simone Beaubien has served as the event’s Tournament Director since 2007.

Past individual NorthBEAST Champions and teams:

  • 2011 in Worcester, Mass.: Matt Gallant (Manchester)
    8 slams represented: Lizard Lounge, Portland, Jersey City, Manchester, Providence, Mill City, Worcester, Cantab
  • 2010, Manchester, N.H.: Seth Walker (Worcester)
    8 slams represented: Cantab, Manchester, Providence, Worcester, Hampshire, Portland, LoserSlam, Jersey City
  • 2009, Manchester, N.H.: Megan Thoma (Providence)
    8 slams represented: Cantab, Manchester, Providence, Worcester, Hampshire, Portland, LoserSlam, Steel City
  • 2008, Cambridge, Mass.: April Ranger (Cantab Lounge)
    12 slams represented Cantab, Lizard, Manchester, Providence, Worcester, Portland, Hampshire, White Plains, LoserSlam, Urbana, Nuyorican, PhillyFUZE
  • 2007, Cambridge, Mass.
    8 slams represented Cantab, Lizard, Manchester, Providence, Worcester, White Plains, DelaWhere, LoserSlam
  • 2006, Providence, R.I.: Omoizele Okoawo (Lizard Lounge)

Any venue certified by Poetry Slam, Inc. is invited to send a team to the competition, although teams from New England are given first priority. Venues interested in sending a team to the 2012 event may email the Tournament Director.