the louderARTS Project

SLAM THIS! RULES & INFORMATION

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE POINTS. IT'S ABOUT THE POETRY.
Something to keep in mind. :-)

I. GENERAL RULES

1. First 8 poets to sign up, slam. Sign up begins at 7PM SHARP. In case of list overload, it is possible a lottery will be instituted. When necessary, poets who have not slammed may be given priority over those who have.
2. Slams are scheduled for 3 rounds with all 8 poets in the 1st, top 5 in the 2nd, top 3 in the 3rd. 3rd round is clean slate; winner take all. When necessary, slams may be shortened to 2 rounds with a winner take all format in the 2nd round.
3. All poems must be under 3 minutes. Poems over 3 minutes will receive a 0.5 point time penalty for every ten seconds over 3:10. Time begins the moment you speak or engage the audience.
4. No musical accompaniment, no group pieces, no props, no costumes (including removal of an article of clothing).
5. Five scores will be given with the lowest and highest dropped and the remaining three added for a total from 0-30. Poet with the highest score in the final round is the winner.

II. QUALIFYING FOR THE SEMI-FINALS & FINALS

In each open slam, points are awarded to the top three finishers: 3 points for 1st place, 2 points for 2nd, 1 point for 3rd. At the end of the qualifying season--approx March 25, 2005--there will be a maximum of fifteen (15) Semi-Finalists, based on final rankings in the semi-monthly open slams.

Ties in ranking will be broken by level of participation (ie: someone who has slammed four times will beat out someone who's slammed three times).

III. NO-REPEAT RULE

3rd round poems in the open slams and Invitationals are retired until Semi-Finals.

IV. ELIGIBILITY FOR SEMI-FINALS AND FINALS

In order to be eligible to compete for a spot on the National team, you must:

1. Compete in a minimum of two (2) open slams, regardless of overall ranking;
2. Make a committment to taking a spot on the National team, should one be earned, and to all reasonable meetings, rehearsals and fund-raisers.

Note: Due to potential conflicts of interest, no louderARTS team member may serve as slammaster for another venue. Before participating in the semi-final competition, any current slammaster must agree to step down from this position should she/he make the louderARTS team.

V. POETRY

Remember: "It's not about the points. It's about the poetry." Listen to other people's poetry. READ other people's poetry. Take a workshop. Read things besides poetry. For you political poets, check your facts BEFORE reading the poem in front of people. For you nature poets, what does that flower mean to YOU? For you page poets, performing your poem doesn't have to mean memorizing it or being able to dance. For you performers, be sure you've got some content behind the spectacle.