Austin Poetry Slam

The Austin Poetry Slam (APS) is one of the longest running poetry venues in Texas. Founded in 1994 by Wammo of the Asylum Street Spankers and helmed for 15 years by former Poetry Slam, Inc. president, Mike Henry, Austin Slam is renowned for memorable and often raucous performances by many of the best poets in the slam poetry world. Austin Slam is best known nationally for hosting the National Poetry Slam (NPS) in 1998,[1] 2006,[2] & 2007,[3] and for Austin teams' national finals stage performances in 1996, 2003,[4] & 2008.[5][6]

Since its inception, many nationally known poets have been regulars and team members at APS, these include Ernie Cline (writer of Fanboys), Ragan Fox (host of Fox in the City), Big Poppa E, Karyna McGlynn, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, Danny Strack, Andy Buck, Genevieve Van Cleve, Da'shade Moonbeam, Christopher Michael, Shannon Leigh, Tony Jackson, Christopher Lee, Krissi Reeves, Emily Shafer, Phil West, Sonya Feher, Faylita Hicks, Love Robinson, Peter Nevland, Danny Solis, David Hendler, Zell Miller III, Hilary Thomas, Matthew John Conely, Ruff Draft, The Minister Sin, Erin Livingston, Jacob "Ohio Jake" Rakovan, Jeff & Tonie Knight, and far too many others to list. In addition, touring poets regularly stop by. Notable featured poets have included Jess Howard, Buddy Wakefield, Derrick C. Brown, Taylor Mali, Mighty Mike McGee, Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz, Andrea Gibson, and many others.

The Austin Slam has made its home in a variety of venues throughout Austin over the years, including the Electric Lounge, Mojo's Daily Grind, Gaby n Mo's,[7][8] The Mercury,[9] Ego's Bar, the Scoot Inn, the ND, Progress Coffee and most recently in 2011, The United States Art Authority. In addition to the weekly show, APS has hosted other readings around Austin, including for the Blanton Art Museum and for SXSW.[10][11] The slam has also released several compilations of local work throughout the years, including Tina's Fine Ass Lingere, a 2007 team CD, and a 2008 DVD recording of the slam-off at the Long Center.

The Austin Poetry Slam continues every Tuesday at 8pm at the Spider House Ballroom. The current slammaster is Danny Strack.[12]

History
  • Hosted the 1998, 2006, and 2007 National Poetry Slam
NPS Austin Team Placings by Year
1995 13th of 26
1996 4th of 27
1997 7th of 33
1998 9th of 45
1999 12th of ~50[13]
2000 24th of 56
2003 3rd of 55
2006 5th of 66
2007 6th of 70
2008 3rd of 76
Austin Poetry Slam National Teams
1995 Mike Henry, Genevieve Van Cleve, Wammo, Phil West
1996 Danny Solis, Hilary Thomas, Wammo, Phil West, Coach: Mike Henry[14]
1997 Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, Genevieve Van Cleve, Wammo, Phil West, Coach: Mike Henry
1998 Ernie Cline, Karyna McGlynn, Susan B.A. Somers-Willett, Genevieve Van Cleve, Coach: Jeff Knight
1999 Vickie Charleston, Ernie Cline, Karyna McGlynn, Phil West, Mike Henry (replacing Ernie Cline)
2000 Sonya Feher, Ragan Fox, Jeff Knight, Gerald Youngblood
2001 Grand Slam Champion: Ernie Cline, Ragan Fox, Jeff Knight, Sara Winn, Coach: Susan B.A. Somers-Willett
2002 Grand Slam Champion: Matthew John Conley, Andy Buck, Big Poppa E, Ragan Fox
2003 Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Lee, Andy Buck, Genevieve Van Cleve, Da'shade Moonbeam, Alternate: Tony Jackson
2004 Grand Slam Champion: Da'shade Moonbeam, Christopher Lee, Tony Jackson, Andy Buck, Zell Miller III, Alternate: David Hendler
2005 Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Michael, Suzy La Follette, Michael P Whalen, Krissi Reeves, Christopher Lee
2006 Grand Slam Champion: Christopher Michael, Genevieve Van Cleve, Da'shade Moonbeam, Tony Jackson, Zell Miller III
2007 Grand Slam Champion: Da'shade Moonbeam, Andy Buck, Tony Jackson, Danny Strack, Krissi Reeves
2008 Grand Slam Co-Champion: Da'shade Moonbeam, Grand Slam Co-Champion: Andy Buck, Tony Jackson, Danny Strack, Christopher Lee
2009 Grand Slam Champion: Faylita Hicks, Big Poppa E. Christopher Lee, Tony Jackson, Danny Strack
2010 Grand Slam Champion: Danny Strack, Lacey Roop. Christopher Lee, Seth Walker, Tova Charles[15]
2011 Grand Slam Champion: Kevin W. Burke, Zachary Caballero, Lacey Roop, Good Ghost Bill, Jomar Valentin[16][17]
2012 Grand Slam Champion: Good Ghost Bill, Margaret Ruth Olson, Kevin W. Burke, Keith Ruckus, Zachary Caballero[18][19]
2013 Grand Slam Champion: Good Ghost Bill, Zai Sadler, Amir Safi, Tova Charles, Kevin W. Burke [20]

References
  1. Nichols, Lee (1997-04-18). "Postscripts: Austin Is Slammin' - Books". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  2. Archived February 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Szabados, Katya (2008-08-10). "SlamCharlotte repeats as champion at National Poetry Slam 2008 in Madison". Isthmus. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  6. Mills, Emily (2008-08-12). "NPS2008: Charlotte takes top prize at poetry slam finals". Dane101. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  7. "Austin Poetry Slam". The Austin Chronicle.
  8. "Austin Downtown Arts".
  10. "Reading Aloud". Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  11. "South by Spoken Word". Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  12. "Austin Poetry Slam | KLRU Collective". Klru.org. Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  13. "State of the Slam". Archived from the original on April 13, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2008.
  14. "Best Reason To Avoid Iambic Pentameter: Austin Poetry Slam Team". The Austin Chronicle. 1996. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  15. "Austin Poetry Slam | PSi Scores [beta]". Scores.poetryslam.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  16. "Austin Poetry Slam | PSi Scores [beta]". Scores.poetryslam.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  17. Dodson, Jacob (2011-08-09). "Austin Competes At The National Poetry Slam [Guest Article". Austinist. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  18. "Austin Poetry Slam | PSi Scores [beta]". Scores.poetryslam.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  19. Egan, John (2012-07-30). "Witness Austin's two best slam poetry teams before they head off to Slam Nationals". Austin.culturemap.com. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  20. "Austin Poetry Slam | PSi Scores [beta]". Scores.poetryslam.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-01. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
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