So yes, it's true that I haven't been updating the website near as much as in the past, but life has been rockin my cruise ship a bit lately and cyberworld hasn't seemed quite so important. But why dwell on that, when things are looking up: I'll be hosting Flagstaff's poetry slam for one last semester this fall and I'm really looking forward to it. Lily White has also said that she'll be sharing the responsibilites, which, let me tell you, tickles me. I love to host. I'm not sure what it is. I'm outside of the competition and get to encourage the newbies and give the vets a hard time... it's a blast.

Come check it out:

*********** THE FLAGSLAM: 2005-2006 Season Kickoff featuring BIG POPPA E WEDNESDAY September 14, 2005 now at THE HIVE (319 S. San Francisco St.) sign-up 7:30, slam @ 8:00pm, $2 admission Adult language & themes, hosted by Logan Phillips ***********

We start out Year Five in our best venue yet, the Hive, located near the corner of S. San Francisco and Butler. Just look for the steeple--the Hive is housed in the building of Flagstaff's oldest church. First up on the pulpit? LOGAN PHILLIPS returns as FlagSlam host for the fall season.

"THE FUNNIEST POET IN SLAM!" The Austin Chronicle

"EXUBERANTLY DEFIANT!" The New York Times

"AN ICON!" Ms. Magazine

"LEGENDARY!" The Albuquerque Journal

Who could the above quotes be referring to? Why, our featured poet of course! He is none other than BIG POPPA E, a veteran poet now out of Austin, TX. He has been seen on Def Poetry Jam and on several National Poetry Slam finals stages. He can rock a room like no other, and be sure to bring a few extra bucks to pick up one of his books or DVD's, trust us, you'll want to. Get a taste of BPE online at http://www.bigpoppae.com

SUGAR, CAFFEINE & VERSE: Munchies, beverages and underground merchandise will be on sale. Bring the dolla billz.

HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF: We will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items, clothing and bottled water for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please be generous.

POETS: Sign-up is in the back room of the Hive from 7:30 to 7:45 sharp. 15 poets will compete in the slam, and this is how they'll be picked: the first 7 poets to sign-up are automatically in the slam. Everyone that signs up after that will have their name put in a hat, from which we will draw 8 names. That makes 15 poets total. Be sure to bring three of your original poems. This is the most fair system we've been able to come up with, if you have suggestions, reply to this email, or better yet, come to a volunteer meeting: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6-7pm @ The Hive.

*********** POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP & OPEN MIC Not digging the competition, or want to polish your work outside of the slam? Check this out: every Monday at the Campus Coffee Bean (1800 S. Milton) bring multiple copies of a poem to workshop with a small, supportive group. Free & open to all. Workshop @ 7pm sharp, Open Mic @ 8pm.

FLAGSLAM VOLUNTEER COUNCIL Want to get involved? Good, cause we need you! All are welcome to our biweekly meetings where we decide how the FlagSlam is run, who we want to feature & a whole lot more. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6-7pm @ The Hive. ***********

It's time for a good slam! Metaphor! Poetry! Hilarity! Soul! Community! WEDNESDAYS! http://www.flagstaffpoetry.com http://www.norazpoets.org