I'll be in Arizona on Memorial Day weekend! After missing last year, I'll be back at one of my favorite poetry events in the world (literally). The Arcosanti Slab City Slam! I'll be performing a BRAND NEW PERFORMANCE ART PIECE ON FRIDAY NIGHT and cohosting the slam on Saturday all day. I'll be taking a lot of risks. You'll probably see me burst into flames. We'll see if that's in a good way or a bad way. Jewelynx is convinced it will be in a good way.
Arcosanti is halfway between PHX and FLG on I-17. If you've never been there, coming is worth it just to see the place itself. More info below:
The Arizona Spoken Word Festival and Slab City Slam returns to Arcosanti for its 7th year, on May 25, 26, and 27, 2007. Slab City Slam is a performance poetry competition for bragging rights as state slam poetry champions. Ten teams of poets from across the state will compete in three fast-paced, funny, exciting, and heart-wrenching rounds that will last all day and into the night on Saturday, May 26th. This highly anticipated spoken word event offers an opportunity to see what variety Arizona’s literary performance community has to offer.
A special night of performance kicks off the festival on Friday, May 25th, at 7pm. Prescott-area poets Doc Luben and Dan Seaman will present solo spoken word performances, Flagstaff’s The Family will perform acoustic bluegrass and roots music, and Arcosanti’s Dan Kelliher will perform a late-night solo set of original songs.
Saturday, May 26th begins when the action kicks into high gear in the beautiful Colly Soleri Music Center at 10am, with the first of three rounds of slam poetry at its very best. Slam is audience-judged, high-energy, competitive performance poetry. Ten teams from throughout Arizona square off for an uncensored, no-holds barred competitive poetry extravaganza. Phoenix-based improv comedy group Galapagos will perform between poetry rounds throughout the day. The competition is followed by a live bronze trophy pour in the Arcosanti bronze foundry, followed by a major spectacle performance by Tucson’s master fire performance troupe Flam Chen (www.flam-chen.com). Then, those who are still standing slip into the night for a bonfire after-party and informal poetry share around the fire.
Sunday, May 27th rounds out the weekend, with the low-impact Haiku Death Match and Boys v Girls Haiku Slam in the Arcosanti Ceramic Apse. Finally, participants and audience are welcome to enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the Arcosanti pool before cleaning up and heading home.
* The event is entirely free and open to all members of the public, though donations for use of the site and the performers are strongly encouraged. * Camping is available on Arcosanti’s property, both Friday and Saturday nights, for $5.00 per night. * Arcosanti’s Visitor Center will be open all weekend, offering tours of the Arcosanti project, the world famous Soleri Windbells for sale, meals in the Arcosanti Café, snacks in the Bakery, and beer and wine at the Part-Timer Pub. * Parking is limited, please carpool. * No underage drinking, glass in the amphitheatre, or pets (except AAO) are allowed. * All artistic content completely uncensored and potentially life-altering. Be warned.
Arcosanti is located 65 miles north of Phoenix, and 2 1/2 miles northeast of Cordes Junction. Take exit 262 off I-17 and follow the signs for Arcosanti.