We have returned from Florida in one piece. As you can see from our pictures we had a brilliant time. It was HAWTT. Our team put in a good showing. Everyone busted ass and brought the power from SC on stage with them. All poets had a chance to perform several times during this, literally, non-stop poetic weekend. We attended erotic slams, youth slams, slam master slams, head-to-head haiku slams and many vaious late night cyphers. We went swimming... at night. We played with poets from all over the south-east. We drank tea. We composed lyrics on street corners. We wrote frantically during slams we were not in. We flirted. We sang. We danced in ways other members of the team did not think possible. Most of all... we had a blast. We came out as one of the most liked teams at the competition. Everyone was talking about the "Columbia Team" and that, to us, is really an accomplishment. We learned that we have a long way to go before we grace the finals stage but it is not due to enthusiam and lack of talent. This is an amazing group that represented our venue this year. We hope it sets the tone for years to come.

We are leaving TONIGHT, at 7pm, to make a 7-8 hour treck to Florida for Regionals. The work the team has put in this past month is incredible. We are very proud and excited to be competing against some of the best poets in the best region of the country. Ok, so we're biased! We will be out of the state until Sunday night. Cross your fingers and your pens for this group of fantastic, fun and flirty individuals. Columbia... we're gonna make you proud!

 

p.s. VerseWorks is now EVERY Tuesday night. 8:30-10:30pm. ArtBar. Help us pack the house every week for the cheekest little venue in town. We've even started to develop some Grade A hecklers. Go us!

It's no surprise to anyone who has come out for VerseWorks that our venue hosts a varied and amazing collection of local talent. We had our Grand Slam on April 29th to determine the team that will represent Columbia at regionals. Thank you to all poets who participated. It was one of the best nights so far... and we didn't even need costumes.

The 2008 Team:
~ Melinda Oliver
~ Jon Poets
~ Joye Harmon
~ Jason Spiro
~ Kendal Turner

Coach: Chris McCormick
Slam Master: JB Frush-Marple

Come see the team perform March 20th to wish them luck at Southern Fried! Southern Fried is the South-East regional poetry slam held, this year, in Tallahasse, Flordia from June 5-7th. Congrats to the team and thanks to all who came out to support. Poetry 4 the Win!

I am soooo excited.  We have the posters done for the premiere of the VerseWorks poetry series.  Local screenprinting geniuses Half and Half (www.thehalfandhalf.com) made them, and they are gorgeous:



I told them I wanted something that had the feel of an old Vaudeville or circus poster, and this is what they came up with. Turning stuffy old poetry readings on their head. Get it?

They look amazing in their full-size glory.

We've got 50 of them, and we'll be putting them up around town this weekend.  We'll save 10 of them, get them signed, and sell them at shows.  Half and Half usually sells their limited edition handmade posters at $20 and up; we'll probably go for $15, and it all supports a great cause.  So if you want one, contact me now or bring your $ to the show.

So. Anyone wanna help put up posters this weekend?

- C

PS: If you look closely, you'll get an early hint about our featured poet for the Premiere.....