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In the last days of NPS '09,and through the rehearsal season leading up to NPS, a few issues came up. Everyone agreed we should get a jump on the idea of a "team contract" or mission statement throughout the season rather than just after team decisions.Along with this, poets clamored for more time to write, workshop & cultivate a stronger sense of community and practice through-out the season.
Interestingly enough, it seems another team in slam may have been thinking along similar lines.Loser Slam from New Jersey, who came in next to us in group piece finals at #3 posted a public display of operating instructions, basic rules of slam, and so forth (Chad Anderson & the Losers are so rad).
Not to be a complete plagarist, we looked at it and said "wow, this is pretty much what we had in mind" and adapted the structure of it to suit our new venue, times, etc.
Thank you, friends at Loser Slam, we took your ball and we're going to run with it.And, of course, in wherever venue we can, give it back.
ART AMOK ATLANTA 2009/10
Operating Instructions{Please READ }....
.. ..
ART AMOK AND THE
POETRY SCENE OF ATLANTA thanks you for your continued support. In the
past 5 years, we’ve included poets & audiences from diverse backgrounds to
form friendships, network, put a place on the map for touring poets & develop a remarkable community. For
this, we’re thankful. You know who the organizers are - they send you emails,
upload photos, tag photos, create event invites and so much more – thank them,
buy them a coffee, hug them - the show would be impossible without their
efforts & those of the supportive listeners and judges who give us ears.
With this idea of community in mind, we’re refining our local rules to bring us
closer to national standards.
....
Basics of Slam~(yes, it began by with a working class
truck driver in Chicago named Marc Smith to bring audiences to poetry and vice
versa, in a populist, not stuffy form).....
.. ..
The time limit for
poems in the slam is 3:00. There is a 10 second grace period. So poems
under 3:10 will not be penalized. Poems will be penalized (.5) half point at
3:10:01, (1) point at 3:20:01, (1.5) One and one half points at 3:30:01 and so
on. The time starts at the first contact with audience; this can be a word or
action. The audience as a whole is allowed to raise hands, stand or otherwise
gesture to let you know that your poem is too long at 3:10.
There will a 10 poet cap on the slam signup. Slam signup goes up at 7
and closes when full or at 7:30, whichever comes first. Substitutions are at
the discretion of SMs/host. Do us all a favor and be on time.
In
the slam,
a poet cannot use props or instruments. In the slam, performance of group
pieces will result in a disqualification from the slam but are encouraged for
specified theme slams. No repeats from
slam to slam are not required, but encouraged~we want to keep the slams fresh
and your ink flowing & your pockets DEEP for post-season.
The point system
is as follows: If there are 10 poets, 1st place is 10, 2nd
is 9, 3rd is 8 and so forth. You earn points for the number of poets
you beat & for the number of slams you compete in. If there are 5 poets, 1st
place gets 5 points, 2nd 4, and so on. An extra point will be added
for hosting, creating an outside event, workshop, fundraiser, or any other
contribution that serves the community. Slam master & captain will have
access to scores & points all season to publicize how everyone is doing.
Highest points determine who qualifies for SLAM TEAM SELECTION FINALS.
The National
Poetry Slam (NPS) is a 21 and over event. However, the Tournament Director
has accommodated poets 18 and over. If you are 18 and over and would like to
slam towards the team, please do. Just be patiently aware that it is not up
to Art Amok’s SM or committee whether or not 18 and over poets will be able to
compete at this year’s NPS.
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Teamwork Expectations
(this sounds daunting, but it’s much more fun when you’re in it creatin’ stuff):....
Making Art Amok’s team is an exciting event. If this is your goal, please
understand that a team is like a relationship: it requires commitment and
communication. As of this posting, NPS 2010 will be in ST. Paul, MN (the
winning team from NPS ’09 was St. Paul). In the past it has been in places such
as Austin, TX, Madison, WI and West Palm Beach, FL. Getting a 4 – 6 AMOK POETS from
GA to NPS can be expensive. ART AMOK holds fundraisers, collects donations and
sells merchandise throughout the year to meets these and other expenses.
However, if ART AMOK is unable to cover all expenses, the team, through additional
fundraising and/or personal donation, is responsible for the difference. There are no free rides and no one person is
more valuable than any other .Think about that.
Additionally, a team practices.
A
lot. Currently, Atlanta ART AMOK is ranked 4th in the nation, out of 60+ teams in the Group Piece category.
This honor is the result of hours, days,
nights of practices, critiques, revisions, performances and scrimmage
competitions. In summer months, we typically meet 3 nights a week & every night 2 weeks out from
Nationals. If you can’t make it, you need to make up the time with another team
mate. Each team member is required to generate at least one group
piece & one fundraising event. Have a mind to this all season as you
compete. At least one free
weekend in June & July will be required for writing retreats. If you
have questions about the time required, talk to any slam poets who have been
on previous teams.
Poetry
etiquette:
....
•If you have an announcement
that pertains to the wide world of poetry, please write it legibly on
paper (or, if for an event, bring in the flyer) and give it to the evening’s
host. You MUST do this well before the end of the show. Please don’t use the slam as an
advertisement. Let the host sell your event & product for you.
•Please respect the mic; it’s rude to leave after you slam. You want a
full audience and so does everyone else. If you slam and leave after you are
eliminated from competition, coincidentally, you will DRAW the ONE
or be asked to SAC for the next slam. This is a community. If your ego is too
bruised to stay and cheer for your fellow poets, you might also want to give
consideration to how you will deal with the numerous and varied critiquing
session that an ART AMOK team member participates in. Listening & learning
is as important as performing & it’s how we all grow. ....
If
there is some kind of emergency, exceptions can be made PRIOR TO THE SLAM with the slam ma’am or host.
•Pay your bill, buy a beverage, tip & come to Urban Grind on other
nights.We want our venue to succeed as a business so we & everyone have a
home.They also put up with our foul mouths!
Please "share this" & circulate it on your profile page. Everyone
who slams with Art Amok should read this.
ART AMOK is every first Friday (& potentially 3rd)
Writing workshop 3rd Friday 7 until
the slam is on
Slam starts at 8pm
Urban Grind is at 962
Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318-5590