Poetry in Motion

Worcester hosts the Second Annual Individual World Poetry Slam

By Leon Nigrosh

February 2005 – Worcester has long been home to many famous poets, including Elizabeth Bishop (1911- 1979) and Stanley Kunitz (who will celebrate his 100th birthday later this year). So it stands to reason that the city has won the privilege of hosting the Second Annual Individual World Poetry Slam Championships [iWPS].

February 10 through 12, Worcester will be hosting more than 60 of the best performance poets from around the United
States, and possibly Europe as well. This important event is being sponsored by the Worcester Poet’s Asylum in conjunction with Po8ry Slam Inc and the venerable Worcester County Poetry Association.

These competitions pit individuals against each other in bouts lasting one to four minutes. No props, costumes or music are allowed, just the sound of each poet’s original words. And there are no hotshot judges like Simon Cowell or Paula
Abdul. For these proceedings, the judges for each bout are chosen from members of the audience who then score each poet Olympic-style, with scorecards from zero to ten. This year, Worcester is being represented by writer/artist Lea Deschenes.

To add to the excitement, preliminary events and opening ceremonies will be held in the Bijou Cinema, graciously lent by Berkeley Management, on Wednesday night, February 9 at 7 p.m. There’s also a full list of daytime events, workshops and latenight readings. The three-day festival culminates with the final rounds taking place in the beautifully restored Tuckerman Hall.

For more information, check out
iwps2005.poetsasylum.org or call Bill
MacMillan at (508) 755-5673.