The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry

by Smith, Marc Kelly; Kraynak, Joe

• ISBN13: 9781592572465
• ISBN10: 1592572464
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-08-03
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

You're no idiot, of course. You've heard about slam poetry. Maybe you've even been to a few slams and had a blast. But when it comes to actually getting up onstage yourself, you come down with a bad case of stage fright ... Shatter your fears with the right information. Take some tips from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slam Poetry -- and you'll be a slammin' poet in no time at all. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Marc Kelly Smith has brought to the poetry community a new style of presentation, which has given birth to an entirely new literary and performance movement. Smith has performed at The Smithsonian Institute and the Kennedy Center, and has been featured on CNN and NPR.

Joe Kraynak is a freelance writer whose long list of books includes The Complete Idiot's Guide to Computer Basics, Que's Internet Yellow Pages 2004, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to the Oceans.

Table of Contents

Part 1: What Is the Poetry Slam?	1	(44)
1 Digging the Roots of Spoken Word Poetry	3	(16)
Spoken Word Poetry's Long Tradition	4	(3)
Battling Bards	5	(1)
Beat, Hip-Hop, Rap, and Other Genres	6	(1)
Slam Takes Center Stage	7	(4)
Sowing the Seeds of Slam	7	(1)
The Big Definition of Slam Poetry	8	(1)
Poetry and Performance	9	(1)
Conflicts and Synergies	9	(1)
Staged Bouts for Audience Appeal	9	(1)
Family, Feuds, and Friendships	10	(1)
Who Inspired This Madness? and Why?	11	(2)
The Chicago Poetry Ensemble	11	(1)
The Fires Rage	12	(1)
Poetry Of, By, and For the People	13	(1)
Wherefore Art Thou, Slam?	13	(1)
Slam Poetry Goes National	14	(2)
Marc's Blow-by-Blow Account of the First NPS	14	(1)
To Balance the Account-Gary Glazer's Recollections	15	(1)
The One-Two Punch: The Second and Third NPS	16	(1)
Slam Poetry Goes Global	16	(1)
Slam Poetry Here and Now	17	(2)
2 Soaking In the Spirit of Slam	19	(10)
"The Points Are Not the Point"	20	(1)
Relearning the Art of Listening	21	(1)
Performance Poet as Audience Servant	22	(1)
Boo! Hiss! Audience with Attitude	23	(1)
Breaking Down the Color (and Collar) Barriers	23	(2)
Competition and Camaraderie	25	(1)
The Culture of Democracy	26	(3)
3 Slam Competition-Rules, Regulations, and Other Formalities	29	(16)
It's a Game, Stupid!	30	(1)
The First Slam Competition	31	(1)
Following the Rules	32	(3)
Perform Your Own Work	33	(1)
Three Minutes Is All We Can Stand	33	(1)
No Props, Costumes, Trombones, or Other Carry-on Luggage	33	(1)
Scoring: 0 to 10 (or Down to Minus Infinity)	34	(1)
Famous Slam Disclaimers	35	(2)
We Begin Each Slam with a Disclaimer-Bob Holman at the Nuyorican Café	35	(1)
The Mean Chicago Rules Marc (So What!) Smith	36	(1)
The Official Emcee Spiel Used at the National Poetry Slams	37	(1)
The Many Flavors of Slam	37	(4)
Unseen Slam	37	(1)
Theme Slams	38	(1)
Cover Slam	39	(1)
Relay Slam	39	(1)
Prop Slam	40	(1)
Pong jam Slam-Music to the Poetic Ear	40	(1)
Local Slams-Laws and Bye-Laws	41	(1)
Heading for the Nationals-Get Serious!	42	(3)
Part 2: Becoming a Performance Poet	45	(70)
4 Penning the Powerful Slam Poem	41	(22)
Seeing Is Believing-Concrete Vs. Abstract Language	48	(3)
Slam Examples of Concrete Language	49	(1)
Abstract Language	49	(1)
Flaccid Phrasing	50	(1)
Too Smart for Your Performance	51	(1)
Rock to the Rhythm	51	(2)
It's Gotta Sound Good, Too	53	(1)
Guess the Rhyme	54	(1)
No Sermons, But If You Must Preach	55	(2)
Once Upon a Slam-Storytelling	57	(2)
What's Your Point-Oratory, Poetics, or a Laundry List of Love?	59	(2)
Pop Ideas and Newspaper Politics	60	(1)
Write About Yourself	60	(1)
All Forms Can Slam	61	(2)
5 From Page to Stage	63
Confronting Stage Fright-Overcoming the Fear	63	(6)
Slay the Confidence Busters	64	(1)
Is That Text Well-Prepared?	65	(1)
Visualize Success	66	(1)
Practice, Practice, Practice	66	(1)
Shift Your Focus	66	(1)
Please Release Me	67	(1)
Tricks (or No-Brainers) of the Trade	68	(1)
Not Recommended	68	(1)
Celebrating Your Slam Virginity, and Then Losing It	69	(1)
Accumulate Stage Time	70	(1)
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse	71	(1)
From Closet to Mirror to Tape Recorder to Friendly Ears	72
Through the Looking Glass	72	(1)
Replay	73	(1)
Recruiting a Critique	73	(1)
Let It Out in Workshops	73
6 Honing Your Performance Technique	15	(76)
Performance as an Art Form	76	(2)
Engage	76	(1)
Entertain	77	(1)
Affect	77	(1)
Entertaining Fundamentals	78	(5)
Vary the Volume	78	(2)
Tweak the Tempo	80	(1)
Articulate	81	(1)
Breathe Deep and Pause	82	(1)
Shake, Gesture, and Move	83	(2)
Walk the Talk	84	(1)
Imagine the Stone	84	(1)
Paint the Reading Room Red	85	(1)
Shake It Out	85	(1)
Look 'Em in the Eye	85	(2)
Mood, Persona, and Where You Be	87	(4)
7 Building a Performance and a Few More Skills	91	(14)
Mastering the Art of Seductive Revelation	92	(3)
Enter and Open with Flair	92	(2)
Hold 'Em	94	(1)
Mixing It Up	95	(2)
Something Up Your Sleeve	95	(1)
From Knee-Slappers to Side-Splitters	95	(1)
Spectacle and Visual Accessories	96	(1)
Musical Accompaniment and Sound Effects	96	(1)
The Edge	96	(1)
Cohesive and Corrosive Patter	97	(1)
Closers	97	(1)
Be Genuine in Content and Style	98	(2)
All Forms Can Slam-Take Two	99	(1)
Avoiding Common Performance Clichés	99	(1)
Memorization	100	(2)
How We Make Memory Deposits	100	(1)
Bringing It Back	101	(1)
The Memorization Curve	101	(1)
Performing in the Zone	102	(3)
8 Where and flow to Gig Around	105	(10)
Happy Days Are Here Again	106	(2)
Open Mike Search	106	(2)
Getting on Track with Weekly or Monthly Shows	108	(1)
All the Gigs You Can Do	108	(3)
Bookstore Readings
Nightclubs, Saloons, and Other Informal Venues	109	(1)
Late-Night Theater	110	(1)
Performance Venues	110	(1)
Schools Can Do It, Too (Educational Outreach)	110	(1)
Don't Forget the Slams	111	(1)
Do-It-Yourself Venues (Create Your Own Show)	111	(1)
Performance Poetry Etiquette 101	111	(1)
Proper Etiquette for Poets and Per formers	111	(2)
Audience Etiquette	113	(2)
Part 3: Going Poet Professional	115	(40)
9 Packaging and Promoting Your Performance	111	(20)
Thinking Like a Marketing Mogul	118	(1)
Slapping Together a Press Pack	118	(6)
Get It in Print	119	(1)
Get It on Tape	120	(3)
Roll 'Em: Filming Your Act	123	(1)
Low-Budget or All-Out Glitz?	124	(1)
Establishing Yourself on the Web	124	(2)
Structuring Your Website	125	(1)
Promoting Your Website	126	(1)
Generating Stories, Interviews, and Media Attention	126	(5)
Step 1: Write a Press Release	127	(1)
Step 2: Send the Press Release	127	(1)
Step 3: Call 'Em	127	(1)
Work Your Angle	128	(1)
Hit the Airwaves	129	(1)
Press the Flesh	129	(2)
10 Taking Your Show on the Road	131	(12)
Tour Planning 101	132	(4)
Step 1: Route Your Tour	132	(1)
Step 2: Score Some Gigs	133	(1)
Step 3: Get a Ride	134	(1)
Step 4: Find a Place to Sleep and Shower	134	(1)
Step 5: Marketing Your Tour	135	(1)
Schmoozing the Bookers, the Waiters, the Ticket Takers	136	(3)
Slams and Their Masters	136	(1)
Nightclub Owners and Their Managers	136	(1)
Buttering Up the Booking Agents	137	(1)
Concert Halls-Performing in the Big House	138	(1)
Don't Get Set Up to Fail	139	(1)
Getting Paid	140	(3)
11 Old-School Advice: Act Professional	143	(12)
Oh, Behave!	144	(4)
Keep It Down During a Performance	145	(1)
Don't Pull Focus While Others Are Performing	145	(1)
Don't Glower	145	(1)
No Hoot-and-Holler Cheerleading	145	(1)
Keep Conspicuous Negative Opinions to Yourself	146	(1)
It's Not Your House	146	(1)
Would You Talk That Way to Grandma?	147	(1)
Be Prepared	148	(2)
Have a Plan	148	(1)
Practice Your Performance	149	(1)
Offstage Preparation: Getting the Nerves Out	149	(1)
Hitting Your Mark	150	(1)
Use Your Nervous Condition to Your Advantage	150	(1)
Make the Right Approach	150	(1)
Take the Mike	151	(1)
Respect Your Audience	151	(1)
Primping for the Stage	151	(1)
Hawking Your Wares	152	(3)
Part 4: Setting the Stage for Yourself and Others	155	(58)
12 Should I Become a Slammaster?	151
Do You Have the Itch?	158	(1)
Taking Inventory-Do You Have What It Takes?	159	(4)
Are You Doing This for Yourself?	159	(1)
Do You Have a Vision?	160	(1)
Do You Have a Support Network?	160	(1)
Do You Have the Time and Energy?	161	(1)
Are You a Show Maker?	162	(1)
Are You As Crazy As the Rest of Us?	163	(1)
Tallying Your Talents and Resources	163	(1)
Been There, Seen That	163	(1)
Been There, Done That	164	(1)
The Obstacles Ahead	164	(3)
The Hoity-Toity Establishment	164	(1)
Cash Flow Problems	165	(1)
Shifting Sands-Unforeseen Changes	165	(1)
Pettiness and Social Hostility	166	(1)
Sharpening Your Vision	167
Look Inside: Personal Needs	167	(1)
Look Around: Community Needs	167	(1)
Slam Spin-Offs-An Ever-Evolving Art	168
13 Scoping Out the Right Venue	111	(74)
Composing a Venue Wish List	172	(3)
Think Small-Small Enough to Create a Happening	172	(1)
Ambience Is Everything	173	(2)
Frame the Picture	175	(2)
The Necessary Services	176	(1)
Location, Location, Location	176	(1)
Now Write It Down	177	(1)
Say Ohhmmm and Begin the Search	177	(2)
The Finger Walking List	178	(1)
Foot Walking List	178	(1)
Get Connected	179	(1)
Pick a Night	179	(1)
Judgment Day	180	(1)
Closing the Deal	181	(2)
Money Talk	181	(1)
Who Does What?	182	(1)
Hey! I Can't Find a Venue!	183	(1)
Hooray! You Did It! Now Make It Yours	183	(2)
14 All the Slam's a Stage	185	(10)
Rising Above the Rabble-Stage Focus	185	(1)
Poet-in-a-Box: The Black Box	186	(1)
Above the Crowd on the Bandstand	187	(1)
The Spartan Stage: Cleared Space	188	(1)
The Great Hall	188	(1)
The Big-Time Stage: The Proscenium	189	(1)
Bring on the Bells and Whistles	189	(1)
Bigger's Not Always Better	189	(1)
The Outdoor Stage: Help!	190	(1)
Speak Up, They Can't Hear Ya!	190	(1)
Think Big	191	(1)
The Rickety Rent-A-Stage	191	(1)
What? No Stage?! No Cleared Space?!	192	(1)
Worse Than Nothing: Bad Scenes	192	(3)
15 Let's Get Technical	195	(6)
Tuning In to Sound Systems-Can You Hear Me Now?	196	(2)
"Testing...One...Two...Three..."	196	(2)
Light 'Em if They Got 'Em	198	(2)
Lights Up, Lights Down	198	(1)
Homespun Lighting Systems	199	(1)
Top-Shelf Lighting	199	(1)
Adding Some Glitz	200	(1)
Dressing for Performance	200	(2)
Spicing It Up with a Little Music	202	(1)
Slide Shows	202	(3)
Props and Drops	205
16 Choosing Your Crew	201	(10)
Flying Solo-the Self-Made Slam	208	(1)
Organizing by Committee	208	(1)
The Duties to Delegate	209	(2)
Marketing	209	(1)
Scouting for Talented Performers	210	(1)
Trustworthy and Reliable Assistants	210	(1)
Emcees Wanted-Charisma Required	211	(3)
Auditioning Emcees	212	(1)
Relief Pitchers-Back-Up Emcees Need Charisma, Too	213	(1)
Mixing It Up with Different Personalities	213	(1)
Offstage Support	214	(2)
Sound and Light	214	(1)
Doorperson	214	(1)
Scorekeepers/Timers	215	(1)
Merchandise Sellers	215	(1)
Judges	215	(1)
In-House Ensembles	216
17 Taking Ownership of Your Show	211	(18)
Acting as Gracious Host	218	(1)
Greeting Your Guests	218	(1)
Introducing Your Guests	219	(1)
Acting as the Maitre d'	219	(1)
Setting a Stage, Not a Pedestal	219	(2)
Watch the Clock-Starting on Time	221	(1)
Fueling Audience Frenzy	221	(1)
Making the Most of a $lam $ituation	222	(4)
Preserving the History	222	(1)
Creating Anthologies	223	(1)
Compilation CDs	224	(1)
T-Shirts and Souvenirs	225	(1)
Establishing Profitable Partnerships	226	(1)
Absurd Ambitions and Other Worldly Temptations	226	(3)
18 Get the Word Out: Publicizing Your Show	229	(14)
Know What You're Promoting	230	(1)
Angles and Selling Points	230	(1)
Marketing Materials: Forms That Fit	231	(6)
Making a Name (and Logo) for Yourself	231	(1)
Cheap, but Effective: Flyers and Postcards	232	(1)
Not as Cheap, but Very Effective: Posters	233	(1)
Garnering Some Free Press	233	(1)
Managing Mailing (and E-Mailing) Lists	234	(1)
Paid Ads	234	(1)
Cool Calls	235	(1)
Website Appeal	235	(1)
Radio and TV	236	(1)
Never Underestimate Word-of-Mouth	237	(1)
To Whom Are You Promoting?	237	(2)
How Many People Do You Need to Reach?	237	(1)
Calculating the Break-Even Point	238	(1)
Motivating Yourself with Deadlines	239	(1)
The Push	239	(1)
Thank You and Goodnight	240	(3)
19 It's Showtime!	243	(16)
Finding Form in Your Vision	244	(1)
Drawing Up a Slam Itinerary	244	(2)
The Main Station Stops	246	(3)
Greetings	246	(1)
Open Mike	246	(1)
Special Acts and Guest Performers	247	(1)
The Competition	248	(1)
Detailing Your Trip Tick	249	(4)
Adding Ceremony and Ritual	249	(2)
Bring It On-Heckles, Jekylls, and Hydes	251	(1)
Jacks in the Box	251	(2)
Competition as a Theatrical Device	253	(3)
Signing 'Em Up	253	(1)
Picking the judges	253	(2)
Alternative Styles of Judging	255	(1)
To Spin or Not to Spin?	256	(1)
Pace	256	(1)
Leave 'Em Wanting More Effect	257	(2)
20 Expanding Your Market: Special Shows	259
Courting the Institutions	260	(2)
Types of Institutions	260	(1)
Getting Your Foot in the Door	261	(1)
Book Fairs and Festivals	262	(1)
Corporate Conventions and Corporate Programming	262	(1)
Benefits and Their Paybacks	263	(1)
Shaping Your Show for a Special Gig	263	(3)
Motorcycle Slam	263	(1)
Celebrity Slam	264	(1)
Slam Dunk Poet;y Day	265	(1)
Other Twists	266	(2)
The Youth Slam	266	(1)
The Music + Poetry + Slam Slam	267	(1)
Bah! Humbug! The Holiday Slam	267	(1)
From Nothing Something Slams	268	(2)
Fat Tuesday Celebration of the Seven Deadly Sins	268	(1)
Chi Town Classic	268	(1)
Slammin' Across America	269	(1)
Your Overall Strategy	270
Part 5: We Are Slamily: The Slam Family	213	(108)
21 Take It from the Top: PSI, the National Organization	215	(66)
Incorporation-A Necessary Evil	276	(1)
Connecting to the National Scene	277	(4)
Becoming a PSI Member	277	(2)
Help Wanted: Volunteers	279	(1)
Staying in the Loop with the Listserv	280	(1)
Open Lines of Communication	280	(1)
PSI's Noncorporate, Nonprofit Structure	281	(2)
The Slam Family	281	(1)
The SlamMasters' Council	282	(1)
How to Register and Certify Your Slam	283	(1)
Certification and Registration-What's the Difference?	283	(1)
What Is Certification "Evidence"?	284	(1)
How Long Does Certification or Registration Last?	284	(1)
The Closest Thing to a Corporate Structure: The Executive Council	284	(1)
Professional and Volunteer Staff	285	(1)
Subcommittees	286
22 NPS-IWPS: The National Competitions	281	(22)
A Brief History Lesson	288	(1)
Tournament Rites and Rituals	288	(4)
Preshow Tuesday	288	(1)
Opening Day	289	(1)
It's All About Bouts	289	(1)
Sideshows and Other Roadside Attractions	290	(1)
Meetings and Other Formalities	290	(2)
Hey, We Have Fun, Too	292	(1)
It's Official-The PSI Rule Book	292	(5)
Three Basic Rules	293	(1)
The Three-Minute Rule	294	(1)
Team Pieces	295	(1)
Scoring	296	(1)
Judges	296	(1)
Sending a Team	297	(2)
Team Selection Process	298	(1)
Who Gets To Go?	298	(1)
Competing as an Individual	299	(1)
Storm Poets at NPS	299	(1)
Flying Solo at IWPS	299	(1)
Attending as a Volunteer	300	(1)
Hosting a National Competition	300	(3)
23 More Eventful Events (and flow to Get Involved)	303	(12)
PSI Educational and Outreach Programs	304	(3)
Slam Graduates: ACUI College Slam	304	(1)
Slam Summer Camp	305	(1)
Pumping Poetic Iron at the United States Scholar Athlete Games	306	(1)
Slammin' @ Your Library	306	(1)
New York SCORES Annual Poetry	306	(1)
Sowing the Seeds of Slam	307	(1)
Closer to Home: Regional Slams	307	(3)
Southern Fried Poetry Slam	307	(1)
Rust Belt Slam	308	(1)
Western Regional Slam at Big Sur	309	(1)
Slam Spin-Offs	310	(5)
Midwest Poetry Slam League	310	(1)
The New Word Series	311	(1)
Battle of the Bay	312	(1)
Taos Poetry Circus	312	(1)
The Canadian Spoken Word Olympics	313	(1)
Russell Simmons's Def Poetry jam	313	(2)
24 Slam the World Over: The Global Community	315	(6)
Exploring Slam's Growth Pattern	316	(1)
Slam in Germany	317	(4)
Slammin' at the Substanz	318	(1)
The History of the German International Poetry Slam	318	(3)
Poetry Slam in Denmark	321	(1)
Slam in Switzerland	321	(1)
Slam in France	322	(2)
Slam in Singapore	324	(1)
Other Slam Importers	325
Appendixes
A Reference Material	321	(10)
B Slammin' Websites	331	(8)
C SlamSlang	339	(2)
Index	341	(33)
CD Track List	374