Slam 101 introduces competitive poetry to Maricopa (video)

A standing-room-only crowd ranging from teens to senior citizens turned out for Poetry Slam 101 Thursday night at Honeycutt Coffee.

As the kickoff event for the new expo “Got Arts, Maricopa?” the session was a time of performance as well as introduction of the poetry slam concept to Maricopans. The Klute, an established slam master, hosted the presentation by Maricopa Arts Council.

The Klute shared a handful of his own works, from railing on the “sadists” at the Arizona Department of Tourism to celebrating the great white shark. Among three poets joining him was John Quiñonez, who is coordinating this year’s Individual World Poetry Slam in Flagstaff in October.

Quiñonez also shared poetry, including the slam version of haiku. Jess Ballantyne performed her humorous and angry works on relationships. Joy Young took on politics and identity, also with sharp and personal insight.

Slam 101 was a prep for future poetry events and other arts events in Maricopa. As a prelude to the poets, local artists Maria Pour, Bonnie Del Turco and Valentine Ackerson created art on the spot for Honeycutt Coffee.

The Klute will be back in Maricopa on Sept. 9 for the open mic at the artist reception at Maricopa Public Library.

Poetry Slam 101

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GOT ARTS, MARICOPA Fall/Winter Schedule
Sept. 4        Maricopa Artists Gallery at City Hall
Sept. 9        Inaugural Gallery and Adult Open Mic Poetry Evening at Maricopa Public Library
Sept. 22-24    Maricopa Community Theatre teen production of “An Ideal Husband”
Oct. 13-15    Maricopa Community Theatre Mainstage world premier of “Passing Strange”
Oct. 22        Performing Arts Gala at MHS Performing Arts Center with orchestra, chorus and dancers
Nov. 4        Kids’ Poetry Slam at Maricopa Public Library
Nov. 5        Art on the Veranda at The Duke at Rancho El Dorado
        Maricopa High School Theatre production
Nov. 18        World Music Showcase at Copper Sky with Taiko ensemble and Ak-Chin band and dancers
Dec. 3        DSPA Dance Company’s annual Sugar Plum Tea
Dec. 6        Maricopa High School end-of-term concert
Dec. 9        Maricopa Chorus Holiday Concert
Dec. 16        Maricopa Music Circle Chamber Orchestra Winter Serenade
January (TBA)    Studio Crawl 1: Drive-yourself tour of artist studios
Jan. 14        Maricopa Community Theatre Mainstage production of “Little Women”
Jan. 28        Adult Poetry Slam