Bernard Schober
Bernard Schober, the Maricopa ARTS Council’s long-time poetry Slam master who performs as “The Klute,” will preside over the virtual All-Arizona Grand Slam! event.

A dozen of the best Slam poets in Arizona will compete Saturday, March 6 in Maricopa.

The All-Arizona Grand Slam! will feature two city poets competing in the state-wide real and virtual contest in performance poetry.

The poets will perform live at City Hall, with judges and spectators watching performances on Facebook Live. The event will run from 5:45 to 9 p.m. An audience of more than 3,000 watched the Maricopa Poetry Slam online in November.

Strict health guidelines will be followed at the venue, where participants will be masked at all times except when performing, and social distancing is mandated.

The Maricopa ARTS Council (MAC) will produce the event, which is sponsored by Vice Mayor Nancy Smith and Councilmembers Vincent Manfredi and Henry Wade. MAC will award money prizes to the three best poets. Over the past six years, MAC has held a city championship and an Arizona All-State Slam Championship at venues ranging from cafes to City Hall.

Bernard Schober, MAC’s long-time Slam master and poet, will preside over the action. A veteran Slam competitor at state, regional and national levels, he performs as “The Klute.” He selected the 12 competitors for the March event.

MAC Slams feature a prelude segment of Art-on-the-Spot to celebrate a sister art form. For this event Shelley Gillespie, executive director of Copa Shorts Film Fest, will explore their fifth season, devoted to comedy, beginning at 5:45 p.m. A previous Copa Shorts winning film will be screened.

IF YOU STAY
What: The All-Arizona Grand Slam!
When: 5:45 p.m. March 6
Where: Facebook Live, fb.me/e/3rT9OueVz