an honest poem- litteraly | Toronto Poetry Slam

16 posts / 0 new

Fri, 2008-05-09 02:57

Offline

Joined: 2008-05-03

an honest poem- litteraly

life would be a hell of alot easier if we were all just honest for example if im feeling, your feeling hes feeling something then why not say it
i mean it would be easy if it didnt lead to the he said she said
to the offended and deffensive
so for example if i wanted to say that i thought Toronto poetry slam was cliquish
Could I?

but see with a venue to reflect its new found ways i would have to now in all honesty say that
Toronto poetry slam has found its soul mate
with cliche artist out to play the drake seems like a nice break from reality

and its almost more predictable than R.D.'s crazy rants who will place highest, first at the top , or number one
but then again the best poet never wins

and with a lottery draw of 300, hitting the tps stage is almost as hard as frying an egg on snow
but what do i know
i mean i am a slam virgin after all

Fri, 2008-05-09 10:42

Admin

Offline

Joined: 2010-10-06

[restrains urge to correct spelling]

[...]

[fails]

"literally"

[sorry]

Fri, 2008-05-09 10:43

the green star

Offline

Joined: 2006-09-25

oh really...

I'll be honest: I have a love/hate relationship with Slam in general, but I'm dealing with it like my REAL relationship; one issue at a time and giving up is not an option

yes TPS has grown cliquish, there are some of us aware of it and working on expanding our horizons and ensuring new peeps feel welcome, it is only 2.5 years old and we're learning like little baby seals that the "club" is not our friend...
the Drake is "hip"... I won't deny that I feel uncomfortable at times just getting through the door...
and yes it does seem fairly predictable as well what with the team being 80% the same as last year, but come out and challenge it, break the rusty confines that we are painting Toronto Slam Poets into and show us your teeth while you do...
oh yeah you have the draw to get through.... well i guess it's like life: not meant to be easy, meant to be tested, best when injected with passion and persistence.

so come on there "Slam Virgin"... it's easy to critique, tougher to stand up and speak...

I'm hoping you'll find us in the other venues and give us a chance, we're just a bunch of clumsy left-footers, doing the neutron dance.

Fri, 2008-05-09 10:53

Admin

Offline

Joined: 2010-10-06

Quote:

so for example if i wanted to say that i thought Toronto poetry slam was cliquish
Could I?

You could even say it without line breaks.

But when you say it, what do you mean? "Stop being cliquish" isn't something easily acted on. I'm not challenging you, I'm genuinely interested.

(And a note regarding how hard it is to get on the stage: this is, sadly, part of being a relatively popular event. The coming season - ie. the period in which people can qualify for the semifinals - will be longer than the last one, which is intended in part to lighten the load on the sign-up list, since people trying for the semis won't be as desparate to sign up every month. There will be a couple of such changes to the rules for the season starting in July - they will be posted on the site before then.)

Fri, 2008-05-09 11:17

thatgirlwithastory

Offline

Joined: 2008-05-03

i dont mean stop being cliquish, i mean thats a hard thing to do, but alot of people in the scene need to take a step back and see that it does look that way and i know one to many poets who have wanted to hit your stage but have felt intimidated by the "cliquey" look of this scene, there is very much a feeling of groups in what is suposed to be one big fam. there are a lot of politics to tps, as there are anything, how ever, the people running the show need to see that people "slam virgins" feel somewhat un welcome.

Fri, 2008-05-09 12:59

thatgirlwithastory

Offline

Joined: 2008-05-03

although the cliqueyness would be nice if it stoped

Fri, 2008-05-09 14:40

Duffman

Offline

Joined: 2008-02-17

TPS ??? Cliqueish? REALLY?

IMHO... I find it to be far from it. Sure... poets sit with their poet friends. But I found them to be EXTREMELY approachable. In passing I asked Electric Jon about his performance of "Your boss is a ??mutanting reptile???" and he stopped to talk to me about it for a couple minutes. As a matter of fact I found them to be extremely encouraging and supportive of "slam virgins". There was only one slam virgin at the (1) TPS event I've made it to so far, and they were very supportive and encouraging to him. Probably even more since he drew the dreaded first slot.

Even the 4 friends I brought with me, who are NOT poets by a long shot and have NO desire to perform, felt it was a very laid back and casual atmosphere. We were all encouraged to shed our "polite Canadian" personalities and got right into the cheering of poets and booing of low scores. Each and every one of them said they would back in an instant because it was so easy to be yourself and hours of cheap entertainment for a mere $5 cover.

There is an element of cliqueness in every group. The balance is that more tenuous when the group wants to be close knit like a family but open and accepting to new people who share something in common with them. I really think that TPS does a surprisingly great job at finding a happy medium.

Of course, "they" should never sit on their laurels. Rather, they should be vigilant to always seek that perfect equilibrium.

Finally, this is the humble opinion of a man who's been to only 1 slam (TPS). Take it or leave it.

Fri, 2008-05-09 17:36

BigDeal

Offline

Joined: 2006-11-10

Interesting the idea of clique-ness has been brought up because that's always something on my mind as host. I want to make everyone feel welcome and have as many newbies as possible but logistics sometimes impairs that. Also, the beautiful thing about the Slam is that poets have become tight, a family practically, and that's bound to show in our inside jokes and comraderie on the slam nights. Granted, I don't think that should turn off people but hopefully encourage them and make them realize Toronto isn't full of cold people who just go about their artistic business and bugger off.

Many slam virgins start like yourself, girl...A little wary, perhaps daunted by the closeness of the scene. But if they truly want to be part of something bigger than themselves, and are willing to shed their shyness, they can take that step and hit up the stage and talk to us after or send one of us an email. And we might take that first step forward too.

And Duffman, glad to hear you're first TPS was an enjoyable experience. Would love to meet you facetoface at the next one, May 25. Don't be a stranger!

Fri, 2008-05-09 20:05

Tripp

Offline

Joined: 2007-02-14

I'm taking sign language at gorge brown in september so coooooincidentally i'll have more time for the poetry readings.

Sat, 2008-05-10 01:18

#10

Admin

Offline

Joined: 2010-10-06

Quote:

but alot of people in the scene need to take a step back and see that it does look that way

OK, let's do that. How does this manifest? What do people do (or not do) to make it look that way?

I ask because I know creating a welcoming atmosphere is an explicit concern for a lot of us and if there's some unseen barrier to that, it would be good to consider.

Quote:

and i know one to many poets who have wanted to hit your stage but have felt intimidated by the "cliquey" look of this scene,

I've found that the best cure for stage fright is getting up on stage.

Jes sayin'.

Sat, 2008-05-10 01:56

#11

faith

Offline

Joined: 2007-04-15

an honest opinion- dont judge a book by its cover.. or first few pages, the things you may find in the middle will surprise you.

Sat, 2008-05-10 08:19

#12

likealion

Offline

Joined: 2007-11-22

I have to add my two cents here. The scene feel clique-ish at first, it does. But I've found everyone to be very open and welcoming. Coming out to a TPS event and wanting to slam created nervousness and seeing these poets go up there and just do it with passion automatically sets a boundary that is invisible at best. I used to come out and say to myself "I wish I could do it like that" and it immediately makes the poets (i.e. all of us) less approachable. Last March was my very first slam, I didn't know anybody really, but I just went, trembled on stage, had tremors in my voice and did the damn thing. I even got a 5 point deduction for time.

What I'm trying to say is, you'll never know how accepting the "groups" are until you actually step forward and take the discomfort head-on; embrace it. Poets in the scene wil see your vulnerability and, as long as you're open to it, will give you some of the most honest, developmental feedback you'll ever get.

the green star wrote:

.. it's easy to critique, tougher to stand up and speak...

i agree......

let's hear your story in all of it's poetic glory, girlwithastory

Sun, 2008-05-11 09:44

#13

rpriske

Offline

Joined: 2007-10-05

Another perspective...

The Ottawa Slam scene also seems cliquish...

...and then last year we sent five new people to Halifax.

...and this year we will send 2-3 (likely 3) new people to Calgary.

We are cliquish, but the people within the clique are constantly changing as people join our circle.

So then, what is cliquish after all?

I can't speak for Toronto, but to me, it is all what you make it.

Sun, 2008-05-11 11:38

#14

faith

Offline

Joined: 2007-04-15

i went to the ottawa slam and it didnt seem cliquish at all, actually it was one of my faveourite poetry experiences. i cant wait to come back.

Mon, 2008-05-12 10:46

#15

rpriske

Offline

Joined: 2007-10-05

I guess that is what I am getting at... it can appear cliquish to someone who isn't receptive to us allowing you to join in...if that makes any sense. If you are open to what we are bringing, we welcome you with open arms.

I LOVE our scene. Even that judge who gave me a 6.0 at the semi-finals.

(All right, maybe I don't love that judge, but I'm working it out...)

Wed, 2008-05-21 13:15

#16

gypsy

Offline

Joined: 2007-06-30

Okay as usual late to the party...

Read the full thread and the part that I saw right away was White Noise's question:

"OK, let's do that. How does this manifest? What do people do (or not do) to make it look that way?"

the biggest way this manifests is when a poet is eliminated and they and their 1-20 friends leave the venue.
Before you get all "it's the nature of the beast", or "it's their 1st time and their friends wanna get drinks (that aren't $8)", or "I'm mad the judges didn't like my poem". Yes you are right but if you wanna over come the cliqueishness stay hangout and {gasp} try and start a conversation with a poet/host/volunteer/audience member you didn't know. It's the only way the circle grows.

BTW the above about leaving is kinda understandable with new comers, but downright inexcusable for regulars.

Toronto Poetry Slam

Comment viewing options