(Scores are here. - Mike)

Later this month, CBC is debuting a new reality series called The Week the Women Went (guys taking care of kids and cooking? Oh the hilarity!). Toronto Poetry Slam could have produced a knock-off at January’s show called The Night the Women Dominated. Undoubtedly, the female slammers on Saturday night were strong and on point, powering through the second round and making the final round an all-estrogen affair.

Because January was the Story Slam, the audience of 180 people lapped up tales by Electric Jon (on casino hijinx), Tomy Bewick (on sneaky sales tactics), Ariel (on unexpected violence), and Krystle (on ten-cow wives). By the third round, Lara, Truth, Amanda and Arianna (a tie for third) gave us a medley of powerful poems, ranging from Amanda’s Melvin piece to Truth’s pen tale; but when the dust settled, Arianna took top spot, winning $80, two tickets to RAIN and a bye into March’s semi-finals.

Much love n’ respect to our guest features that night, San Jose’s Mike McGee and Chicago’s Robbie Q. Last year, they came to town at the same time but the audience didn’t get any repeats. These slam champs brought the heavy with beautiful emotional pieces while also spicing up the sets with more light-hearted poems. What was even more inspiring was hanging with Mike and Robbie after the gig at Shanghai Cowgirl, where we bought Mike drinks for his bday and talked about how frickin kick-ass an international poetry tour must be.

So that means there’s only one more slam in the Season in order for poets to qualify. February should be a nutty month of energy and intensity, so make sure you hit up the Drake on Feb. 16 to witness poetry in motion. Until then!

This entry was posted by Dave under Slam roundups.