Every year, TPS puts on the Anything Goes show where competitors are encouraged to break the rules. And break them they did.

In the first round alone, we heard a poem entirely in French courtesy of Jocelyn; Dust n’ Mumbles rocked the mic for the first team piece of many; That Brown Bastard covered Fernando Raguero with a piece about anal fissures; That White Bastard followed with a satirical piece/ode to That Brown Bastard’s I’m So Brown poem; and Krystle challenged three poets from the crowd — Valentino, TBB, Amy David — to come up with poems on the spot using three words shouted from the audience: apple, vodka, cunnilingus.

Let’s just say her 5:10 chaotic masterpiece was welllll worth it.

The aforementioned Amy David wowed the judges in the first round, netting her a 29 with an hilarious piece about banning hetero marriage. The Chicago slam poet complemented her poem with a great bridesmaid dress.

Also, Made Wade impressed the judges and crowd. In the first round, with the help of beatboxer Scott Jackson, he netted a 29.4, instantly vaulting him into the 2nd round.

Before the wild competition resumed, we got a whallop of comedy thanks to comedy troupe The Imponderables. The four-person troupe had the audience gaspin with laughter during their skits and pre-made videos. Yes, they simulated sexual positions on stage. Yes, they screened a trailer called The Waldo Ultimatum. And yes, none of us will forget the phrase “mini pants” for a long long time.

The second round gave us a smattering of team pieces from Dust, and Wade once against dropped his genie poem with some beatboxin love to add some hiphop heft. Newcomer Darya was passionate on stage with every verse, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next time.

Amy David got a tad swazzled through the night, as she admitted on stage, but still rocked it hard enough to make it to the third round. Her poems hit the mark, and got serious laughs from the crowd. But it was Made Wade’s “bus fare” poem that took top prize in the third, earning him $80 and wild applause.

Once again, the poets came through with some imaginative creativity and challenged themselves and the audience. What will happen next year? Animal acts? Improv juggling? Guest appearance by Joey from Degrassi?

The next slam is on a Sunday night, June 21, featuring 6 is 9 from St. Paul. Also, be sure to check out the amazingly awesome Rustbelt Poetry Slam going down May 28 to 31 at various venues. For info go to www.rustbelttoronto.com

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