(Scores are here) - Mike

It was a night of brilliant talent befitting the two-year anniversary of Toronto Poetry Slam. Cervejaria was packed so intensely, the divider doors had to be opened so the other room could be used. Twelve poets in the first round, and I counted half as newbies to the stage. There were the vets, the White Noise Machine, Kate Leadbeater, Truth, Jogi, Ariel, R.D. And there were the rooks, who held their own impressively: Wade, Kate M., Dave P.

Round two kept some of the core events, including White Noise Machine, who deftly made the third round with a performative piece in the first round (Advertising), and a written poem anchoring him to the page in the second. But it was Jogi’s powerful performances that turned him to a highlight of the night. He must’ve been in the zone like never before, because the crowd reacted so feverishly like never before. Congrats to the Jogester for making third round.

Kate L. and Ariel are both masters of zipping from funny to serious within a stanza, and taking us along for rides in their somewhat-fractured lives. Kate displayed some nice range with pieces that spanned from I-love-him to I’ve-grown-up-too-quick. And is it me, or does Ariel have fire in the belly, hungry to make the slam team this year?

The two-year anniversary wouldn’t be complete with a rousing birthday song initiated by R.D. (taking up time in his poem, no less). Also, every good TPS needs an even greater feature, and Vancouver’s The Fugitives didn’t disappoint. They carried us through their debut album’s standout songs, and I don’t think those 160 people in Cervejaria will ever forget the words: “Right now!”

Another special moment of the night was the arrival of the celebrity judge, Raine Maida. Former frontman of Our Lady Peace, supporter of charities like War Child, married to Chantal Kreviatzcouldyouspellituk. Coming straight from the airport, Raine joined the slam by the middle of the first round, and I’ve never seen a dude’s jaw drop so hard while watching the Fugitives. Well, except mine, of course. And Raine was so impressed with the Fugees (and the slam, he admitted), he asked Mark Berube to play accordion at his Mod Club show two nights later. Rest assured, a bunch of us went to the gig, had a rockin time, and met Canada’s most well-known rock n’ roll relationship. Chantal and Raine…who would’ve thought they’d be linked to Toronto Poetry Slam?

Oh, you want to know who won? Oh reader, the points are not the point, the poetry is the point. But you’ve slogged through a long paragraph on Raine Maida, so here’s the payoff: and the winner of the November TPS was…WHITE NOISE MACHINE! Let’s all pat his back and offer encouraging words. And some of you strategists out there are likely thinking the WNM’s win is a good thing for the overall standings. Think about it.

Two years have passed, and I got too many people to thank in this last ‘graph. Instead, let me offer a bearhug-sized thanks to anyone who attended the slam, volunteered at the slam, judged at a slam, wrote about the slam, slammed, or showed love for the slam. Without you, it wouldn’t be what it is.

See ya Dec. 16.

This entry was posted by Dave under Slam roundups.