[Standings have been posted. - yer web guy]

“Poetry is taking life by the throat.” Robert Frost’s quote could’ve been the motto for the January slam at the Drake Hotel, where performance poets taught the 145-strong audience the raw truths of humanity: Amanda hypnotized the room with a powerful piece on grief; Krystle made us remember what it was like to be a kid again; Tomy gave us his heart and soul in a poem about his lost cousin; and Mystic gave us a rare glimpse into freestyle gypsy truth-speak.

In one of the best third round bouts I’ve witnessed in awhile, Mike Smith laid down the a humour-tinged call-to-arms piece about a political party filled with apathy. Boona cracked up the crowd — even the suited folks — with a punchline poem that should be put out as a single EP, no doubt. And Amanda once again kept it real by telling us about her mother, accent and all.

Praise be Jebus, there was a tie for first! Mike Smith and Boonaa shared the $75 booty, and now earn a spot in the semi-finals in the spring. Congrats to both of those kick-ass poets, and to all who came and saw.

And you know who truly conquered? The rad features from the U.S., Mike McGee of San Jose and Robbie Q of Chicago. They rocked our faces off with poems about pudding, love, bad car commercials, Russian literature and “dino dudes.” Undoubtedly, they were one of the top spoken word features this city has ever seen, and if you missed them at the slam, check them online. You won’t regret it.

See you February 10.

This entry was posted by Dave under Slam roundups.