A verbal throwdown to determine who’ll compete at the National Poetry Slam.

When you hear the word “throwdown,” poetry isn’t generally what comes to mind.  But at Seattle Poetry Slam’s Annual Grand Slam, slam poets from all over Seattle will be using their words as fists in a battle to determine who will make the four-member team to represent our city at the National Poetry Slam this summer in Charlotte, NC.

In a slam poetry competition, poets are judged based on the content of their work, their originality and their performance.  Audience members are selected at random to decide the winners, though other members of the audience are encouraged to influence the judges with boo’s and applause.

Seattle Poetry Slam is Seattle’s longest-operating weekly show and has been running since 1992.  You can see the poets in-action every Tuesday night at Re-bar in Downtown Seattle.

Who:  This year’s featured poet is Airea “Dee” Matthews.  As a former Detroit Grand Slam Champion and a two-time Women of the World Poetry Slam finalist, Dee is a performer Seattleites won’t want to miss.

When: Friday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. 

Where: The Annual Grand Slam will take place at Town Hall. (1119 8th Avenue, Seattle)

How Much:  $15 General Admission and $10 for Youth (Under 21). Click here for tickets.