2014 Seattle Poetry Slam Grand Slam

Seattle has some of the best, if not the best, poetry/spoken word in the country. The Grand Slam brings together the best of the best to compete for spots on the national slam team. It's always an amazing show. If you're a newbie you might even get picked to be a judge! If folks want to discuss the show afterward, we can go out for food or drinks.

Seattle Poetry Slam Presents its Annual Grand Slam: the verbal throwdown to determine who will qualify for the four-member team of performance poets to represent Seattle at the National Poetry Slam in Oakland, CA this August. The event will feature a performance by Portland poet Stephen Meads along with a showcase of some of the best performers who have graced the stage at our weekly show.

A Poetry Slam is a performance poetry competition invented in the 80s by a Chicago construction worker named Marc Smith. Poets are judged on content, originality and performance by randomly selected audience members. Audience members are encouraged to try to influence the judges through their applause or boos. The result is raucous, inspirational, and moving.The Seattle Poetry Slam has been operating since 1992 and is Seattle's longest running weekly show. Currently it operates every Tuesday night at Re-bar in Downtown Seattle.

For more on the slam: http://seattlepoetryslam.org/
For tickets, $15.00 ($16.52 w/service fee): http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/594313

Doors open at 6:30. Showtime is 7pm.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door with cash.

Getting there:

Town Hall is conveniently located at Eighth Avenue and Seneca Street. Town Hall’s location offers easy access to and from the I-5 freeway. There is a large pay lot immediately adjacent to Town Hall; enter the parking lot from Seventh Avenue, or Spring or Seneca streets. This lot is operated by Diamond Parking and is not affiliated with Town Hall. The rates are the same every day,$4 first hour, and then $3 each additional hour. Evening rates after 5pm are $7. Taxes not included.

The Washington State Convention Center Main Garage is located two blocks north of Town Hall on Eighth Avenue. This garage is available daytime ($8 all day) and evenings ($4 after 5 pm) with a special voucher you can get from Town Hall. Just ask a Town Hall staff member for a voucher while you are here attending an event, and you’ll receive the discount when you leave the garage. Please note: Vouchers are available for use only while attending events at Town Hall.

Additionally, several commercial parking lots are located within 1.5 blocks of Town Hall’s front door. Landmarks are: Washington State Convention Center, two blocks north; Freeway Park, just to the northwest; I-5 freeway, 1.5 blocks west, Virginia Mason Medical Center, one block east; and First Presbyterian Church, one block south.

By Bus

Town Hall is served by Metro bus lines 2 and 13, which stop directly in front of the building at Seneca, and line 12, which stops 1.5 blocks south on Madison at Eighth. Line 2 serves Madrona, south Capitol Hill, and Queen Anne. Line 13 goes to West Queen Anne. Line 12 runs from Capitol Hill to downtown. For more information on bus schedules and nearby routes, visit http://metro.kingcounty.gov/

Driving from the South

Take I-5 north to the Madison Street exit downtown. After exiting, continue north (Seventh Avenue). Go past Madison Street one block to Spring Street. At this point, you may enter the commercial parking lot adjacent to Town Hall. Town Hall is on Eighth Avenue at Seneca Street. Seneca Street is two blocks north of Madison Street.

Driving from the North

Take I-5 to the James Street Exit. Take the first left after exiting (Cherry Street). Stay in the right-hand lane and continue to the next traffic light (Seventh Avenue); turn left and continue north past Madison Street one block to Spring Street. Town Hall is at Eighth Avenue between Spring and Seneca streets.

Driving from the Eastside

Take I-90 or 520 to I-5 and follow above directions.