All you procrastinators just got a second chance. The 2012 Poetry Council of NC Poetry Day Poetry Slam to be held and judged live at the Catawba Valley Community College Student Center on April 14 as part of Poetry Day has been opened for late registration. How late? As late as 10:00 the day of the competition. Poetry Day begins with registration at 9:20, and at 10:00 this year’s issue of Bay Leaves will be dedicated and introduced. That will be followed by awards and readings in the Charles Shull Traditional Poetry Contest, the Charlotte Young Elementary School Student Contest, and the Gladys Owings Hughes Heritage Contest.
Then, at 11:00, the Slam will begin. Just to clarify, this is original poetry, up to two minutes each. The performances will be judged by Emmy Award winning coach of Slam Charlotte, Boris Rogers, also known as Bluz. First, second, and third place winners will be recognized and receive awards of $35, $25, and $15 respectively. The entry fee is just $5, and poems must be approved (we have a multi-aged audience) by contest manager, Shane Manier, before reading.
Winners will be announced after lunch and followed by readings from the winners in the Ellen Johnston-Hale Light Verse Contest, the Carol Bessent Young Middle School Student Contest, the James Larkin Pearson Free Verse Contest, the Sam Ragan High School Student Contest, and the Oscar Arnold Young Book Contest.
At last check, there were 7 entries for the Slam, including last year’s winner, Bob Moyer, of Winston-Salem; Poetry Hickory regulars, Julian Phelps and Tony Rankine; and Poetry Lincolnton regular, Morgan DePue. There is still room for you. If you’re interested, contact Shane Manier at deepfrostx@yahoo.com or Scott Owens at asowens1@yahoo.com, or just bring your poem and entry fee to the CVCC Student Center by 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 14.
