What's up, party people! Welcome to the official, website for the 10th Annual West Coast Championship Poetry Slam! Happening July 21-22, 2007 from 12-6pm both days at the Henry Miller Library in one of the most heavenly spots on the face of this planet. I'm talking about beautiful Big Sur, California!
Imagine this: you're there in the audience enjoying the beauty of Big Sur with your friends, or loved ones, when suddenly the battle for your hearts, and minds is laid out before your eyes in a dreamy landscape ("Alice and Wonderland" anyone?) by teams of stunning Poets from all over the West.
They come for this noble purpose, to give you life as seen by their senses. In addition to walking away with one of four top titles, winning teams will also split a purse totaling $2000! Your love, some glory, and a bit of the green, are what these Poets are going for!
It's all happening on Highway 1, about 26 miles south of Carmel and Monterey, the towns whereLangston Hughes wrote some of his most poignant work, and John Steinbeck wrote his delicious novel, "Cannery Row".
The host of the 10th Annual West Coast Championship Slam is Poet, Playwright, and radio host, Jerry Quickley. He returns to us from the studios of KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, where he hosts BENEATH THE SURFACE, 5-6pm Wednesday through Friday. Jerry lands somewhere between The Daily Show and Democracy Now as he probes our society, culture, and world with wild humor, and stimulating observations.
Not to mention all the exciting, and interesting guests he has on the show. He is also a three time Los Angeles Poetry Grand Slam winner, and a multiple National Poetry Slam finalist. He has been featured, and his work has been published, in several anthologies, magazines, and newspapers including Time Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, SP Mag, Beyond the VCP, LA Weekly, Associated Press, and several others.
Jerry has performed his poetry on the LifeTime Cable Network, CNN, and written for NFL Films. He has also curated poetry and hip hop shows for a number of institutions including the Theater De Klange Dusseldorf, The Carmel Performing Arts Festival, Bordeaux Cultural Affairs, Munich Landsberg Festival, West Hollywood Book Festival, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, The Mark Taper Forum, and several companies in the private sector.
He returns to Big Sur, for the fifth year in a row, to guide Poets, judges, and audience alike through two days of hardcore wordsmith-ing. Loved, and respected by many in Spoken Word, and the entertainment industry, we're thrilled to have him back for another exceptional weekend. Expect a wild ride when Mr. Quickley is at the wheel!
I'm also thrilled to announce that our all-time favorite Master of the wheels of steel, that Turntablist supreme, DJ Jedi will be returning to rock the house like only he can! He is a Jedi Knight of the Highest Turntablist Order, and he's back to tease and please us with his mad cool sounds, and to turn Big Sur on it's ear trying to hear all his chocolatey goodness. Willy Wonka, eat your heart out!
In case you're wondering, Jedi has toured with Digable Planets (2005), among others, and is a well respected, and loved, member of the Los Angeles music, and Spoken Word, scene. Catch up with him at MySpace.com, and show him some love, will you. Here's the links:
On this site you'll find information about the Rules of the Road, and an online entry form where you can register your team to compete. You'll find some helpful links here to other websites, and information on the area. Click here if you're interested in buying tickets, or want to pay the Team Registration Fee online. If you prefer to buy your tickets, or pay your team fee, over the phone, the digits to dial are as follows: 1-877-548-3237, and you can speak to a live operator. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact us at info[at]westcoastslam.com.
The West Coast Championship Poetry Slam needs your support to continue. Please visit our Sponsorship page for more information on how you can sponsor this great annual event.
Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam & Open Mic Every Wednesday @ 8pm -------------------------------------- East Village Coffee Lounge 498 Washington Street, Monterey (View Map)
Come join us for the Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam every Wednesday night at East Village Coffee Lounge!
