Poetry Slams and Spoken Word Artists in New York

MAITLAND, Fla. - Aug. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- To view yet another side of New York, the amazing multi faceted city, visit a poetry slam or spoken word artists’ performance. These events are a way to hear some of the most daring, cutting edge literary innovation going on in America. The majority takes place after dark and are usually held in cafes or bars. There is normally a small cover or a minimum charge for food or drinks. Energy levels can get very high, especially if a famous author is present or audience members are formally comparing and judging the works they hear. Whether or not you know much about literature, you will enjoy soaking up the unique atmosphere at one of these performances.

Nuyorican Poets Café

One of the best places to hear New York’s poets read, shout or whisper their work is the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café, site of the city’s first ever poetry slam back in 1989. It’s still a thriving hotbed of poetic sounds and experiments with language. The slam held every Wednesday night is very democratic – the first 20 poets to sign in that evening are the ones who will take to the stage. Top rated individual poets and teams from the Wednesday slam are invited back for a Friday night face off. There is also a special Youth Slam League for budding bards under twenty years old.

Spoken Word Artists

Spoken word artists use language (most often English or Spanish, if you’re looking at NYC) in new and inventive forms, combining it with elements of comedy, theater and / or dance comedy to create an entire performance piece. The Starving Artist Cafe & Gallery focuses mainly on music, but on the last of every month it holds an open mic night. The usual singers and musicians are joined by poets, comedians and prose writers, resulting in a multi media expression, in front of a very attentive audience. Penny's Open Mic is known for the unrestrained performances, where wordsmiths are often accompanied by the house musicians.

If You Are a Writer

If you are a writer yourself, you might want to plan to take part in one of these electric events. Choose some of your work – the more spirited the better.  Then prepare to go head to head with some of the most exciting new authors around. Poetry can also be a novel souvenir or your visit to New York. When you like some verses that you hear, ask their creator if you can have a copy. (Offering a donation would be recommended.) Or find a few quiet moments during your trip to sit and write your own poems to capture fleeting thoughts and feelings about your time in New York.

 

New York has so much to see and do that you’ll appreciate staying in a comfortable hotel with easy access to everything. The nicer New York hotels tend to fill up fast, though, so it’s a good idea to reserve in advance (http://crshotels.com/).