Relax, I was only a spectator.
Last night I went to an album launch and poetry slam called 3, 2, 1 THROW! organized by the THROW Slam Poetry Collective in Montreal. I didn’t really know what to expect from a poetry slam. It was at a pub/bar/restaurant called Casa Del Popolo north of Mount-Royal on St. Laurent.
I rarely go to anything by myself, but I went to the slam alone. I recognized one person from the Facebook invite; she had been the one that told me about the event at a party a couple of weeks back. I sat at the bar with a beer and chatted up strangers as they came up for beer or water. I found the people there to be very friendly and outgoing.
Before the slam started, a band called Instant Release from Ottawa was playing. I chatted up the bassist at the bar between sets. I didn’t hear too much of them at the beginning, but when they came on for their second set, everyone was really digging their music.
Then the slam. Two rounds of poets singing/talking/doing whatever to their poetry on stage to a silent audience (besides the occasional laughter for the funnier poems). Volunteers from the audience were judges. Through a small series of events, I ended up being a judge for the second round!
If you haven’t been to a slam, you should go. Even if you don’t think you like poetry, or if you’re still not sure what a slam is.. just go. It was definitely the highlight of my weekend.
Poster for the album release and poetry slam.
Check out their Facebook group for upcoming events.
Tags: poetry