The latest installment of the Guelph Poetry Slam, a spoken-word poetry competition, took place at the ebar on Saturday night. Each competitor is given a shot, or two, at convincing the judges their spoken-word poetry is the best of the night. Much of the energy at a SLAM is generated by the interactive poet-audience exchanges which can include booing, jousting, cheering, and pleading form both sides.  In the case of the Guelph poetry slams, the competitors are fighting for a $100 first prize.

SPIN el poeta. Photo courtesy.

Event organizer and spoken-word poet Matthew Dryden thinks the Guelph events are good for bringing both people out to slam and also for bringing individuals out of themselves.

“I found that when I first started doing spoken word I was very nervous and very drawn into myself,” said Dryden. “Through doing spoken-word I found that it opened me up to new ideas, new people and having more confidence in myself and giving myself enough credit to believe in my art.”

Dryden, who is also involved with the Guelph Youth SLAM and the Blue Works Erotica events, believes that the Guelph events are well attended because they are a safe and welcoming environment for people of all ages, races, genders and lifestyles to come together and exchange spoken-word poems.

The mix of people interested in spoken-word poetry is also finely showcased in the featured spoken-word poets at the monthly events. Saturday night’s featured slam-poet SPIN is a veteran of the scene, currently living in Toronto. SPIN came to Canada from Guatemala as a political refugee and feels that his past experiences in life not only motivate his poetry but also inspire him to live his lyrics. After a solid start in the slam scene in 2004, Spin took some time to live out his lyrics.

“I went back into what I was saying whether it was police brutality, global oppression, racism, or what not,” said SPIN when speaking about sharing his poetic messages at gatherings ranging from political events in El Salvador, to schools in marginalized regions of Toronto. “Slam really just breaks all rules and pushes artists to the limit. I’m very happy to see it going and I think it needs to continue growing,” said SPIN.

And growing it is. From its humble beginning in Nov. 2008, the Guelph Poetry Slam has exploded in size and diversity to the point of including a youth division.

“These events are a rare opportunity for Guelph poets to present their work,’ said long time poet Michael Kleiza. The 60 year-old Guelph poet was pleased with the event’s success and feels they help fill a small hole in an otherwise thriving Guelph arts scene.