every Wednesday night at 8 * open mic, featured poet, poetry slam * 738 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass.
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The Cantab Lounge: Latest News
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wow: a jam-packed open mic and a fiesty, funny, rapid-fire feature from Phil West made for an intense Wednesday night for all! Thanks especially to all those who shared their memories and poems for Shannon Leigh... Again, contributions are still being gratefully accepted: see the link to the right. The slam was won by Steve Subrizi, edging out Cassandra in the final round.
Next week: LouderARTS' Marty McConnell, plus another slam in the 8x8 series. Tell your friends... This is a feature not to be missed.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
With a heavy heart, the Boston Poetry Slam passes on sad news on to you, our slam community: Austin/Atlanta poet Shannon Leigh passed away Monday after more than two weeks of battling injuries sustained in a cave diving accident.
We all extend our sympathy and condolences to Shannon's family and friends, as well as to the slam communities of Austin and Atlanta. Given the outpouring of support for this amazing young woman, it is perhaps redundant to say that Shannon was a bright spot in the slam world, a talented and strong-willed individual, one with a devilish sense of humor and an honest and dazzling respect for the word... But all these things are worth reiterating. You will be sorely missed, Shanon.
Folks interested in contributing to help offset medical bills are encouraged to do so at getwellshannon.com.
Austin poet Phil West will feature at the Cantab tonight. Your memories or poems for Shannon will be more than welcome on our open mic.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Last night's fine feature came through with everything we'd expected: Alex Charalambides was humorous, insightful, and, of course, a consummate performer. The seven-person slam came down to a face-off between Worcester team member Trevor Byrne-Smith and Manchester team member McKendy: McKendy walked away with the big ten bucks, which we figure is about half the gas money he'll need to get back to New Hampshire.
Next week: special treat! Phil West, longtime slammer and bigtime organizer, treks all the way from Austin for just this one show! This might be your only New England chance to see Phil, so don't miss it. After the feature we'll have another slam in the 8x8 series...But first: don't forget our show at the Harpoon Brewery!
Friday, June 27
Poetry and Beer at the Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Ave., Boston
doors at 5:30, show 6:00-8:00
featuring the 2008 Cantab Slam Team: Harlym125, Simone Beaubien, Omoizele Okoawo, April Ranger, Brian S. Ellis
and free sample-size beers from the Harpoon Brewery
$5 cover charge, 21+ with ID to partake
Cantab regulars, friends, and members of our mailing list are invited to join us
It's also worth noting that we'll be releasing our CD and chapbook on this night! Bring a few bucks and help support your 2008 Cantab team fundraise for their trip to NPS 2008 in Madison!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Wow, what a totally packed night at the Cantab! Huge thanks to everyone who came out, especially the many out-of-town poets and our special guest host, Bill MacMillan. When the dust cleared after the 4x4 team slam, it was Cantab over Worcester over Boston Youth over Lowell. How fantastic to share a stage with these amazing performers!
Next Wednesday: Alex Charalambides, poet of Providence, Worcester, and Cambridge, will finally return to the Cantab for a feature. Plus, don't forget our Friday Poetry and Beer show (see the text to the right) at the Harpoon Brewery.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
There's just never enough time on the open mic for all the Sue Savoy we wish we could have... Fortunately, we talked her into doing a full feature this week! As expected, she put together a great show: poem after perceptive poem, all with the trademark deadpan Sue delivery. The night's poetry slam was a hot one, too: it came down to James Lindsay and Carrie Rudzinsky in the final round, with James coming out on top by just 0.3.
Next week: big doin's! Our usual open mic, of course, followed by a 4x4 team slam featuring Worcester, Mill City, the first-ever Boston Youth Team, and the home favorites, your 2008 Cantab Slam Team! Come on out to support and heckle.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Eight wheels! As expected, Cara Losier's feature last night was a total blast... And, with lots of Manchester in the house, the 603 love was extra-strong. The slam was won by Adam Stone, taking out first-time-slammer Michael Quigg in the final round.
In additional venue news... Adam has announced his intention to slam with the Worcester Slam Team, leaving the Cantab's alternate spot vacant. Congrats to Brian S. Ellis, who gets the call-up and will attend the National Poetry Slam with the team!
Next week: local favorite Sue Savoy releases her chapbook, and another open slam in the 8x8 series.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
We've been waiting almost a year to get Eamon Mahoney to feature at the Cantab... But he finally came through, and in a big way. It was great to hear this long-time youth champion slammer in a full feature of his complex, mature work. The 8x8 slam was won by 2008 Lizard Lounge Slam Team member Anaiis, just over a much-missed James Lindsay.
Come see us next week for our first feature imported from the Manchester slam: Cara "Rollergirl" Losier! Plus, an open slam in the 8x8 series.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Something of a sad night at the Cantab: we bade farewell to a number of regulars, some for the summer and others for even longer. Sharyn Wolfenbarger continues to break our hearts with her leaving... But we forgave her, since she consented to do a fabulous spotlight feature during the open.
In spite of the unfortunate absence of our scheduled feature, Jason Carney, we still had a hot show on our hands: Omoizele Okoawo and Brian S. Ellis went seven rounds in the Champion of Champions head-to-head match! Even with a time penalty and some tricky strategery by Oz, Brian successfully defended his title, taking the win by just a few tenths in the final round.
Next week: understated Def Poet Eamon Mahoney makes a rare journey up from Providence. You don't want to miss this one... Plus, open slams in the 8x8 series start up again.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Another packed open mic last night, filled with regulars, first-timers, and plenty of folks celebrating the end of college finals. Don't forget that we're here year-round, guys! Our feature was Logan Phillips, who brought a little southwest flavor to our northeastern bar. The season championship slam was won by Omoizele Okoawo over Adam Stone.
Next week: a spotlight feature on the open by the not-long-for-this-coast Sharyn Wolfenbarger! Plus, Texan slam legend Jason Carney features, then Oz and reigning champ Brian S. Ellis slam off for the Champion of Champions title.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Some of our features come early to listen to the opec mic... But last week, the Jeff Robinson Trio was our exceptional feature during the open. As always, they backed our marathon open mic with sensitivity, flexibility, and brilliance! It'll be another year before they're back at the Cantab, but, if you liked what you heard, don't forget that you can catch them every Sunday at the Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam.
The first of the double-header semi-final slams was won handily by Omoizele Okoawo, who swept Sam Teitel and Artie Moffa in the minimum three rounds. The second semi-final exposed a strange caveat in our three-loss-knockout format, but, in the end, we ousted Charley Pope, gave the $25 and the win to Sean Conlon, and invited Adam Stone back to slam next week against Omoizele (since Sean and Charley will both be out of town).
Next week: border-breaking bilingual poet Logan Phillips features, followed by the season championship head-to-head slam with Oz and Adam.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
The Cantab Lounge is proud to announce the 2008 Cantab Slam Team:
Adam may yet elect to compete for another local team to gain full team member status; we wish Adam the best of luck in whatever he chooses. In the meantime, watch for the team's schedule of upcoming features!
The four-round slam last night was, as always, amazing, entertaining, and heartbreaking all in one. Local favorite Artie Moffa and Cantab rising star Casey Rocheteau were eliminated after the first two rounds, and then two members of last year's team, Jme and Brian S. Ellis, just missed the cut for the top spots after the final rounds. Our thanks go to all the night's spectators, judges, and staff, especially Dawn Gabriel, Sean Conlon, DJ Muse, Ryk McIntyre, and special guest host Alex Charalambides.
Next week: a musical interlude with the Lizard Lounge's very own Jeff Robinson Trio to back our open mic. We'll also be holding a double-header semi-final slam in the 8x8 series: qualified to slam are Oz, Sean, Sam, and Artie, then 125, Charley, Adam, and Casey. See you there!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
You wanted Regie Gibson? You wanted Shakespeare? You got 'em, plus a four-piece band for an hour-plus set; what an amazing, one-of-a-kind show. How lucky we are to have such a talented community.
Next week: the really really big show! Nine slammers will compete for a shot at the team, and there's been a last-minute change in the line-up... First, congratulations to Sam Teitel, who made the Manchester slam team and has dropped from our finals. And welcome back to Artie Moffa, who has recanted his earlier decision to drop and now rounds out our top nine! Remember: it's $5 to get in, and every dollar supports the 2008 Cantab Slam Team's trip to Madison, Wisconsin this August.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The results are in! A fourteen-slammer competition saw five poets left behind, while nine will advance to the grueling four-round Cantab Team Selection Finals on April 30. Semi-final results:
Poets in bold advance to the Finals (Sean and Artie have bowed out). Thanks to everyone who slammed, judged, and worked and drank hard to make a great show!
Next week: what, nobody told you? It'll be Regie Gibson as our feature, with a spotlight opener from C.R. Avery. Wait, we only charge three bucks for this?!?!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Another standing-room-only crowd at the Cantab last week! Nicole Terez Dutton was everything we expected... Plus some wonderful surprises. Nicole, come see us any time. After Nicole, our last chance slam was won by Cassandra de Alba (over veteran Michael Mack), who qualifies for our biggest slam of the year...
Tonight! TWENTY poets are qualified for Team Selection Semi-Finals, the first of two nights of rock-'em, sock-'em slam that will determine the 2008 Cantab Slam Team! After two rounds, the top nine poets will qualify for finals. Ryk McIntyre and Dawn Gabriel host; don't forget it's a $5 cover to help send our team to Nationals!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Last night? Oh, if you know, you know... Jack McCarthy, we have missed you. Our open mic was full of storytellers --both the kind who had seen Jack before, and the kind who hadn't-- and the venue was packed with folks ready to kick off National Poetry Month with one of the Cantab's favorite poets. Jack delivered an hour of moving work, including two encores, proving that he truly is our Stand-Up Poetry Guy.
And sure, we missed the Hampshire and Emerson college teams on the open this week; they're all in Albuquerque competing at College Nationals, of course! Word on the street today is that Emerson is in semi-finals tomorrow: think good thoughts for them starting around 6:00 New Mexico time.
Next week: the brilliant, subtle, and thought-provoking Nicole Terez Dutton. Plus, the super-duper-last-chance-slam to qualify for the April 16 team semi-finals!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
So when the photographer from the Boston Globe asked me "What will this room be like around 9:00?" I had to tell him there will be people sitting on every available horizontal surface. No kidding: there wasn't an empty seat, table, or patch of floor in the house for the send-off for the Emerson Slam Team, including spotlight features by Max Kessler and Carrie Rudzinski. It certainly didn't ease up much for our New York feature Jon Sands, who packed his set with poetry and showed us what it takes to become the youngest member of a Bar 13 slam team. We just barely got some breathing room for the penultimate slam before team tryouts, which was won by an on-fire (not literally) April Ranger.
Think it was tough to get a seat this week? Oh, you'd better show up early next Wednesday, then: our feature will be Jack McCarthy, and we're giving him an hour to do his thing. There's no slam, so show up early if you want an open mic spot... National Poetry Month, here we come!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
What a month it's been! And we almost went the length of it without updating. But if you were there, you already know, right?
First of all: we just about sold the house out for Steve Subrizi's fantastic feature. Funny and poignant by turns, Steve brought us on a roller coaster ride of woes and highs. The Cantab would be proud to call him a regular for years to come.
Then: Will Evans and J.W. Baz brought a tightly woven set to the stage, reading the crowd (and the blues band upstairs) with experienced ears. These guys got the audience laughing and sighing, all with the polish of nationally-touring professionals.
And last night: Joanna Hoffman packed her set full of D.C./Baltimore slam hits, all new to our ears. Our hearts buh-bizzle buh-bizzle for you, Joanna!
The last three jam-packed slams have been hotly contested, of course. Coming out on top have been Adam Stone, Casey Rocheteau, and Jme. Just two qualifying slams are left before the April 16 team semi-finals.
Next week: New York City sensation Jon Sands brings his Bar 13 voice and bottomless enthusiasm to the stage. Plus: the penultimate open slam to qualify for team tryouts!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The house was even more packed than usual for last night's open mic and feature! The night started rolling with spotlight features from Albuquerque SlamMaster Don McIver and local favorite Christopher Kain... Plus too many standout performances on the open mic to even count. Our feature was Champion of Champions Brian S. Ellis, who absolutely packed his half hour with intense work both new and old. What a treat to see our slam champion cutting loose with no time limit and no scoring; just a sincere Brian performing the poems he wanted us to hear.
Once again, the slam was full to the gills with poets shooting to qualify for the team, the 8x8 series, or just looking for more chances to perform to an audience willing to close the bar. Despite standout performances from Cassandra de Alba and Gary Hoare, the finals came down to Waiter vs. SlamMaster: Adam Stone and Simone Beaubien. Simone eeked in just under the time limit and just over Adam, taking home the $10 and qualifying for team semi-finals on April 16.
Next week, Emerson College slammer and beloved regular Steve Subrizi will feature. But if you can't wait that long, you can always come out this Saturday...
The Boston Poetry Slam presents...Regional Slam Spectacular!
March 1, 3:00-6:00
All Asia, 334 Mass Ave.
FREE, one drink minimum
This last-minute slam among Bar 13, Hampshire County, and Portland, Maine will secure a spot to the National Poetry Slam for the winner! Plus, we'll have features from The Gringo Choir -- that's Emerson College slammers Max Kessler, Carrie Rudzinski, Steve Subrizi, and Carlos Williams. We'll pass the hat to raise money for Emerson's trip to College Nationals in Albuquerque, then hang out and seat noodles at this ALL AGES, FREE SHOW.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
So, if you missed Jai Chakrabarti's feature last night, don't worry; you are sure to be hearing about it from all of your friends for the next several weeks. This incredible writer and performer made our regulars sit up and take notice and is sure to bring last night's first-timers back out to the bar. More importantly, expect to hear writing inspired by Jai's work for months to come.
Yet another packed poetry slam was won by Charley Pope, who just edged out rare slammer April Ranger in a hotly contested final. Slam season sure is heating up for our team selection slams in April, folks!
Next week: Champion of Champions and perennial Cantab Slam Team member Brian S. Ellis just got back from the Northwest, and with fresh new poetry, of course. Come for a chance to hear Brian feature without any slamming involved! Special treats tonight, too: Albuquerque SlamMaster Don McIver will spotlight, and Christopher Kain will also read selections from his brand new chapbook. Plus, another open qualifying slam! See you there...
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Whoa. Whoa. What happened last night? Does anyone remember? It's all a wet blur of black leather and high heels...
Yup, it was another successful Erotic Poetry Night at the Cantab Lounge. Hilarious and sexy hosts Dawn Gabriel and Sean Conlon wrangled a good thirty poets onto the open mic, including wonderful spotlight features from Jess del Balzo, Omoizele Okoawo, and Jme --as Dawn would say, "that's something for everyone!" The annual Nappy Owl award for real erotic poetry went to Igor, who enlisted Jess to help read his two-voice erotic cover. And, fittingly, the first annual Two Girls One Cup award went to 1two5 for his traditional reading of the one and only "warm towel/on your nappy owl" poem. There was plenty other rambunctiousness and bawdiness to spare, not least of all being upcoming feature Steve's unforgettable "tornado of pussy" and an unforgettable rendition of... We don't know what... From super-cute couple Sharyn and Dan.
And did we slam after the open mic? We did! Another slam jam-packed with 2008 Cantab Slam Team hopefuls narrowed down to 1two5 vs. Simone in the finals; 1two5 took the prize and the glory, avenging his finals loss from last week, but you can expect to see the other seven back for more action in coming weeks as we lead up to the team slams in April.
Next week: towel off and cool down for Jai Chakrabarti. A Bar 13 NYC regular with lyrical style and casual performance, he's exactly what you'll need to hear after this week's open. This is his only Boston feature, so don't miss it!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Congratulations to our World Qualifier winner... Erich Hagan! After four rounds of slam, Erich was the last poet left standing, taking down 1two5 in the final pairing. Erich will represent the Cantab at the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam in Columbus, Ohio. Thanks to all who slammed, sacrificed, attended and judged!
Next week: the Cantab's annual Erotic Poetry Night. Bring your naughtiest poetry (or at least a good outfit) to our special extended open mic night. Assisting the erotically impaired will be special spotlight features: Jess Del Balzo, Omoizele Okoawo, and James Caroline, with Dawn Gabriel and Sean Conlon hosting.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
What a great night at the Cantab! The venue was absolutely packed to the gills with folks excited to see the annual World Qualifier throwdown! At the end of the night, our results were...
- Steve Subrizi 46.4
- Charley Pope 50.2
- Trevor Byrne-Smith 50.9
- Erich Hagan 51.0
- Sean Conlon 51.4
- Artie Moffa 52.0
- Sam Teitel 52.3
- Sharyn Wolfenbarger 53.6
- 1two5 54.4
- Omoizele Okoawo 56.1
Poets in bold will advance to the World Qualifier Finals next week! We'll wipe the slate clean and go four rounds to pare it down to a single winner. Remember, it's another $5 cover to help send the top poet to the Individual World Poetry Slam in Columbus this October.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
It was another cold Wednesday in Cambridge, but, as usual, the Cantab regulars were heating it up with another great night of open mic. Our feature was Shannon Leigh, who performed a spotlight feature for us years ago and now made a triumphant, stellar return for a full feature. Shannon brought us great writing and performance and her work is sure to inspire listeners for weeks to come. A hard-fought slam --the last before our big World Qualifier slam-- was won by Artie Moffa.
Next week's show will be...
Wednesday, January 30
World Qualifiers for the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam!
$5 cover charge helps send the winner to IWPS 2008 in Columbus, Ohio
Two-round speed slam, top scorers advance to Finals on February 6.
Final list of qualified slammers:
Emily Griffin, 1two5, Jme, Simone Beaubien, Shira Erlichman, Brian S. Ellis, Erich Hagan, Adam Stone, Jamei Bauer, James Lindsay, Rainmaker, Christopher Johnson, Artie Moffa, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Jason S., Nate Leland, 6 is 9, Sharyn Wolfenbarger, Lonzelle, Steve Subrizi, Charley Pope, Sam Teitel, Omoizele Okoawo, Sean Conlon, Inkstress
This is going to be a great show! See you there!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Of course Queen Sheba was lively, engaging, and just a little unpredictable: did you expect anything less? But last night's feature was also sincere, powerful, and a generally good show, honoring the Cantab with hard work and a brand new piece to close out the night. An incredibly fun slam featured a good range of first-timers and veterans, but at the end, Sheba's touring buddy Inkstress from Durham eliminated 125 in the final round.
Next week: years ago, you saw her spotlight at the Cantab. Then, just last August, the whole slam community watched her take a top three finish at the National Poetry Slam's last individual competition. Next Wednesday, we get half an hour of Shannon Leigh all to ourselves. Plus, the last open slam to qualify for our IWPS slams!
...And, meanwhile, don't forget this Saturday's show:
Saturday, January 19 @ The Attleboro Arts Museum
Third Annual Attleboro Slam!
- 1:00 p.m.: Music by students of the Network School. Signups begin for the slam!
- 2:00 p.m.: Youth slam! 19 years and younger, with prizes of $100/$50/$25 for the winners.
- 3:00 p.m.: Spotlight features by Worcester's Sou MacMillan and SlamMaster Simone Beaubien.
- 4:00 p.m.: Adult slam! Prizes of $200/$100/$50 for the winners. This slam will include past Attleboro champions Ryk McIntyre and Artie Moffa.
Oh, Mike McGee and Robbie Q: they helped us ring in the New Year for 2007, so what better than to invite them back to kick off 2008, too? This mighty duo treated a sold-out crowd to a solid mix of silly and serious. After the feature, a packed slam included three first-timers and some heavy hitters, too: in the final round, recent regular Sam Teitel eliminated first-timer Jason Henry for the win.
Next week: Queen Sheba, 2007 National Poetry Slam champion and long-time Charlotte slammer makes her first appearance at the Cantab! After the feature, we'll have one of the last two slams remaining to qualify for our Individual World Poetry Slam spot.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Happy New Year, Cantabbers! Did you come see us at First Night? If so, you were privileged to catch Adam Stone, Patrick S., April Ranger, Richard Cambridge, Steve Subrizi, Nate Leland, Trevor Byrne-Smith, Brian S. Ellis, Samantha Jane Scolamiero, Eric Urban, Cara Powers, and Alex Charalambides in what was, obviously, a rockin' set of all-star poetry slams. Big thanks go to all who participated, judged, heckled, and made our show the best First Night Poetry Slam we've had in years.
Even if you missed First Night, you can probably forgive yourself if you saw Roger Bonair-Agard perform just this past Wednesday. We always try to ring in the new year at the Cantab with a great feature, and this year was no exception: Roger was everything we expected, and more, delivering his heady, remarkable work with the presence you'd expect from a national champion. After Roger's feature, six slammers buckled down for a three-round fight, and Sean Conlon edged out Cara Powers for the win and the big ten bucks.
Next week: you know them, you love them, and it wouldn't be a year at the Cantab without them... It's Mike McGee and Robbie Q, national slam sensations guaranteed to make you shoot beer out of your nose. This hilarous, clever, and engaging duo returns to entertain and move, all in the name of poetry. Plus, there'll be another open slam. See you there!
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IN MEMORY
of Shannon Leigh
Shannon Leigh, talented member of our nationwide slam community, passed away on Monday, June 30. All are encouraged to contribute to her memory and help offset medical bills here.
The Cantab Lounge has selected our 2008 Slam Team. Click here to find out who will represent the venue this August at the National Poetry Slam in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Cantab Lounge has selected our 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam representative. Congratulations to Erich Hagan, who will represent the venue this December at IWPS in Charlotte, North Carolina!
Michael Brown, former Cantab Slammaster, has moved! Please update your bookmarks to point to his new homepage, michael.brown.name.
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Questions? Email us at cantab@slamnews.com.