Poetry

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Upcoming Poets
Savannah Blue December 4th Unlike other performance poet's who had to agonize over a stage name and performance persona, Angela brought the name "Savannah Blue" with her. Born in Abbeyville, Louisiana in 1972, she had chosen "Savannah Blue" as an alternative name for herself long ago to reflect her Southern roots and the dark, bluesy, tragic spirit borne of her troubled youth raised in various neighborhoods around Houston which included Trinity Gardens, Settegast, and Galena Park. The accomplished loan officer, real estate broker, mortgage broker, and certified mortgage instructor startled her first audience with the power, pride, and audacity of her performance of "Who Am I", a poem in which she proudly proclaims for all accomplished women, "I am the queen of all queens". The poet Savannah Blue was born, and quickly became in demand for featured performances in the bustling open mic performance poetry scene in Houston and Galveston. Her trade mark is a fiery delivery, a clear voice which can evoke a range of emotions, and her total command of the stage.
Poetry News
Bitterberry Press Chapbook Contest Entries accepted May 1, 2010-August 31, 2010 (must be postmarked no later than August 31, 2010) First prize winner will receive $150 and 10 copies of their chapbook. Second prize will be $50. Third prize will be $25. Top three finalists will also be acknowledged on the website. Reading fee of $12 per manuscript (please make checks payable to BitterBerry Press) We acquire first and second serial rights. All rights revert to poet upon publication. http://www.bitterberrypress.com/index.html Click here to download the flyer
The mission of The Poet’s Loft is to create a multi-cultural venue that both nurtures artists and exhibits a variety of artistic works. Without limitations, we are dedicated to providing a stage for the arts and a venue for the artist and access for the supportive public. What a great venue! And what illustrious poets have read on this stage! This Venue curates a most glorious poetic tradition that has showcased some incredible poets in this far off part of Americana. Rita Dove, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Yevgeny Yevtushenko, Brenda Moossy, Ben Porter Lewis, Lucinda Williams, Miller Williams, Shokan Tadashi Kondo and a list of poets that just might surprise you have graced our most wonderful stage. It is truly an honor to read here following in such poetic footsteps. The annual Wednesday night open mic poetry reading founded in 1989 "The Spa City Poetry reading" is believed to be the worlds oldest continuous Wednesday open mic poetry reading in history. Printed articles about this local event have appeared in local newsprint, and in publications throughout the U.S. including People Magazine. Hosted by the man who founded "The Poet's Loft" Bud Kenney. The Spa City Poetry Slam is a uncensored competition for spoken word artist. Founded in 1997 the staple prize allotted for the wonder poet in 3rd place has always remained "A Loaf of Wonder Bread and can of Spam" the prize money has changed over the years and now stands at $25 for the poet in 1st place and a new journal for the 2nd place winner. Feature slots are available for every event. The Arkansas Grand Slam spoken word competition for individual poets is the world most prestigious live invitational competition in the world, Specifically in existence to celebrate the art of spoken word and the artist who perform it. Honored, I humbly bow....The very first Arkansas Grand Slam was held in November of 1997. There is no other poetry competition on this earth that does more to celebrate the poet than The Arkansas Grand slam. Not PSI, Not LEAF, Not Blue Bonnet or Akoben Word Fest. NONE! Come on out and be a part of the tradition, experience the Phenom of Slam Poetry live. Most importantly, experience The Loft!.
Legends of Poetry: Local and Worldwide
Brenda Moossy Reading Anaconda (R rated)

Crystal Tuskey July 14th Crystal lives near Pearcy. She writes poetry to focus on life around her. Her poetry tells stories that are bittersweet and real. Come on out and enjoy one of the best young poetic voices to grace The Poet's Loft stage.
Justin David Tate July 21st Justin David Tate is a performer of his own original spoken word poetry and has performed in New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, Hot, Springs, Arkansas, and many others. He is in the process of starting up his own clothing line to better reflect his distinct style and purpose as an artist. He also has a book of poetry and art that will be released soon in the year 2010 entitled, “Dollar In My Pocket”. Be on the look out! This talented young man has many surprises up his sleeve.
SPA CITY SPECIAL SOAKER SLAM! SPECIAL TIME 7PM JULY 3rd Have you been wondering how to cool off during the hot Arkansas days of summer?? Come to the Spa City SOAKER Slam!!! 1 part HOT SUMMER DAY + 20 parts WATER + 3 Minute Segments of POETRY = A Wet T-Shirt Poetry Slam filled with FUN!! This event will be held in the sculpture garden of The Poet's Loft, off of Exchange Street. Poets, male and female, are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to wear a white (or light colored) t-shirt. (Girls MUST wear a bra or a bikini top under their shirt.) You will be soaked before your performance. The judges will have water guns along with their scorecards. There will be random soaking and random prizes. It's going to be HOT on so many levels!! FREE TO ATTEND, FREE TO SLAM, FREE DOOR PRIZES.... FIRST PLACE $100!! POETRY COMES FIRST.... and this will be judged as a regular poetry slam. The male and female winner of the wet t-shirt portion will win a free t-shirt, and will be judged by the audience. Must be 18 to attend and slam. Professional videographer will be in attendance so the whole night will go down in YouTube prosperity!!
Rael July 7th In February of 2009, Rael found himself attending Creative Writing meetings for slam poetry at Cabot High School. Since then he has immersed himself in Spoken Word and Performance Poetry, including attending local events, open mics, and slams in Little Rock, Arkansas and attending Southern Fried 2009 in Durham, North Carolina. Now he helps mentor students from several schools in the area and runs writing and performance workshops in conjunction with the Creative Writing after school program at Cabot High School.
Big Poppa E & Lennon Simpson & Keith "K-Rukus" Poritsky June 23rd Big Poppa E is a three-time veteran of HBO's award-winning "Def Poetry" showcase and a National Poetry Slam Champion from Austin, Texas. His live performances combine performance-based poetry, stand-up comedy, and dramatic monologue into high-energy rants about relationships, pop culture, and hot-button issues of the day. BPE's work often covers areas of gender, sexuality and masculinity with a playful irreverence, and this focus has led to a growing following amongst high school and college students, especially those active in speech competitions. Big Poppa E has toured across the United States and Canada since 2000, hitting 42 states and generating stories in newspapers around the world, including: The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Ottawa Citizen(Canada), The Daily Express (UK), The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), and The Utne Reader. BPE was called "an icon for effeminate men" in the pages of Ms. Magazine, and The Los Angeles Times said he was "a leader of a new men's movement." In addition to performing in universities and high schools, Big Poppa E also works with organizations such as Amnesty International and Men Against Violence in support of women's issues and sexual assault awareness. Also performing with Big Poppa E will be his tour partners Lennon Simpson and Keith "K-Ruckus" Poritsky. The trio will be filming a documentary of their Harry Potter-themed tour across America that will be assembled over the next year. The name of their tour — The 9-3/4 Tour — is a reference to the hidden train track where wizarding students board the train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The Blood Barn Sessions: songs & poems by Marck Beggs - June 16th 7pm Marck Beggs is the author of three collections of poems: Catastrophic Chords, Libido Café, and Godworm. His folk-rock band, dog gods, has released its first CD (I am large; I contain multitudes) in 2008, and Beggs has just completed recording his first solo CD (Music from the Blood Barn). His performance at the Poet’s Loft will showcase original songs and poems. Beggs lives in a cabin by a lake in Pulaski County with his wife, Carly Cate, and a slew of animals. His day job consists of serving as the Graduate Dean and Professor of English at Henderson State University.
Mike Guinn - June 5th For years Mike Guinn a member of the Fort Worth Slam Team has built a national reputation for coordinating and hosting quality spoken word/poetry events, workshops and presentations that have helped hundreds of other poets grow into their potential as aspiring spoken word artists. And by doing so is uniting the poetry and spokenword community. Arkansas Grand Slam Champion. Last Man Standing Slam Champion. TCC NW Poetry Slam Champion. 4 Time Fort Worth Grand Slam Champion. 3 Time AIPF International Slam Champion. Sawgrass Performance Poet Winner. Poetry Society Of Texas Performance Contest Winner.
Sam Breashears May 26th Sam Breashears is a poet with a unique outlook on life and poetry. If you listen to his poetry long enough you will find something in it that will touch you in a personal way. His poetry can make you laugh, cry, smile, think about the nature of truth and contemplate the nature of life. Sam has been attending and performing at the Wednesday Night Poetry Reading off and on since 1995. He is a regular fixture on the Poets Loft stage and at the Poets Loft for numerous events. This week's poetry reading marks a milestone in his life. Sam recently graduated from National Park Community College and is preparing to take the next step in achieving his educational goals.
audacious May 5th
Doug Shields May 12th Doug Shields attended the charter class of Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts. While there, he discovered the magic of poetry at McGee's Cafe, and later at the Poet's Loft. After graduating, Shields moved to the overwhelming city of Houston to pursue a physics degree. While there he felt drawn to an art commune called Southmore House. In 2001 he moved into Southmore House and began the Houston Poetry Slam, a slam scene which continues to this day. Upon moving to Fayetteville, Arkansas Shields headed Ozark Poetry Slam for several years before entering the graduate program at the University of Arkansas. He currently researches black holes while earning his Ph.D. in physics.
Recommended Venues
Type: Music/Arts - Jam Session Date: Every other Thurs nite (Next one April 15th) Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm Location: ACAC (Arkansas Community Arts Co-Op) Street: 900 S. Rodney Parham City/Town: Little Rock, AR Email: theurbanhangsuite@yahoo.com Description THE URBAN HANG SUITE 88.3 PRESENTS: inVERSE Open Mic!!!! It's all Love at inVERSE open mic at 900 S. Rodney Parham Rd. Doors open at 6pm-mic opens at 7pm! Come see what all the hype is about and why HBO Def Jam poets and national slam poets from all over travel to a venue thats right here in your own backyard! inVERSE is Arkansas hidden treasure. Live poetry, music and fun. Free Wine and cheese! Free Wifi! Adm: $5 visit: www.suiteladies. org www.turnproject.org Coffy Davis
Testimonials
First you notice the stairs - lots of stairs (30+). They creak a little. A sign made on cumputer paper and stapled to the wall says "Worth The Climb". It is. The space is high-ceilinged, old, and colorful. Pam Rawls, the 'Keeper' of The Loft, is casual, open and organic. She likes for food and poetry to be fresh, even raw, and nourishing. There is little pretense in this historic gathering place for artisans who are ever trying to dissect beauty from the carcasses of everyday rigor. Soon you learn that the secret of The Loft is reaching out, and that the ones reaching back may be very different than you - or, maybe not. For here in a space as eclectic as the folks who bring it to life, men in button-downs laugh with studded, tatooed girls in miniskirts, - ethnic gates are crashed, - viewpoints punctuate closed-set hearts, and limp baloons of inspiration are refilled with the air of the muses. There is still a long flight of stairs to descend, but the bodies leaving The loft are born lightly away into the night. It is impossible to visit the place and exit unchanged. Do not all poets fear that their voice may be swallowed in infancy? There are rows and rows of black and white pictures decorating the walls here, attesting to the words, and the writers, which 'grew-up' here. Directly across the street are the bathhouses once visited by this country's royalty; up the street, the Arlington Hotel, formerly a favorite haunt for the Mob, - but the words, which float out the huge bay window behind the stage, continue to 'spring' forth, as Wednesday's poets rant - cry - cajole - ridicule - exhort - and whisper the words of their souls. While the door at the bottom of the stairs remains open, come on up! Make some hay! Stephen Johnson April 20, 2010