Wham Bam Slam
The URBANA POETRY SLAM is the resident poetry slam series at the Bowery Poetry Club, producing poetry slams every Tuesday night from September thru May, with a few special events during the summer.
Despite having won the National Poetry Slam Championship a record-breaking three times (in 1997, 2000, and 2002), it remains a very warm and inviting place to read poetry. Quirky even. Admission is regularly $7, but if it's the night of a semifinal slam, which may or may not be indicated above, it is $10.
Open slams lead to semifinal slams and ultimately to the finals on Saturday, May 3, 2008. If you're interested in slamming, it's a good idea to come one night and sign up for the open mic that precedes the slam, which is not competitive in any way. The featured poet is usually a well-known poet on the performance poetry circuit or someone who did well at the most recent National Poetry Slam. Urbana is booked for the entire season.