Arkansas Grand Slam

Announcing Qualified Competitors List for ARGS 2010

ARGS Registration is Open Sign Up Now!

Currently Registered Falita Hicks San Marco TX Christopher Michael Killeen TX Daniel Ramos Midland TX Jeremyah Payne Seabrook TX Christopher Brown Killeen TX Sam B Hot Springs Ark Krystle Wit-A-E Tampa Fl Wil “one l” Gibson’ Chicago Jisaidia Sentino LGB TX “PENDING”

 

ARGS 2010 Schedule
Friday Nov 5th [SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT]
3pm-6pm	Check in
6pm	Courtyard Meeting Poets and Host
7pm	Prelims $10 FREE to ARGS Participants.
10 pm?	Erotica Slam with Jeri Hardesty 21 and over $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants.
Sat Nov 6th
10pm	Nitche Ward and Lachella Epperson present Tour Etiquette: What Not to Do When You Stay at Someone Else’s Home . FREE
10:30 pm.	Battle of the sexes slam with Jeni Emerson $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
11pm.	Andi Kauth and Billy TUGGLE present. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
12pm	Improve Slam with Joaquin $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
1pm.	Rock Baby presents BIG DRAWS comedy in performance poetry. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
2pm.	Open Mic with Michelle Nimmo. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
3pm.	H2H Showdown with Kirk Hardesty. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
4pm.	Performance workshop with Mike Guinn. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants
5pm.	Second Chance Round with Host Joaquin. $10.00 FREE to ARGS participants
6:30pm	Courtyard Meeting with Participants and Host.
7pm	FINALS $20.00 FREE to ARGS participants
10 pm?	Private Appreciation Party all participants, volunteers and AA2 day pass holders only MUST BE 21 or older.
Advance 2 day all access passes include private after party $50.00 you save $30.00

 

---

What is the Arkansas Grand Slam?

The Arkansas Grand Slam or ARGS is a performance poetry tournament not connected with, however much like the National Poetry Slam AND IWPS. Though designed for individual competition, poets from all over the world meet and compete in a multi-day performance poetry contest.

How big is the Arkansas Grand Slam?

The event is strictly limited to 40 contestants. Attracting hundreds of audience members it is a smaller, more intimate festival with all the excellence and excitement of the much larger National Poetry Slam and IWPS. You do not have to be a PSI member to compete in this event. Because the event is exclusive, the quality of the competition is some of the best in the world.

What are the prizes?

GUARANTEED PRIZES:

$1250.00 1st.
$750.00 2ND
$350.00 3RD
$150.00 4TH
$100.00 5TH

Audience favorite $50.00

Who can compete in ARGS?

Competitors must be over the age of 18. Forty slots are reserved for individual representatives of nationwide venues. Those are available on a first come, first served basis.

How do I register?

Generally speaking, participants are qualified by featuring at the historic Wednesday Night Open Mic or scheduled SPA CITY SLAM they will then be sent an invitation to compete in ARGS 2010 once they receive that invitation, they then can pay for registration, we are expecting ARGS 2010 to be highly competitive and, as always, maxed out with qualified poets.

Click Here for a PDF file of the Registration Form for ARGS

Will There Be A Last Chance Slam?

Yes! That will be held at The Poet's Loft on Friday the same the night before ARGS 2010 begins we reserve the right to change the format depending on the number of poets signed up. We will try to include as many competitors as possible! We will generally follow National Rules and will announce any differences... Be prepared to show current valid I.D. with your address!

When does ARGS take place?

First full weekend in November. It is a two day event, with preliminary rounds on Friday and finals on Saturday.

When should I arrive?

We strongly recommend competitors arrive no later than 3PM ON FRIDAY night. We happily encourage visitors and competitors alike to arrive the Wednesday BEFORE ARGS to enjoy the beauty of Hot Springs National Park, as well as the numerous events local organizers have scheduled before the competition.

What is the format for ARGS?

ARGS IS a 2 Day tournament. Prelims are on Friday and Finals are on Saturday. All the competitors perform in Prelims. The top 10 poets advance to Finals, which is three-round elimination. The top scoring poet of the final round is the new champ. Numerous official side events before and after the competition are scheduled.

How many poems do I need to win?

1) You need at least FOUR poems. Prelims are a 1 CHANCE 3MINUTE TIME LIMIT slam so each poet much prepare TO DELIVER THE BEST STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE. Finals are a three-round elimination slam with standard 3-minute poems.

2) Repeats are NOT allowed during the competition. If you really want to win, however, it is wise to WRITE WELL, SPEAK WELL, AND PERFORM WELL; you will find that substance wins here.

How does the competition actually work?

Up to 40 poets will battle head-to-head during one night of preliminary competition in the Poets Loft. In a attempt to make the final stage, the remaining poets who did not score in the top 10 during prelim, will scrap it out Nov 7th in a second chance round to hopefully become one of the top 5, and will join the top 10 from the pervious night and that’s where the battle begins. 15 will slam it out, and then 10, then 5 for the top prize, all rounds and orders are randomly drawn. All rounds have a no repeat rule and 3 minute time limit.

Who judges the poetry?

What makes Poetry Slams unique is that judges are randomly selected from the audience! One of the basic humanistic tenants of the Slam is that everyone is entitled to an opinion, and that performance poets are accountable to their audiences. The Bout Manager then carefully screens potential judges to ensure they were not ‘planted’ by one of the competitors.

Who can participate?

Anyone and everyone! Aside from being an active listener in our audiences, you are welcome to read your poetry in the many open mics during the tournament. Competition is limited to registered poets.

May I perform if I'm not competing?

Absolutely. Many of the side-events are not competitions, and there will be open sign-ups for the general public.

Whom do I call if I get lost?

Competitors will get the 24-hour “Hotline” number of a Hospitality Specialist after you register. One week before the event, we’ll announce a hotline number for the general public.

back to top

What is the weather like?

Weather in Arkansas is usually mild, and some of our best weather of the year is in the fall! Don't be fooled! Locals always bring a jacket, because the fog can arrive at any time dropping temperatures from the 80's to the 50's in a flash! Temperatures in November average in the high 60’s during the day, and low 40’s at night. Precipitation is minimal (less than two inches). It has always been joked that if you do not like the weather here stick around it’ll change in a day or two

What do I need to know about Hot Springs National Park?

Dubbed Americas first resort, Hot Springs, AR literally sprang to life in an Ouachita Mountains valley containing a remarkable array of 47 thermal springs. The town has long been and remains Arkansas's top tourist destination, and for good reason. Its topflight attractions include Hot Springs National Park with its famed Bath House Row and thermal baths, live and simulcast thoroughbred racing, Magic Springs/Crystal Falls theme and water parks, the 210-acre Garvan Woodland Gardens and a renowned arts community. Other attractions include music, magic and religious shows, lake tours and more. Shopping opportunities, including antiques, abound in the Spa City, as do options for lodging.

Outdoor activities in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area include golf, horseback riding, and mining for quartz crystals, as well as fishing and water sports that center around area lakes Hamilton, Catherine, Ouachita and DeGray. Those activities combine with private lakeside resorts, rental houseboats and other accommodations, including those at three state parks nearby, to create numerous vacation options. Additional recreational opportunities are afforded in the nearby Ouachita National Forest.

What do I eat?

Downtown Hot Springs is a gourmet's delight, and it is difficult to find bad food. Options are great. Near the venues, especially late at night. The poets loft has a gourmet menu and the kitchen will be open at all times. A limited amount of free (yes, FREE) food will be provided for registered poets and ARGS staff on Friday and Saturday. Pam always feeds you!! There are also several restraints and coffeehouses, open during the day. You will be advised of participating restaurants that offer considerable discounts to participating poets.

WiFi & Internet Access?

Many cafes in Hot Springs offer free WiFi. 2 blocks down the Java Jungle, has computers with free internet access for public use.

How do I get around?

The epicenter of ARGS “The Poet’s Loft” is in the center of the downtown historic district everything ARGS is held under the same roof. If you are staying in a hotel in downtown, everything is walking distance... If you don't want to walk, you can always take a cab. If you DO have a car, you'll need to pay for parking downtown. On-street parking is A PAIN there is a secure parking deck on Exchange Street behind The Poet’s Loft.

Airports?

Hot Springs Airport is closest less than 7 miles from The Poet’s Loft, but Little Rock International Airport is a convenient 30 minute drive to The Poet’s Loft.

Can I get to ARGS Greyhound?

Yes if you wish to take Greyhound, we suggest disembarking at the Hot Springs Greyhound Station, which is not too far from the Downtown Historic District and within walking distance of The Poet’s Loft.

 

Sign Up to Slam

514-B Central Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: 501-625-7704
Email: poets.loft514@gmail.com

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

BILLY TUGGLE, Founding Member/President

Billy has racked up six consecutive National Poetry Slam appearances including finishes on two top-10 teams- Mental Graffiti/Chicago; He was twice a finalist in the Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam, one-time champ- Mental Graffiti/Chicago; Chicago Grand Slam Champion of 2008; Represented Palatine, IL in 2007 Dallas Invitational Poetry Slam & NPS.

Billy, also known as Karma Threesixty, is a HipHop Culturalist, vocalist and member of PolyRhythmic- a Chicago arts collective. Billy has lectured and facilitated performance workshops on primary and secondary school and university levels as well as appeared in McGraw-Hill educational video. Billy’s influence as a mentor can be seen in his affiliation with the Louder Than A Bomb Festival and its producers Young Chicago Authors where he has sat on panels and hosted bouts as well as staff volunteering.

ANDI KAUTH, Founding Member/Chief Officer

After coaching her Palatine, IL team in the National Poetry Slam at age 17, Andi made consecutive competitive appearances including a #31 rank as an individual in 2006. She was a finalist in the 2007 Arkansas Grand Slam and also competed in the 2007 Dallas Invitational Poetry Slam with Palatine, where she was “slam mistress” for 3 years. Andi presented a segment of the Vagina Monologues for Loyola University and was named Loyola’s 2008 Vagina Warrior.

Andi has performed at colleges and led youth writing classes and workshops. She has appeared in a Literature Launchers McGraw-Hill Educational video. As a high school student, Andi made herself an integral part of Writer’s Week at her alma mater Fremd High School under the tutelage of Henry Samson who mentored her and introduced her to the national slam scene. She is currently also a member of the PolyRhythmic arts collective.

RODRICK GOUDY/ROCK BABY

Rock Baby, the 2009 Arkansas Grand Slam champion, is a native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Appearing twice on HBO’s Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam, he offered television explosive performances with his distinct style of comedic poetry. Additionally, he has made headlining and supporting appearances at colleges, festivals, concerts, comedy clubs and poetry venues not to mention the numerous awards and top ranking for competing.

Rock Baby is also the local organizer for the Dallas Poetry Slam and for seven years he has been responsible for sending a team of local poets to compete on the national level. The Dallas Poetry Slam is the home to one of the best nationally ranking teams in the south.

This poet, comic and writer has delighted, educated and entertained people of various ages and ethnicities across America quickly making him a crowd favorite within the chitlin circuit of spoken word. Rock Baby is hailed as a contemporary artist that will definitely leave a lasting impression on those who are fortunate to experience his energy and passion.

MICHELLE NIMMO

Michelle Nimmo has been writing poetry since the age of twelve and has been performing poetry since 2007. She was MO Poetry Slam Springfield's representative in 2008, 2009, and 2010 at The Women of The World Poetry Slam. Michelle has also competed at The National Poetry Slam, the Individual World Poetry Slam and Arkansas Grand Slam. Michelle is a member of the Missouri State Poetry Society and Springfield Missouri's Poets & Friends. Michelle Nimmo is the official "Slam Momma" for MO Poetry Slam Springfield.

MIKE GUINN 2005 ARKANSAS GRAND SLAM CHAMPION AND THE OFFICAL HOST OF ARGS.

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.

THE ORIGINAL WOMAN

NITCHE WARD 2007 ARKANSAS GRAND SLAM WINNER Her Signature Poem “The Original Woman” explains it all. Through her pride in her own full-figure she teaches our youth and reminds the adults to “love your body.” In an effort to free our people from the slave like mentality of being “light, white and thin” she uses historical references to remind us of who The Original Woman really was.The Original Woman approaches the stage and confesses, “I have to tell the truth. I’m not really a poet. I’m a people’s soldier. I only use poetry as a tool to mobilize the people.” This people’s soldier, a native of North Carolina, has been educating, training, and mobilizing since 1996. Recruiting soldiers one by one, she prepares to mobilize an army around unity, African self-determination, and feminism.“Just Call me Mama Tubman”

Those who have witnessed a live performance may have heard her reference Harriet Tubman. Before Tubman could lead her people to the Underground Railroad, she had to have chat sessions to remind them that they were still slaves. So many people were content with working the plantations, and the rations their master gave them that they had forgotten they were slaves. Similarly today we have grown so content with our nickel and dime jobs and our slave mentality, that we are blind to oppression. The Original Woman uses spoken word as her chat sessions; the first step in emancipating her people mentally, and liberating them spiritually and physically.

The Original Woman’s performances and organizing has no borders. You can find her raising consciousness from North Carolina to Western Europe; the March for Women’s Lives being among her favorite audiences.

Representing North Carolina to the fullest with the Durham, NC slam team she is currently the #1 ranked individual poet in North Carolina and crowned one of the top ten poets in the country by the 2005 National Poetry Slam! You can find out more information about the National Poetry Slam at www.nps2005.org . Even with her national recognition she still has a policy of 1 or 1000, she has performed for audiences from 100 – 1.15 million! She has graced the mic for the BET’s reality commercial Mic Check, NAACP, NOW, the Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood, and shared stages with artist such as Alix Olsen (Def Poetry Jam), Ishle Park (NAACP Image awards and Def Poetry Jam), Whoopi Goldberg, Infamous Peter, Paul, and Mary (National Legendary Folk Singers), Ani DiFranco (“Riteous Babe” folk singer), Moby (The face of techno), Wanda Sykes Hall (Comedian), Nikki Giovanni (Poet and activist), Yolanda Adams (Gospel Singer), MC Lyte (Hip Hop Pioneer), Myra J. (Comedian), Helena D. Lewis (Def Poetry Jam). She reigns as the Author of Naked Expression and one of the most commonly requested chapbooks Spoken Word: The Movement. She is also the creator of three of the hottest CD’s on the spoken word circuit, Life – By Any Means Necessary!, The Messenger of Truth, and her most recent project The Addiction.

KIRK HARDESTY

Kirk Hardesty has been writing since he was a kid. He's even had a few poems published. But he found Poetry Slam in Florence, Alabama in 1997. He began hosting slam in Birmingham in 1998. Later that year he took over as slam master of the Montevallo Poetry Slam which he hosts, sending slam teams to the Southern Fried Regional Poetry Slam and the National Poetry Slam ever since. He began hosting Head to Head Haiku poetry slams in 2001. He was elected Tournament Director of Southern Fried in 2007 and holds that position still.

Kirk lives in a cozy house in the central Alabama woods with a few dogs, a cat and the love of his life, Jerri.

JOAQUIN ZIHUATENEJO

2008 GRAND SLAM CHAMPION. A father, a husband, a poet, a spoken word artist, and an award-winning teacher; he was born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas where his grandfather, Silas C. Medina, showed him what the novelist, Rudolfo Anaya, describes as the Path of Light. Through his poetry he strives to capture the duality of his culture, the Chicano culture. His is a mestizo culture that is steeped in duality, and in his poetry he depicts the essence of barrio life, writing about subjects as varied as his grandfather's garden, the experiences of a youth that was plagued by gang violence, a heritage that is steeped in sacrifice, and borders. He writes of borders that are both actual and metaphorical, borders that plague a people seen as immigrants in their own homeland. Joaquín is a member of the 2004 Dallas Poetry Slam Team and current Grand Slam Spoken Word Poetry Champion of Dallas. Joaquín and Dallas Slam placed third out of sixty competing teams from the United States, Canada, and the UK at the 2004 National Poetry Slam competition in St. Louis. He performs his work at various conferences, poetry recitals, and poetry slams throughout the country. He will be touring the East Coast this fall including a feature performance at the prestigious poetry venue, The Nuyorican Poets Café, founded and made famous by legendary poet and playwright Miguel Piñero. He recently competed in the Step to the Mic Spoken Word Competition in Stockton, California finishing in the top ten out of some 100 competing poets. As well as being a featured poet at the Austin International PoetryFestival last April, Joaquín's work was published in the 2004 Di-verse-CityPoetry Anthology. He has been the keynote speaker/performer at several conferences related to issues concerning Mexican Americans. He has self-published two collections of poetry, Barrio Songs and I of the Storm and has just completed his first spoken word CD, Barrio Songs, A Spoken Word Collection. He has had the privilege of being selected as the poet to open up for award winning poetand novelists Maya Angelou and E. Lynn Harris at their recent recitals at universities in the North Texas area. Joaquín currently lives in Denton, Texas, with his wife Aída, his two daughters, Aiyana and Dakota, and their two guinea pigs, Pancho and Cisco.