Arkansas Grand Slam

BREAKING NEWS! Listen up poets!!! The cap is back ...registration ends Oct 31st. Our registration limit will hold at 45 contestants. There will be 3 rounds of 15 "random round -random drawl". The Top 5 scores from each round go to Fridays finals equaling 15contestants. The next 2 highest scores from each of the 3 rounds equaling 6 contestants will go to the SECOND CHANCE ROUND on SATURDAY afternoon. The top 5 scores from second chance will join the top 15 from Friday night to slam it out on the final stage which will consist of 3 rounds all 20 contestants to top 10 to top 5. Accumulative scores determine position. SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT... ITS BIG, IT’S HOT, IT’S ON!!!!!! ARGS 2011 ARGS 2011 November 4th and 5th 2011 Official Sponsor THE POET"S LOFT and DALLAS/ FORT WORTH POETRY SLAMS GRAND PRIZE $2000.00 CASH Open to only 50 world class contestants Registration is $100.00 payable thru PayPal, cashiers check or money order mailed to The Poets Loft 514b Central Ave Hot Springs AR 71901 Click Here for a PDF file of the Registration Form for ARGS 2011 Deadline is October 31st. (NO REGISTRATION AFTER OCTOBER 31st) Hosted by Mike Guinn #1 POETRY PROMOTER IN THE WORLD and Pamela R. Rawls OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THE WORLD RENOWED POET'S LOFT 2 day event, check in time is 3pm on Friday November 4th late arrivals forfeit competition slot. Friday November 4th elimination rounds. Saturday November 5th side events workshops and grand finals ( bring your a game. There is no second chance round. If your not confident enough that you will make finals stay home. This is the real deal. You will not win this competition on your popularity or your delusions) this is a championship competition and definitely separates the chumps from the champs! Confidence Omenai is your accommodations host Michelle Nimmo and Seth White are your check in and welcoming committee Lisa Felton and Frank Patton or your door greeters Raymond Barnett is your video-0grapher Mary Z Gray and kirk Hardesty are your official score keepers Mike Guinn and Pamela R. Rawls are your offical time keepers TICKETS 2xaa passes are 30.00 in advance save a total of 20.00. 40.00 at the door save 10.00 Friday prelims 15.00 Saturday daytime 15.00 Saturday night finals 20.00
Arkansas Grand Slam 2011 How big is the Arkansas Grand Slam? The event is strictly limited to 50 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: $2000.00 1st. ARGS FIRE MIC TROPHY $300.00 2ND PAID ENTRY FOR 2012 $125.00 3RD $50.00 4TH $25.00 5TH AUDIENCE FAVORITE WILL RECEIVE A NEW TOTE BAG JOURNAL AND PEN SET Who can compete in ARGS? Competitors must be over the age of 18. Fifty slots are reserved for individual representatives of nationwide venues. Those are available on a first come, first served basis. How do I register? We are expecting ARGS 2011 to be highly competitive and, as always, maxed out with qualified poets. First come first serve, register NOW thru PayPal Registration is transferable but not refundable. ALL PAID ENTRIES RECEIVE A WELCOME BAG FULL OF GOODIES AND DISCOUNTS AN ALL ACCESS 2 DAY PASS AND MEAL VOUCHER “THAT’S RIGHT! NOBODY GOES HUNGRY OR THIRSTY HERE!” There will be many prize opportunities for registered participants.
General Info
	Will There Be A Last Chance Slam?
		NOT THIS YEAR! 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. November 4th and 5th 2011
	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 15 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 50 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 TOP 15 SCORES from the pervious night meet on the final stage 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.
	Who 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 by 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.
ARGS 2011 Schedule Friday Nov 3rd[SUBJECT TO ADJUSTMENT] 2pm-5pm Check in 5:30pm Courtyard Meeting Poets and Host 6:30pm Prelims $15 FREE to ARGS Participants. 10 pm? SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY “QUAD KILLER” HIP HOP ELECTRO-ROCK, MUSIC SPOKEN WORD FUSION. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants Sat Nov 4th 10am LOFT OPENS- LITE BRUNCH SERVED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS & AA PASS HOLDERS $10.00 FREE to ARGS participants 10:30 am WAKE UP SLAM $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 11am IMPROV SLAM $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 12pm LITE LUNCH SERVED TO ALL PARTICIPANTS AND PASS HOLDERS $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 1pm. OPEN MIC $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 2pm. POETRY TAG $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 3pm. H2H Showdown with Kirk Hardesty. $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 4pm. SACK SLAM $5.00 FREE to ARGS participants 5pm. SOCIAL NETWORKING SIT DOWN SLAM FAMILY CHILI DINNER $10.00 FREE to ARGS participants 6:30pm Courtyard Meeting with Participants and Host. 7pm FINALS $25.00 FREE to ARGS participants
Winners of the 2010 Arkansas Grand Slam! Christopher Michael - Texas Seth Walker - New Hampshire Will Gibson New Hampshire Andi Kauth Chicago Confidence Host: Michael Guinn Congratulations All!
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” Justin David Tate Michelle Nimmo MO Seth White MO Seth Walker Jisaidia Sentino Dallas T.j. Mendel Bryant Arkansas Preston Switcher Dallas TX Houston Hughes Arkansas Robert Goudy “ROCK BABY” Texas Teresa Davis Atlanta GA Donald Walkingbear ”themanwiththegreenhat” Mo Jerri Hardesty Al Beau Williams NH Billy TuttleIll Confidence Omenai OK