boisepoetry : Messages : 230-259 of 331

Skip to search.

Yahoo! Groups

boisepoetry · Boise Poetry Update

The Yahoo! Groups Product Blog

Check it out!

Group Information

Members: 1110
Category: Performing Arts
Founded: Sep 12, 2006
Language: English

Already a member? Sign in to Yahoo!

Yahoo! Groups Tips

Did you know...

Hear how Yahoo! Groups has changed the lives of others. Take me there.

Messages

Messages 230 - 259 of 331 Oldest | < Older | Newer > | Newest

Messages: Show Message Summaries

#230

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Tue Mar 1, 2011 5:25 pm
Subject: Update 6.11: SLAM OF STEEL TOMORROW

If you weren't already aware, now you are: SLAM OF STEEL is now coming to you TWICE a MONTH! Not only that, we've moved to first and third WEDNESDAYS! So, if you were still on the old schedule, thinking you were going to throw down tonight at Woman of Steel, this just means you've got an extra day to practice! I think I'm going to end every sentence of this update with an exclamation point! Remember! This is the LAST MONTH when ALL COMPETING POETS will earn one extra point in the rankings just for setting foot onstage! If you want to make finals
(which is in April), now's the time to make your push!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop w/Head-to-Head Haiku
When: WEDNESDAY, March 2; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 (or $1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

And, if that weren't enough...

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop w/Head-to-Head Haiku
When: WEDNESDAY, March 16; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 (or $1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOP w/Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; 6:30pm
Where: BSU Student Union, Hatch B (check screens the day of the workshop for room change)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES*

In case you're curious, here are the latest rankings (as of Feb. 22). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, 35
Tara Brenner, 19
Brenda Ray, 11
Alex Hatter, 11
Isaac Grambo, 10
Kristen Smith, 9
Conor Harris, 6
Faith Sawyer, 6
Janelle Wilson, 4
Lexy Leahy, 3
Elizabeth Greely, 3
Josh Adams, 3
Gabe Matheney, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Leah Cronen, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Matt Freeman, 1

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our SPONSORS make this all possible! They are the exclamation points of my life!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#231

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Thu Mar 10, 2011 4:43 pm
Subject: Update 6.12: TO BE READ IN AN IRISH ACCENT

Top o' the mornin' to you! Socks O'Flannery here, known the world over as "The Richest Hobo!" My name and my title are related, don't you know? I have socks, which is why my name is "Socks." It's also why I'm the richest hobo! How many hobos do you know who wear socks? If you answered 'one,' that's correct--it's just me!

I'm taking time off from riding the rails, eating beans out of cans, and dancing merry jigs to inform you that there is yet another SLAM OF STEEL in the month of March, and this one comes the day before the most revered day in my homeland, St. Patrick's Day!

No, I'm not from Ireland--I'm from Ontario--why do you ask?

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop w/Head-to-Head Haiku
When: WEDNESDAY, March 16; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 (or $1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOP w/Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; 6:30pm
Where: BSU Student Union, Hatch B (check screens the day of the workshop for room change)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES*

RANKINGS (as of March 7). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, 39
Tara Brenner, 19
Alex Hatter, 12
Brenda Ray, 11
Isaac Grambo, 10
Kristen Smith, 9
Conor Harris, 8
Faith Sawyer, 6
Janelle Wilson, 4
Lexy Leahy, 4
Matt Freeman, 4
Elizabeth Greely, 3
Josh Adams, 3
Gabe Matheney, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Leah Cronen, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Max, 1
Jon, 1

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our SPONSORS are ardent fans of singing hobos.
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#232

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Mar 16, 2011 6:24 pm
Subject: Update 6.14: SLAM OF STEEL is why we can't have nice things... TONIGHT!

(In this update, Tara Brenner is the star of a popular prime-time sit-com titled "Tara!" Isaac Grambo plays 'Krasner,' her eccentric neighbor).

Tara enters her apartment, which is littered with sheets of metal of all sizes, and has a large grinding wheel in the place of the television, and a drill press where the refrigerator usually stands.

Tara: What the hell? Why is my apartment suddenly a metal shop?

Isaac enters by sliding through the door frantically. 15 seconds of applause.

Isaac: Oh, hey, neighbor. What's up?

Tara: Why is there a metric ton of sheet metal in my apartment? And where is my refrigerator?

Isaac: Sheet metal? (Looks around, bewildered) Oh! Yeah! Slam of Steel.

Tara: What of steel?

Isaac: (Very deliberately, in Tara's face) Slam. Slam... of... Steel.

Tara: What the hell is a slam of steel?

Isaac: I don't know. But it's tonight. And I wanted you to be prepared.

Tara: By turning my apartment into a millwrights workshop?

Isaac: You see? You see!? You never want to do new things!

Tara: What does that have to do with--

Isaac: Oh, don't give me that! I'm trying to get you to expand your horizons! All you do is work in a prison and come home and whine about it. 'Oh, we had lock-down today! Oh, an inmate shanked another inmate with a ground-down toothbrush! Oh, I was held hostage and force-fed home-made booze made out of leftovers from the cafeteria!' It's all whining with you!

Tara: And Slam of Steel is supposed to stop me from whining.

Isaac: Absolutely.

Tara: But you don't know what it is.

Isaac: Not a clue.

Tara: Do you at least know anything about it?

Isaac: Sure--read this:

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop w/Head-to-Head Haiku
When: WEDNESDAY, March 16; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 (or $1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOP w/Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; 6:30pm
Where: BSU Student Union, Hatch B (check screens the day of the workshop for room change)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES*

RANKINGS (as of March 7). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, 39
Tara Brenner, 19
Alex Hatter, 12
Brenda Ray, 11
Isaac Grambo, 10
Kristen Smith, 9
Conor Harris, 8
Faith Sawyer, 6
Janelle Wilson, 4
Lexy Leahy, 4
Matt Freeman, 4
Elizabeth Greely, 3
Josh Adams, 3
Gabe Matheney, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Leah Cronen, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Max Schaffner, 1
Jon Ung, 1

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our SPONSORS were originally played by George Steinbrenner. When he died, his son Hank took over, but was a horrible actor.
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#233

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Mar 21, 2011 3:48 pm
Subject: Update 6.15: $50 Grand Prize Poetry Slam deLux Tonight

(Happy. 1950s-style, 'Leave it to Beaver' music plays in the background)

Announcer: Just what is it that makes today's Poetry Slam deLux so luxurious? So exciting?

Jimmy: It's chock full of vitamins and minerals and helps grow strong teeth and bones in 12 ways?

Announcer: No, Jimmy, that's Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs cereal--I'm talking about Poetry Slam deLux.

Jimmy: Oh! Right! I know! It shines the floor and softens hands while you do dishes!

Announcer: No, Jimmy, that's New Shinesoft'n'wash Brand Household Cleaner (not for use in households with children, cats, or canaries). I want to know what makes Poetry Slam deLux so great.

Jimmy: Oh! Yeah! I knew that. Ummm... it's the healthy cigarrette for women who are expecting? No, that's not right... I give up. What IS so special about Poetry Slam deLux?

Announcer: I'm glad you asked that, Jimmy. Poetry Slam deLux gives people a chance to see or participate in competitive slam poetry within the lovely confines of Neurolux Lounge. Participants gain the satisfaction of performing their work for an appreciative audience, and the audience, in turn, receives cultural enlightenment.

Jimmy: Um.... huh?

Announcer: There's a $50 prize and copious amounts of cheap booze--what more do you want? (to director) Why the hell do you give me idiot kids to work with? Did this guy get dropped as an infant or something? I swear! I was on Broadway! I played Othello! I am IMPORTANT!

New Announcer: So--come on down to Poetry Slam deLux. It's Poet-astic!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: PERFORMANCE POETRY WORKSHOP w/Jovan Mays
When: Monday, March 21; 6:30pm
Where: BSU Student Union, Hatch B (check screens the day of the workshop for room change)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workhsop
When: Wednesday, April 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5, $1 w/ Sudent ID
Ages: ALL AGES*

RANKINGS (as of March 21). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, 39
Tara Brenner, 19
Alex Hatter, 12
Brenda Ray, 11
Conor Harris, 11
Isaac Grambo, 10
Kristen Smith, 9
Matt Freeman, 8
Faith Sawyer, 6
Janelle Wilson, 4
Lexy Leahy, 4
Elizabeth Greely, 3
Josh Adams, 3
Leah Cronen, 3
Gabe Matheney, 2
Max Schaffner, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Jon Ung, 1
Michael Chapman, 1
Shawnathan Caron, 1
Danielle Blanker, 1

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our SPONSORS played Othello on Broadway twice.
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#234

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:00 pm
Subject: Update 6.16: Finals are coming!

Folks, we have one qualifying slam left before Finals, which means three things: 1.) Poets will be bringing their A-games to slams in order to be in the top eight and thus compete on April 18, 2.) A tie among qualifiers for eighth place will result in an IMMEDIATE head-to-head slam bout at next week's SLAM OF STEEL, and 3.) $300 in one-dollar bills will be released from a blimp floating above Woman of Steel Gallery next week. Actually, that third one is completely false. I was just checking to see if you were paying attention.

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workhsop
When: Wednesday, April 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5, $1 w/ Sudent ID
Ages: ALL AGES*

POETS PAY ATTENTION!
If you are aiming to compete in Finals and are near the cut-off point in the rankings, you will really want to attend SLAM OF STEEL next Wednesday. If we end with a tie for eighth (there are currently four people tied for eighth), there will be an immediate head-to-head death round to determine the last competitor for Finals. If you are in that tie position, but are not present, you will forfeit your chance to be in Finals.

RANKINGS (as of March 30). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, 41
Tara Brenner, 22
Brenda Ray, 11
Kristen Smith, 10
Matt Freeman, 8
Janelle Wilson, 4
Lexy Leahy, 4
Elizabeth Greely, 4
Barton Jackson, 4
*********************
Josh Adams, 3
Leah Cronen, 3
Gabe Matheney, 2
Max Schaffner, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Jon Ung, 1
Michael Chapman, 1
Shawnathan Caron, 1
Danielle Blanker, 1
Dre, 1
Complicated, 1
April, 1
Rick Jones, 1

And just in case you're trying to plan ahead and haven't picked up on this already:

What: Poetry Slam deLux FINALS with special feature Stephen Michael Meads
When: Monday, April 18; 8pm
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $8
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

SPONSORS
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#235

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2011 4:02 pm
Subject: Update 6.17: Last Chance to Qualify for Finals TONIGHT!

Counting poems are fun! Especially when you don't know how high the poet will end up counting! Let's make a counting update, shall we?

EACH OF THE FOLLOWING BULLET POINTS CONTAIN FACTS!

1. SLAM OF STEEL is tonight.
It is a poetry competition that is open to poets of all backgrounds and ages. There is also a workshop attached that starts an hour before the competition. Babies are cute.

2. Tonight's SLAM OF STEEL is the last chance for poets to qualify to compete in Finals.
Only the top eight in the rankings will compete in Finals at Neurolux on April 18. Serial killers are bad.

3. Tonight's WORKSHOP will focus on performance.
This will help those at the workshop hone their stage presence to razor-sharp precision, thus decimating the field, qualifying for Finals, going to Nationals, and reaping great financial rewards. Puppies like to lick faces.

4. If, after the competition tonight, there is a tie for the eighth and final qualifying spot, there will be an IMMEDIATE one-round head-to-head slam off to determine who will go to Finals.
There are currently two poets tied for eighth, but it's anybody's game--all anyone has to do is win tonight's Slam and they can go from 0 to 3 points. If you already have more than three points, well, do the math. Saturday comes after Friday.

5. I have only counted to five on this counting facts poem update.
This does not mean I only know five facts. I have a master's degree, for crying out loud! But counting has to end sometime, or we'd all die of boredom and starvation. Water is wet.

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workhsop
When: Wednesday, April 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5, $1 w/ Sudent ID
Ages: ALL AGES*

RANKINGS (as of March 30). The top eight compete in Finals on April 18.

Poet, Points
Cheryl Maddalena, a metric butt-load of points
Tara Brenner, you're not going to catch her, but she's got less than Cheryl
Brenda Ray, 11
Kristen Smith, 10
Matt Freeman, 8
Lexy Leahy, 4
Elizabeth Greely, 4
Josh Adams, 3
Leah Cronen, 3
***********************
Gabe Matheney, 2
Max Schaffner, 2
Spencer Hudson, 1
Sarah Koch, 1
Holly, 1
Theresa Stunz, 1
Jay Drifter, 1
Lucas Jaramillo, 1
Jon Ung, 1
Michael Chapman, 1
Shawnathan Caron, 1
Danielle Blanker, 1
Dre, 1
Complicated, 1
April, 1
Rick Jones, 1

Yeah--Finals is next!

What: Poetry Slam deLux FINALS with special feature Stephen Michael Meads
When: Monday, April 18; 8pm
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $8
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

SPONSORS
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Boise Weekly
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#236

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:34 pm
Subject: Update 6.18: Poetry Slam Finals--April 18

The lights go out and the room goes black. The hiss of smoke machines is heard briefly before a single, resonant bell chimes over the public address system. Lasers strobe with each toll of the bell, and a light comes from below the stage, illuminating the silhouettes of eight people, slowly rising from a trap-door elevator. A lone electric guitar pierces the ominous bells--it is Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls," and with the first clash of Lars Ulrich's mighty drums, the lights on the stage reveal the POETRY SLAM deLUX Finalists for 2011! The crowd roars with approval!

It's one week away! Don't miss it. The finalists are:

Cheryl Maddalena
Tara Brenner
Brenda Ray
Kristen Smith
Matthew Freeman
Leah Cronen
Elizabeth Greely
Lexy Leahy

And don't forget our super-special feature, Stephen Michael Meads and special guest-host Alex Hatter.

It's gonna be awesome.

WHAT: POETRY SLAM deLUX FINALS! w/special feature STEPHEN MICHAEL MEADS
WHEN: APRIL 18; 8pm (poets--be there no later than 7:45)
WHERE: NEUROLUX, 113 N 11th
COST: $8
AGES: 21 and up

Our Sponsors have never alienated fans by cutting their hair, turning into jerks, and suing Napster
Neurolux Lounge
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#237

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:21 pm
Subject: Update 6.19: POETRY SLAM deLUX FINALS tonight!

The stage is set and the poets have qualified for three rounds of intense competition to determine which four among them will represent Boise at the National Poetry Slam in Boston, Massachusetts. There they will not only compete against top poets from all over the world (there are teams from Canada and even France), they will also work to make the word "Massachusetts" easier to spell. The finalists are:

Cheryl Maddalena
Tara Brenner
Brenda Ray
Kristen Smith
Matthew Freeman
Leah Cronen
Elizabeth Greeley
Lexy Leahy

DO NOT MISS THIS SLAM!

What: Poetry Slam deLux FINALS with special feature STEPHEN MICHAEL MEADS and guest-host Alex Hatter
When: Monday, April 18; 8pm (poets--arrive no later than 7:45)
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $8
Ages: 21 and up

Be aware that in an effort to help fund the team's trip, an anonymous donor has offered to donate DOUBLE the amount donated to Big Tree Arts for the month of April. That means, if we get $1 in the donation jar at Finals, BTA will get $3. I'm sure we'll get more than $1. Let's aim for $100 shall we? Then the organization will get $300. Are you seeing how this works?

Then--we start the process all over again and hold our first slam for the 2011-2012 season two days later:

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop
When: Wednesday, April 20; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery; 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Thank you to our SPONSORS for another great year of competitive performance poetry in Boise!
Neurolux
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
A Mysterious Anonymous Donor (who wears a mask! and a cape!)
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#238

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Apr 20, 2011 2:45 pm
Subject: Update 6.20: It all starts over tonight! SLAM OF STEEL

Finals on Monday were amazing! Thanks to everyone who came out to support all the poets, and congratulations to Team Boise 2011: Tara Brenner (Grand Champion), Kristen Smith, Cheryl Maddalena, and Brenda Ray!

Now, the whole process starts over again, and competing poets in every slam who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd earn points to rise in the rankings and compete to be on the team that goes to Nationals next year. And it all starts at SLAM OF STEEL tonight! And, as always, we'll have a Head-to-Head Haiku competition with a $25 grand prize!

With all this talk of Nationals and Finals and rankings and prizes, let's not forget the number one reason any of us go to slams: the poetry. The work that was presented onstage on Monday was proof that the poetry in Boise is second to none. So come out to SLAM OF STEEL to see how it all gets started.

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Tonight! April 20; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Wednesday, May 4; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

And!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize
When: Monday, May 16; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

REMEMBER!
For the month of April, an anonymous donor is doubling the amount donated to Big Tree Arts (the non-profit that actually runs these things in Boise). This means that if we get $8 in the donation bucket at Steel, BTA will get $24. Imagine if we got $80? Or $567? Whoa. I just blew your mind.

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Thankee thankee to all our Sponsors!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Visual Arts Collective
An Anonymous Donor
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#239

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Apr 27, 2011 4:23 pm
Subject: Update 6.21: Quatro de Mayo

In the past, I have used this update to give occasional history lessons on various important dates. It seems that it is often this time of year that I wax historical about these things--such as the Mexican Army's victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862; the reason for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo. This year, of course, our first SLAM OF STEEL of the month falls on the fourth of May. May Fourth, or "Quatro de Mayo" in Spanish; "Fire Mai" in Norwegian and "May the Fourth" in Snobby English is the traditional day to celebrate the annual Dancing of the Marmots. For centuries, villagers all across Bavaria have dressed the large rodents in Boy Band attire and re-enacted early 2000s music videos with them, such as "Bye Bye Bye," and "Quit Playing Games with my Heart." In recent years, the custom seems to have curtailed, as the supply for pint-size pleather pants has diminished. Raul Franzlittke, the chairman of the Dancing Marmot Society, sees little hope for the future; "Unless people bring shiny pants and sugar-pop music back into style, I don't see how we can keep this tradition going much longer." There are negotiations underway, however, to change the music and fashion of the marmots to spandex cat-suits and Hair Metal. 80s group RATT has yet to comment on this development. We presume they are ecstatic.

NOW YOU KNOW!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Wednesday, May 4; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize
When: Monday, May 16; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Sponsors!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Visual Arts Collective
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#240

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed May 4, 2011 2:13 pm
Subject: Update 6.22: Workshop, Slam, and Haiku? Tonight? Don't mind if I do.

It's all happening tonight. First--a poetry workshop at 6 led by the one and only Brenda Ray. Then, a slam at 7 that will include Head-to-Head Haiku with $25 at stake. The prizes for the slam can only be described as "eye catching." Possibly "tasty." Often times "bizarre." Don't miss out!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Wednesday, May 4; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming Soon!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize
When: Monday, May 16; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Sponsors!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Neurolux Lounge
Visual Arts Collective
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#241

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon May 9, 2011 1:25 pm
Subject: Update 6.23: Suddenly Slam deLux!

Folks, it's barbeque season: that time of year when people all over the country decide to eat outside amongst the fresh air and the stinging, biting insects. You've become well-known for your contribution of pasta salad with pre-cut slivers of carrots, bits of soy-based bacon-substitute all slathered in a generous coating of mayonnaise. But why not change things up this year and replace your Suddenly Salad with Suddenly Slam? Suddenly Slam is easy to prepare: just go to Neurolux on May 16, pay $5 at the door, and allow the poets to slather you--not with mayonnaise, that would be weird--but with poetry. Suddenly Slam includes pasta shells, slivers of metaphor, and soy-based bacon-flavored simile, all coated in a light emotions sauce. It's quick, it's nutritious, and it's easy to make!

What: Poetry Slam deLux--$50 Grand Prize
When: Monday, May 16; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

Coming Soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop
When: Wednesday, May 18; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Thanks to our Sponsors, I can ramble on nearly nonsensically about picnic foods:
Neurolux Lounge
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#242

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon May 16, 2011 1:25 pm
Subject: Update 6.24: $50 Grand Prize deLux Tonight!

Folks, if you're anything like me, you've been unable to sleep lately, haunted by the memories of lost love, professional failure, and disastrous junior high dance-hall mishaps. But don't let that get you down. Come on over to Neurolux tonight at 8 to make some NEW haunting memories! Just think about how much more exciting your tossing and turning will be when you have the same things floating through your mind, just more beautiful through poetry!

What: Poetry Slam deLux--$50 Grand Prize
When: Monday, May 16; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5 at door
Ages: 21 and over

Coming Soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop
When: Wednesday, May 18; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

This isn't a Big Tree Arts event, but it is poetry. And slam. Which means, you might be interested:

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When: Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where: a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE: To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors, haunt my dreams, too, but for different reasons...
Neurolux Lounge
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#243

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed May 18, 2011 3:26 pm
Subject: Update 6.25: SLAM OF STEEL tonight!

Well, folks, it's a beautiful day at the ballpark. The sun is shining, the grass is freshly cut, and the scent of baseball is in the air! However, we seem to be missing fans today, here at the ballpark. And I don't see any players on the field either. Hmmm... let's take a look at the schedule here... yep! Just as I suspected! SLAM OF STEEL is going on TONIGHT at Woman of Steel Gallery. These surly timber-swingers and rowdy fans of the beautiful game have all gone home to practice their poetry and haiku for tonight's big prize. In fact, what am I doing here? I'd better get practicing myself!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Wednesday, May 18; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When: Wednesday, June 1; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

AND!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When: Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where: a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE: To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors play baseball like it's 1961
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#244

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed May 25, 2011 1:24 am
Subject: Update 6.26: June is a lovely time for SLAM

Technically, summer doesn't start until June 21, but we all know that, in reality, summer starts when June starts, whether you're actually out of school or the sun is in the correct position with respect to the tilt of the Earth's axis or not. June is a summer month. And so it needs summer colors. I have no idea what "summer colors" are, but I assume they are red, yellow, tangerine, and SLAM!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 1; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Coming soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 15; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

AND!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where:  Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost:  $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors wear sundresses. Really good looking sundresses.
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#245

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Jun 1, 2011 2:24 pm
Subject: Update 6.27: Poetry Time at Woman of Steel

I'm just a simple Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. I don't understand your giant metal flying machines or your glowing plastic computing boxes. Sometimes the honking horns of your traffic frighten me, and make me want to get out of my BMW and run off into the hills or... something. I was just hunting in the frozen wastes one hundred thousand years ago when I fell into a crevasse. And when scientists thawed me out, I went to law school. Even so--I find your modern world strange and frightening. It confuses me. But I know two things. First, that my client is owed substantial damages for the pain and suffering of scalding his mouth on unlabeled "hot" coffee. And second, that SLAM OF STEEL is tonight and will feature a $25 prize for the Head-to-Head Haiku Battle!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 1; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Tomorrow! (This isn't an official Big Tree Arts event, but it's poetry so you're probably interested)

What: Poetry Slam at Java in Hyde Park with Haiku round
When: Thursday, June 2; 7pm
Where: Java in Hyde Park (1612 N 13th)
Cost: No cost, discounted coffee for participants, free coffee for winners
Ages: All Ages

Coming soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 15; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

AND!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where:  Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost:  $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

(RIP Phil Hartman: Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Sketch )

Our Sponsors are entitled to no less than two million dollars in compensatory damages.
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#246

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Thu Jun 9, 2011 1:22 pm
Subject: Update 6.28: An Open Letter to Anne Hathaway

Dear Anne,
I know you've never met me, seen me, or even heard of me, but it is my strong belief that if you had ever done any of those things, you would be madly in love with me right now. Granted, I'm not all that good looking. Nor am I terribly interesting or witty in conversation. And, to be honest, I might smell a little off at the moment--but that's only because I've been chopping onions, I swear. Really, I think the best time for you to meet me would be at SLAM OF STEEL, this Wednesday, June 15. While I might not be a monument to all things attractive, each and every poet who performs there is. And, now that I'm thinking about it, so is every person in the audience. Of course, Anne, if you show up, it will be all that much more good looking (though I'm not sure how it can get more good looking than it already is). So please, dearest Anne Hathaway, allow me to use the good looks and poetic talents of other people at SLAM OF STEEL to sweep you off your feet!
Until we meet at last,
Isaac Grambo

Want to impress someone YOU'RE hopelessly and foolishly infatuated with? Bring them to SLAM OF STEEL! If it will work for me and Anne Hathaway, it will work for anyone!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 15; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

AND!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where:  Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost:  $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors are better looking than Anne Hathaway, primarily because they donate to Big Tree Arts...
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#247

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:47 pm
Subject: Update 6.29: Supplemental Announcement Re: deLux

In ONE WEEK, Poetry Slam deLux will feature HEAD-TO-HEAD IAMBIC PENTAMETER! Ten syllables of alternating emphasis of madness will be on display in multiple tournament-style rounds to determine who shall win the prize of "I-haven't-quite-thought-of-what-it-will-be-yet." Don't miss it!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#248

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:47 pm
Subject: Update 6.30: SLAM OF STEEL tonight!

"Hello and welcome to the Big Tree Arts Home Shopping Network. I'm Isaac."
"And I'm Tara."
"Folks, if you're anything like me, you stash a lot of poetic metaphors and silly haikus around your house."
"Oh, yeah, of course I do! Who doesn't?"
"Well, then you know that it can cause some serious poet problems."
"Oh, you know the kind of poet problems I've had."
"Tara, you've had some serious-ass poet problems."
"Think about it folks--you're all snuggled up in bed for the night and you hear that tell-tale 'step-step-slump, step-step-step-slump' of another drunken poet."
"He drank all your liquor! And now he's coming for your poetry! There's no turning him away! Politeness won't work! He's a freakin' POET for cryin' out loud!"
"Isaac! Calm down! That's why Big Tree Arts has developed its greatest product: the Pocket Unrequited Love Generator!"
"Folks, this handy device instantly transmits Mazzy Star's 'Fade Into You' directly into the brainwaves of any approaching poet at the push of a button!"
"This causes the poet to remember any and all painful romantic episodes or non-reciprocated heartbreak they may have had over the course of their entire lives!"
"One second, he's comin' at you like a simile-obsessed zombie, the next thing he knows, he's hunched over on the floor writing pathetic quatrains with his own tears! How do you like THAT, you stupid poet?!"
"Isaac! Jeez, you're getting a little too worked up about this... let's talk to Precious Roy!"
"THIS IS PRECIOUS ROY! A DONKEY CHASED ME IN HERE!"
"No, no... Precious. We're talking about your Pocket Unrequited Love Generator."
"... BUY MY POWDERED SPIT! SUCKERS!"

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku
When:  Wednesday, June 15; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

Wondering what the heck that was all about?
Sifl and Olly Precious Roy Skit

POETRY COMING SOON!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where:  Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost:  $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors don't need to make suckers out of any girls or boys
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#249

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:19 pm
Subject: Update 6.31: Iambic Pentameter deLux TONIGHT!

We now join Big Tree Arts modified presentation of Hamlet, already in progress:

Isaac: Get thee to a po'try slam, wouldst thou be a
breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest
but yet I could write of me such poems that it
were better my mother had not borne me: I am very
proud, metaphoric, ambitious, with more poems at
my beck than I have thoughts to put them in,
imagination to give them shape, or time to act them
in. What should such fellows as I do without
the three minutes at slams? Poets! Arrant knaves,
all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a po'try slam.
Where's your father?

Tara: At home, my lord.

Isaac: Let the doors be open'd for him. That he may play the
fool nowhere but Neurolux. Farewell.

Tara: Help him, sweet heavens!

Isaac: If thou writ'st poems, I'll give thee this plague for
thy dowry: be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as
snow, thou shalt not escape the three minute time penalty. Get thee to a
po'try slam: farewell. Or, if thou wilt needs
write, write like a fool; for wise men know well enough
what monsters you make of them. To a po'try slam
go! Quickly, too. Farewell.

What: Poetry Slam deLux with Head-to-Head Iambic Pentameter
When: Monday, June 20; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where:  Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost:  $5
Ages: 21 and over

Coming soon!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku!
When: Wednesday, July 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

And!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Big Poppa E!
When: Monday, July 18; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Of our Sponsors, all but one shall live. The rest shall keep as they are!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#250

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Jun 29, 2011 2:12 pm
Subject: Update 6.32: Capital M-E-R-I-K-U-H!

"Hi! I'm Tara Brenner! I'm an All-American Girl with a dream in her heart and a fire in her soul, and I'm here to announce my candidacy for President of the United States!"
"Tara, you can't run for President."
"Hey, now! Just what kind of gloomy-gus talk is that, Isaac? This is America! Anything is possible!"
"Really, I'm not just being pessimistic here and saying you're unelectable. Which you are, by the way, according to the latest poll numbers. You're fifteen points behind Newt Gingrich. How can you do that? His own staff won't vote for him."
"Hey! I'm really counting on the prison vote to pull me through!"
"Um... yeah. Even if prisoners could vote, you can't run for President. Legally. You're not old enough."
"WHAT!? What kind of pinko-commie-socialists are in charge here?"
"The kind that are our Founding Fathers."
"Well, crap! I couldn't vote until I was 18, couldn't drink until I was 21, and now I can't run for President until I'm..."
"Thirty-five."
"Thirty-five! I'll be dead by then!"
"Hey, at least you can go to SLAM OF STEEL. It's an All Ages Poetry Slam, PLUS a workshop, PLUS Head-to-Head Haiku with a $25 prize!"
"$25, you say? Imagine the power I would wield with that kind of cash! To hell with this President business, I'm going to SLAM OF STEEL!"

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku!
When: Wednesday, July 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*
(Since it's two days after the Fourth, if you show up wearing Red, White, and Blue, I'll give you a mint! Because I'm mint-crazy these days! Crazy, I tell you!)

And!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Big Poppa E!
When: Monday, July 18; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors can't legally run for President either, but they're the leaders of the free world of our hearts!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#251

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Jul 6, 2011 3:24 pm
Subject: Update 6.33: Minty SLAM OF STEEL tonight!

So, I wrote a really great, hilarious, historically-accurate update about how the celebration of American Independence should probably last until August 2nd due to a dispute over when the Declaration of Independence had been fully signed. But that update seems to be lost somewhere in the internet bowels of yahoogroups. So here are the high points, without context:

1. We should continue blowing up fireworks for a good solid month.
2. If you wear Red, White, and Blue to the slam tonight, I'll give you a mint.
3. Thomas Jefferson grew mint at Monticello and invented mint toothpaste, calling it "Tom's of Virginia." It was sold to an early Colgate-Palmolive subsidiary, the factory was relocated, and the product was re-named "Tom's of Maine."

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with Head-to-Head Haiku!
When: Wednesday, July 6; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

And!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Big Poppa E!
When: Monday, July 18; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

In other news...

What: Slam Poetry Night at a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS); coinciding with the opening of their thrift/consignment shop "Exposure"
When:  Thursday, July 7; 5pm
Where:  a.l.p.h.a. headquarters, 213 N 10th (10th and Bannock)
Cost: FREE!
Ages: ALL AGES!
THIS IS IMPORTANT IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE:   To enter, send e-mail to info@....

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors are perpetually lost in the bowels of the internet, but they have a sweet spaceship just like the one in Fantastic Voyage!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#252

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Tue Jul 12, 2011 8:10 pm
Subject: Update 6.34: Two! Two Updates in One!

July 18 will be the most emotionally confusing day Big Tree Arts has had in recent memory. On the one hand, it will mark the return of a beloved feature to Poetry Slam deLux, the incomparable Big Poppa E! He's funny! He's insightful! He puts on a show that will have you both laughing and crying. But not at the same time. Or, maybe... I don't know exactly what he has up his sleeve. On the other hand, July 18 will be the last slam in Boise for our beloved Tara Brenner. She's moving on to graduate school in Oklahoma. I know. Oklahoma. It doesn't make sense to me, either, but nonetheless--she's leaving. Good for her. Sad for us. So you now have two reasons to attend Poetry Slam deLux on July 18 at Neurolux and bring as many friends as possible! Big Poppa E AND Tara Brenner's farewell competition!

And! If that weren't enough, we have two! Count 'em! Two slams next week! Poetry Slam deLux AND SLAM OF STEEL! If you haven't seen the kind of talent that STEEL is breeding, now's your chance to see the future of poetry! Yeah, Brenner's on her way out, but that's probably because she's scared of Max Schaffner, Matt Freeman, Lexy Leahy, Leah Cronen, Conor Harris, Shaunathan Caron, and the other SLAM OF STEEL regulars who will straight up SCRAMBLE YOUR BRAINS! (In a good way).

Seriously, folks. Next week. Poetry. Up-side-your-head!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Big Poppa E!
When: Monday, July 18; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, July 20: workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Next Month:

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 3; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors are bereft with grief at the loss of T-Boz/Oral-B/Miss Mephistopheles/Mary Poppins Jr./Tara Brenner
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#253

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Jul 18, 2011 1:46 pm
Subject: Update 6.35: Big Poppa E and Tara Brenner's Farewell TONIGHT

Tara, why are you leaving us?
Isaac, you know I'm going to Oklahoma.
Why on earth would ANYONE go to Oklahoma?
Oh, Isaac, Oklahoma is a wonderful place, where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain--
Huh?
And the waivin' wheat can sure smell sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain!
Why are you rhyming?
Oooooooooklahoma! Every night my honey lamb and I--
"Honey-lamb?"
Sit alone and talk and watch a hawk makin' lazy circles in the sky
That sounds incredibly boring.
We know we belong to the land--
We?
--and the land we belong to is grand!
Is everyone in Oklahoma as idiotic as you are?
And when we say, "Yeeow! Ayipioeeay!"
Okay, now you're just screaming at me.
We're only sayin' you're doin' fine! Oklahoma!
Yes, that's where you're moving, though I still don't really understand why--
OKLAHOMA! OK!
Are you done?
Um... yeah, I think so.

DON'T MISS TARA BRENNER'S FINAL SLAM IN BOISE! Oh, and come see Big Poppa E, too. He's totally rad.

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Big Poppa E!
When: Monday, July 18; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

And!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, July 20: workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Next Month:

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 3; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors are going to show up in a shiny little surry with the fringe on top
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#254

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Jul 20, 2011 1:30 pm
Subject: Update 6.36: SLAM OF STEEL Slam, Haiku Battle, and Workshop

Didn't know what time it was, the lights were low-ow-ow
I leaned back on my radio-o-o
Some cat was layin' down some po-e-try, me-ta-phor:-he-said...
Then the loud sound did seem to fade-ade-ade
Come back like a slow voice on a wave of phase-ase-ase
That weren't no poet that was crazy cosmic jive...

There's a Poetry Slam, waiting in the sky!
It'd like to come and meet us,
But it thinks it'd blow our mind!
There's a Poetry Slam, at Woman of Steel!
There will be a workshop at 6,
And you can work on what you feel--
I told you:
Let the children write and,
Let the children fight and,
Let the children Haiku...

GO TO THE SLAM TONIGHT! The spirit of David Bowie compels you!
David Bowie: Starman Live

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, July 20: workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Next Month:

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 3; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize!
When: Monday, August 15; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors wear short-cut kimonos and no pants with immense amounts of stage make-up. It's totally glam!
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#255

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:39 am
Subject: Update 6.37: HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU in ONE WEEK!

It's SLAM OF STEEL, and the name of the game is HEAD-to-HEAD HAIKU! What does that mean, you ask? It means that we award a $25 prize to whomsoever beats all other Haikusters in head-to-head match ups as decided by the three judges who volunteer most excitedly. Yeah, there's a regular "scores-type" slam, too. And there are prizes for that as well. I find those prizes at Winco, or Jackson's, or Joe's House of Beads. You want those prizes, too, surely. But $25 is $25, and in today's economy, that is equal to $25! Whoa! So get yourself a collection of 17-syllable haiku and get to Woman of Steel Gallery next Wednesday, August 3 for SLAM OF STEEL and the one-and-only HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU deathmatch!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 3; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Later this month!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize!
When: Monday, August 15; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Without Sponsors, I couldn't carry on...
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#256

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Aug 3, 2011 6:14 pm
Subject: Update 6.38: JG SLAM OF STEEL tonight

Do you receive long-term payments or an annuity, have a structured settlement, or just can't wait until payday to purchase that much-needed emergency item? Are you having trouble paying off your pizza bills or getting little Jimmy that grocery-store gift card? Don't go to a payday loan place--those are full of sharks and bandits. And for heaven's sake! Don't go to JG Wentworth! It only encourages him to make those horrible commercials. NO! YOU DON'T NEED THEM! You just need to win the HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU BATTLE at SLAM OF STEEL! And what luck! It's tonight!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU!
When: Wednesday, Aug. 3; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Later this month!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize!
When: Monday, August 15; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Without Sponsors, I couldn't carry on...
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#257

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Aug 8, 2011 2:47 pm
Subject: Update 6.39: New Work Slam deLux in one week!

Folks, today Tara Brenner, Cheryl Maddalena, Kristen Smith, and Brenda Ray are making their way to Boston, Massachusetts to both compete in the National Poetry Slam AND teach that state how to spell its name in a less confusing way. They have practiced, polished, spit-shined, and honed their poems to fine and sharp pointy-toothed daggers of poetical power, and we wish them the best of luck. But next week's slams, both Poetry Slam deLux (Monday, August 15 at Neurolux!) and SLAM OF STEEL (Wednesday, August 17 at Woman of Steel), will not be rewarding the polished, the honed, the tried-and-true. NO, I TELL YOU! Next week's slams will reward the un-polished, the adventurous souls, the NEW! Many venues across the country refer to this as a "New S**t Slam," but I'm not going to call it that. While you can certainly use the word so cleverly disguised here by the use of two asterisks (because we at Big Tree Arts NEVER censor for content), I will not. Because I'm typing this in my parent's house and I'm still afraid that if they see me even THINK of a swear word I'll have to brush my teeth with liquid Dial again...

But I digress! For both of next week's slams, NEW POETS (those performing for the first time on our stage) will automatically earn one extra point per poem! If you've been coming to slams for years, months, or never and have been secretly plotting in the back of your mind to commandeer our stage and show us all how it's done, now is the time to act! Not to leave out those of you who have been loyally performing and sharing your souls with us for years, ANY poem that is performed that has never been performed in competition in Boise before will ALSO earn one extra point! Now, this is admittedly geared toward the new poets. If they perform, they'll get one point for standing there and one point for reading something we've never heard before, while regular poets will not get that point for standing there. If a new poet scores a perfect 30 from the judges, he or she will actually get a 32, while a regular earning a 30 from judges will instead earn a 31. To those of you regulars who are whining, stop it. It's annoying and, quite frankly, repulsive. Just write really good new poems, that's all you have to do. But I'll sweeten the deal a little bit for you, regulars. If you BRING a new poet who performs, you will get an additional extra point on your first poem (which would get you a 32 in that hypothetical "perfect score" scenario). You just have to see me before the slam (WITH the poet you've brought) and I'll make sure the points are added.

Holy crap this is convoluted! If you have questions, email me. I probably won't answer, but you'll feel like you've at least yelled at me. Whatever you do, show up to the slams. Bring your poet friends. Bring your other friends. Bring strange hobos off the street! It'll be exciting as all get out!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize! NEW POET APPRECIATION SLAM! (New poets earn one extra point, new poems also earn one extra point)
When: Monday, August 15; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

AND!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop! (Also!) NEW POET APPRECIATION SLAM! (New poets earn one extra point, new poems also earn one extra point)
When: Wednesday, August 17; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Sponsors, earn infinite extra points in my heart...
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#258

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Mon Aug 15, 2011 2:25 pm
Subject: Update 6.40: NEW POET Appreciation Slam deLux TONIGHT

Hey, Isaac! What's this "New Poet Appreciation" stuff all about?
Well, little Jimmy, tonight we'll award an extra point to each poet who performs a poem they've never read at a slam before.
Oh.
And we'll also award an extra point to any poet who has never competed at a Boise slam before.
Oh.
AND we'll award an extra point to regular poets who BRING new poets who perform.
Well, you're just giving points away, aren't you?
I don't know if it's giving them away, per se. It's mostly an effort to entice new poets who might have been too nervous to compete before now.
Whatever, you're giving them away. You're a communist.
Jimmy--you're seven years old. Do you even know what a communist is?
I sure do. My dad told me all about them. They're mean and come from Russia and want to force you to get health care and put flouride in your water and contaminate your precious bodily fluids.
And communists give things away, do they?
Yes.
So... Santa Clause is a communist?
Russian? Check. Mean? He keeps lists... that sounds pretty mean to me. And I don't know about you, but I'm always getting toothpaste and shampoo and crap like that in my stocking. I'd say he's probably putting something in our water when we aren't looking. Plus, he wears red. That's a sure sign of communism.
Well, if you write a poem about Santa Clause the Communist, you'll get an extra point tonight.
You can keep your point, commie. I'll beat everyone without it. That's how great my poetry is.

Don't let little Jimmy win. Come compete tonight!

What: Poetry Slam deLux with $50 Grand Prize! NEW POET APPRECIATION SLAM! (New poets earn one extra point, new poems also earn one extra point)
When: Monday, August 15; sign-ups at 7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

AND!

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop! (Also!) NEW POET APPRECIATION SLAM! (New poets earn one extra point, new poems also earn one extra point)
When: Wednesday, August 17; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors have been Ayn Rand-ed, nearly branded communists 'cause they're left handed. That's the hand you use, well, never mind...
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

#259

From: "igrambo" <igrambo@...>
Date: Wed Aug 17, 2011 2:35 pm
Subject: Update 6.41: SLAM OF STEEL: New Poet Appreciation, Haiku, Workshop TONIGHT!

The first known use of the word "doughnut" was 1809, according to Merriam-Webster Online. Yes, I'm spelling it correctly. You might be familiar with the lazy spelling "donut," which is also technically "correct," but only because it's so ubiquitous. How many other words have changed spelling over time to the "easier" version? "Mustache" is a technically correct version of "moustache," though both are okay. Canadians spell "check" with a "q." "Cheque." They're crazy. Will other shortcuts soon be accepted? How many times will I use "quotation marks" in an ironic way in one poetry update?

This is all somehow the fault of poets, I'm sure of it. Come see the new poets and the new poetry at SLAM OF STEEL to find out how you'll be spelling words like "Krugerrand" in the future! TONIGHT ONLY! New poets will earn one extra point, and new poems will also earn one extra point.

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop! (Also!) NEW POET APPRECIATION SLAM! (New poets earn one extra point, new poems also earn one extra point)
When: Wednesday, August 17; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES!*

Coming Soon1

What: SLAM OF STEEL All Ages Poetry Slam and Workshop with HEAD-TO-HEAD HAIKU
When: Wednesday, Sept. 7; workshop at 6, SLAM@7!
Where: Woman of Steel Gallery, 3640 Chinden
Cost: $5 ($1 w/Student ID)
Ages: ALL AGES*

And!

What: Poetry Slam deLux featuring Marc Marcel
When: Monday, September 19; sign-ups at7:30, SLAM@8!
Where: Neurolux Lounge, 113 N 11th
Cost: $5
Ages: 21 and over

*ALL Big Tree Arts events are FREE SPEECH events. Discretion is advised.

Our Sponsors will soon be spelled "spncers"
Woman of Steel Gallery
Visual Arts Collective
Bueno Cheapo Vino
Boise City Department of Arts and History
Idaho Commission on the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts

Reply | Messages in this Topic (1)

Messages 230 - 259 of 331 Oldest | < Older | Newer > | Newest

Messages

Start Topic
Just address an email to boisepoetry@yahoogroups.com

Jump to a particular message

Search Messages Advanced

Copyright � 2010 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Guidelines NEW - Help