Los Angeles Semi Final Bout #1

I say, I say, I say DAMN! Let me tell you... though Slam may by definition be a competition, Monday's Semi Final bout proved that it's not a game. 9 poets took the stage to earn 1 of 5 coveted slots in the Finals, and they were not playing around. It was a brawl that ended in a 3 way tie and a sudden death round. I think someone lost an eye. Where do I begin???

I guess the beginning is a good place to start. First off, despite the rain and the Laker game it was a packed house. The energy was crazy, the audience was loud and lovely, the judges were stern faced, and the evening's hostess, Judy Holiday had on her Bad Bitch heels. We had some awesome poets in the audience that showed up just to support, and a few that blessed us with some of their work as the night's calibrators. We want to thank Donny Jackson, Francois, Fisseha, and Tammy Vaitai for starting our rounds off right.

Our lovely Score/Time Keeper and Resident Slam Veteran, Cayenne

DJ Just Boom kept us entertained between poets, Cayenne kept score, and Naomi worked the door, collecting donations that will fund the team's trip to Nationals. At the end of the night, Charlene "Hustle Diva" Green, Artus Mansoir, and the evening's underdog, Nick Mecedo, found themselves in a 3 way tie with only 2 slots available for Finals. The audience demanded a 4th round, and the tied poets went at it. When the smoke cleared, Artus and Nick were left standing and join April Rojas, Nikki Blak, and Daniel Weingarten as the 5 poets advancing to Finals.

Poetic Wizard, Daniel Weingarten

Cumulative Scores for the Evening

April Rojas 87.8

Nikki Blak86.5

Daniel Weingarten 85.4

Artus Mansoir 84.6 (3rd round: 29.6)

Nick Macedo 84.6 (3rd round: 29.3)

We want to thank the other poets in the bout. We appreciate your hard work and thank you for making this slam the hellified shit. We look forward to May 24th's Semi Final Bout. The following poets will be competing for the remaining 5 spots in Finals:

Mr. Poetic

Treesje

Judy Holiday

Rel8

Francois

Matt Sedillio

Paul Mabon

Damnyo

Leon P.

If you missed Bout #1, we seriously suggest that you bring your ass out to the 2nd one, cause it looks like it's gonna be a banger, kids.

BRASS KNUCKLES

@Kaos

4343 Leimert Park Blvd

LA, CA

8:30pm

$5