leaf blog
Poetry

PoetMay10web

"I am finally and officially a "leafer.” LEAF is a thing of beauty. The poetry slam was absolutely incredible! Many thanks!" -Micah Jean Massey

October 2012 SLAM was Videotaped in full! Click on their name in sidebar to see one of their many poems they performed during the final SLAM.
#1 Jonida “Gypsee Yo” Beqo Winning Remarks
Gypsee Yo's 5th Poem


"We are all pulse and sweat, tissue and nerve ending. We are programmed to grope and fumble until we get it right."
Gabe Moses Quote from Poem that won him 3rd place!

SouthernFriedBSouthern Fried LEAF Poetry Slam
"LEAF Poetry Slam opened me up to bigger dreams- I was MONUMENTALLY INSPIRED. I sat for 6 hours in one chair toward the front and could not stop crying as i listened to 'rip your heart out' poems. I would wipe the tears from my face and wait eagerly for the next one."  Terri| Atlanta

Poetry is one of the oldest arts and creative paths of expression. LEAF creates a poetic scenario to explore words and poetry in several ways: performances, slams, and interactive workshops. So speak out. The Poetry Slam has swept the nation and The Leaf Slam is one of the best. Nationally recognized poets & daring novices descend on LEAF to blaze like meteors day and night taking you on a journey. It's high energy! It's real! It's authentic! It's poetry! It's fun. Come, be part of it.

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Slammaster & Poetic Host, James Navé
PoetNaveIntroweb
James Nave' brings more than twenty years of experience to the craft of presenting poetry on stage. He is one of the cofounders of Poetry Alive!
and has been active of the Poetry Slam community since 1991. In addition, he has memorized over 600 poems and performed thousands of shows in the U.S. and abroad. With Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, James has co-produced and co-taught the Artist’s Way Creativity Camps. He currently leads The Imaginative Storm Creativity Retreats with fellow writer, Allegra Huston. Nave' holds his MFA in poetry from Vermont College. He splits his time between NYC, Asheville and Taos.

LEAF in Schools & Streets Youth Poetry SLAM

PoetTeenGal_copyThe Youth Slam!, hosted by young vibrant Poet SIMON WOLF,  is looking to be another show of sound and fury, and laughs, and silence... the Youth have plenty to say about a lot of things, including where we think We're headed! Come out to LEAFlet Kids Village Saturday late afternoon, and hear a piece of fortune or participate as a random audience judge! ANY KID MAY ENTER- check schedule & sign up just before SLAM.

" I was SO impressed by all of those young poets! Thanks!" Emily

“Thank YOU so much for giving these kids a VOICE....I just love it! ” Beth

From May 2012 "The Youth Slam was a great success.  We had 17 poets compete, of which 11 were from WordSlam.  12 schools were represented.  We also had four 18-year-old Wordslam poets compete in the adult slam.  3 made it to the final evening round, and one – Matthew Kerber – placed fifth and got a standing ovation from the audience." -Beth McDonough, LEAF in Schools & Streets Youth Slam Coordinator

YOUTH POETRY SLAM Glimpse on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ4uvtpo6Aw&feature=share

LEAF Poetry SLAM Details & How to Enter

Entrance fee for LEAF Slam includes SATURDAY admission to all festival events: $39-52. Buy early for discounts. ALL tickets must be bought in advance. Tickets do sell out.  All TICKETS that include Saturday at LEAF include SLAM entrance fee.  Buy TICKETS on web or call 828|68-MUSIC (686-8742).

Poetry SLAM events happen in Eden Cabaret Hall on Saturday of the festival.
Sign up by Eden Hall Stage Saturday 1-1:45
Qualifying Round: 2-4pm | SLAM Finals Saturday Night: 8:30-11pm

Prizes include ( $$ & total winning $$ depends on how much the house bids up & donations):
1st Place: $$1000 + next LEAF PERFORMER weekend pass (Fri-Sun)
2nd & 3rd Place: $$ + next LEAF PERFORMER weekend pass  
($250 value. Includes food. Guest is NOT included. )
4th•5th•6th•7th• 8th Place: $ + next LEAF weekend pass (Fri-Sun)  
($120 value. Does NOT include food/Guest.)

SouthernFriedB
LEAF Poetry SLAM

Details & How to Enter
scroll down to bottom of page

1st Place
SLAM Prize $1000
+ house raisin' $$ !

LEAF's 35th Poetry Slam
October  2012 Winners!
Click to see one of their "Slam" Poems
#1 Jonida “Gypsee Yo” Beqo | Kennespaw, GA
#2 Ed Mabrey
#3 Chris August
#4 Theresa Davis | Atlanta, GA
#5 Jerri Hardesty | Brierfield, AL
#6 Stefen Micko
#7 Starr | Knoxville, TN
#8 Christopher Baker (CB)
#9 Jessicah Kean
#10 Gabe Moses
#11 CP Maze
#12 Jim Dwyer | St. Petersburg, FL
#13 Alley Cat
#14 Justin Blackburn

LEAF's 34th Poetry Slam

May 2012 Winners!
#1 Carlos Robson  Cashiers, NC
#2 Theresa Davis Atlanta, GA
#3 Gabe Moses
#4 Christopher Baker (CB)
#5 Matt Kerber
#6 CP Maze
#7 Quentin Talley (Q)
#8 Jerri Hardesty
#9 Malki
#10  Samuel Eddie
#11  Jack Rickman
#12 Chloe Hamilton


LEAF in Schools & Streets YOUTH Slam
May 2012 Winners Middle School
#1 Sam Bible-Sullivan, AVL Middle
#2 Raven McKnight, ArtSpace
#3 Katie Bell, Owen Middle
May 2012 Winners High School
#1 Shanita Jackson, Blue Ridge Early College
#2 Dakota Onder, AVL High
#3 Rachel Carrol, Porter Ridge

LEAF's 33rd Poetry Slam

October 2011 Winners!
#1 Ed Mabrey, Charlotte NC
#2 CP Maze
#3tie Jim Dwyer, St Petersburg FL
#3tie Jerri Hardesty, Brierfield AL
#5 Gabe Moses Win, Atlanta GA
#6 Malika Hadley Freydberg, College Park GA
#7 Christopher “CB” Baker
#8 Emma Erbath, Asheville NC
#9 Lee Miller, Murfreesboro TN
#10 Billy Green, Asheville NC
#11 Eden Holmes, Brentwood TN

LEAF in Schools & Streets
YOUTH Slam October 2011 Winners

#1 Nita Jackson, 9th Grade Henderson Co. Early College
#2 Liam Kelly Black, 9th Grade SILSA
#3 Dakota Beane, 12th Grade  AVL High


LEAF's 32nd Poetry Slam

May 2011 Winners!
#1 Chris August, Baltimore, MD
#2 Theresa Davis, Atlanta, GA
#3 Carlos Robson, Cashiers, NC  
#4 Ayodele Heath  
#5  Twain Dooley
#6 Reneé (Copperhead Red) Hickman  
#7 Christopher Baker (CB)
#8 Kevin Barger
#9 Gus Wood
#10 Jerri Hardesty
#11 Emily Nicole Green
#12 Monica Nolan
#13 Karen Garrabrant
#14 Alex Allen
#15 Kathleen McKelligott


LEAF's 31st Poetry Slam
October 2010
#1 Carlos Robson • Cashiers, NC
#2 Theresa Davis • Atlanta, GA
#3 Graham Hackett • Asheville, NC
#4 Gregg Bee
#5 Kevin Barger
#6 Christopher Barker
#7 Darnell Fine
#8 Kapia McNary
#9 Jason Failing
#10 Andi Kauth
#11 Griffin Payne
#12 Gus Wood
#13 Karin Garrab
#14 Jesse Moore


LEAF's 30th Poetry Slam
May2010
#1 Winner Andi Kauth • Chicago, IL
#2 Twain Dooley • Baltimore, MD
#3 Carlos Robson • Cashiers, NC
#4 Theresa Davis • Atlanta, GA
#5 Chris August • Baltimore, MD
#6 Starr • Charlotte, NC
#7 Quentin Talley • Charlotte, NC
#8 Kevin Barger
#9 Jim Dwyer
#10 Renaissance
#11 Gus Wood
#12 Jerri Hardesty
#13 CB
#14 Darnell Fine
#15 Malika Hardey
#16 Daine Woodward
#17 Graham Hackett
#18 Mikaela Sheldt
#19 Nina Maire
#20 Autumn
#21 Justin Blackburn

"Andi's life will likely be changed because of her win. It was a watershed moment for her as her family stood by with roars of support. The competition was at its best and she spoke up and out to bring home the win!" - Nave
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