Slam is in effect in Eugene, and in a new venue! Head down tonight for the Eugene Poetry Slam, kicking off at 7:30 in its new location at the just-opened Fenario Gallery, 881 Willamette:
- 7:30 – ?
- $5 cover
- All ages welcome
- Separate 21+ section with beer and wine available
- Open mic — bring your own poetry, on paper or in your memory and perform like mad
- Feature: Jamie Kilstein
See below for the release, from new mistress of slam Jorah…
This Saturday, Nov.18th the Eugene Poetry Slam will continue with the second round of poetic competition in its exciting new home, The Fenario Gallery. This month the slam is proud to welcome acclaimed New York slam champion Jamie Kilstein who will give a featured performance to kick off the evening. (Please see Jamie’s bio below for more information).
As it continues to evolve and grow, the Eugene Poetry Slam is better than ever. The Eugene slam is the place for great local poets, a lively audience, and nationally renowned guest spoken word artists. The slam kicks off with an open mic, followed by the featured poet of the evening and then on to the competition.
Slam is the competitive performance of spoken word. It generally combines elements of theatre with the more traditional poetry reading, which makes for riveting and moving performances. But, as many slam veterans will tell you, slam is really about getting people interested and involved in poetry.
The Eugene Poetry Slam is open to all and is judged by volunteers from the audience. We are affiliated with Poetry Slam, Inc. and follow the national slam rules. Guests can sign up for the open mic, to be a judge, or to compete. Sign up begins at 7:30 and the show starts at 8pm. The competition happens in two rounds and the top three poets win cash prizes and a spot in the Play-Offs in April. From the Play-Offs, poets can qualify for the Finals in May and compete for a chance to be part of the next Eugene Slam Team that participates in the National Poetry Slam every year.
The Eugene Poetry Slam is funded in part by the Lane Arts Council, which has been kind enough to support us with grants for the past five years.
This Month’s Featured Poet: Jamie Kilstein
"I have never seen someone move so far so fast. Jamie Kilstein has taken over the poetry slam." – Taylor Mali (HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, Slamnation)
"Self-assured, stylish and very funny!"- Mark Doty ( Poet. Everywhere.)
"Kilstein’s a funny F%$&K"- Doug Stanhope (Comedy Central and The Aristocrats)
At the age of 24 Jamie Kilstein has become one of New York City’s top slam poets. He is touring internationally and was recently a featured headliner at the Brighton Arts Festival in England alongside authors such as Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club) and Irvine Welsh (Trainspotting). Jamie will also be featured in the largest French Newspaper Le Monde this summer.
After making a living with stand-up comedy, he quickly exiled himself after the war due to political censorship. Because — to quote a club owner– "The people don’t come here to think….they come here to drink." While working the stand up circuit, he worked with stand-up greats, such as: Dave Chapelle, Lewis Black, Marc Maron, Doug Stanhope, and Dave Attell. Jamie has been featured on MNN/PBS 102.7 WNEW NEW YORK, the syndicated Ron and Fez show, the Boston Comedy Festival, and the New York Underground Comedy Festival. His writing has been published in Mcsweeney’s literary journal and the upcoming "Still Not Making a Living as a Poet?" (National release — summer of 07.)
This year he qualified in all three New York City slam poetry finals including: The Bowery Poetry Club’s URBANA team, The LOUDER ARTS team, and The Nuyorican Poets team. He will represent Urbana as Grandslam Champion in the 2006 National Poetry Championship in Austin, Texas, and will be featured on the 2006 Best Of Urbana CD.
He has somehow managed to find a career that pays less than standup comedy, but now has a book, CD and soon-to-be DVD. He has no idea how his wife hasn’t left him and his parents still support him. (Please Note: photo is also attached in separate file)
JAMIE KILSTEIN RESUME
TELEVISION
Deliberately Incorrect MNN/PBS Panalist
RADIO (More on request)
The syndicated Ron and Fez show 102.7 WNEW NYC Featured Guest
The Dudley and Bob Show 93.7 KLBJ AUSTIN TX Featured Guest
THEATER/ SLAM POETRY
2006 NYC Urbana Grand Slam Champion NYC
2006 NYC Urbana National Team Member NYC
2006 Finalist Nuyurican National Slam Team NYC
2006 Finalist Louder Arts National Slam Team NYC
Headliner — Brighton Arts Fringe Festival Brighton, England
Headliner National and International slam venues ( List available on request)
NEW YORK CITY/ NATIONAL COMEDY CLUBS (Full list on request)
Carolines On Broadway NYC, NY
Comic Strip Live NYC, NY
Stand Up NY NYC, NY
New York City Improv NYC, NY
New York Comedy Club NYC, NY
Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort UNCASSVILLE, CT
Catch A Rising Star PRINCETON, NJ
Rascals Comedy Club WEST ORANGE, and CHERRY HILL NJ
Cap City Comedy Club AUSTIN, TX
The Ice House PASADENA CA
Comedy Vault CAMBRIDGEMA
Comedy Studio BOSTON, MA
Nicks Comedy Stop BOSTON, MA
FESTIVALS
3rd Annual Boston Comedy Festival
2004 New York City UnderGround Comedy Festival
WRITING
Mcsweeney’s April 2006 "What god does in her spare time"
Still Not making a living as a poet? Contributing writer. Small Skull Press Summer 2007
www.foundrymusic.com "Opie and Anthony Show"
www.scrypticstudios.com Comic book Journalist
