LGBTQ poets are preparing to battle until the best wordsmith emerges in the first Queer Resurgence on Capitol Hill Poetry Festival.
Seattle Poetry Slam is launching the new festival featuring a poetry slam competition, panel discussions, and workshops Sunday through Tuesday.
Ebo Barton, booking and events coordinator for Seattle Poetry Slam, said the festival was born from the effects of Capitol Hill changing and the desire to bring art and an LGBTQ presence back.
Barton told CHS there’s been a lot of positive feedback about the event, and many are looking forward to the workshops.
“Folks are really excited to have these actual conversations while doing art … in a place where we feel as comfortable as we can,” Barton said.
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While the festival is about LGBTQ poetry and art, it’s also about providing queer people with a safe place.
“I think one of the major things that I want people to take away (from the festival) is to remember that queer space is important,” Barton said.
The poetry bouts are expected to finish around 9:30 PM each evening, so the organization also plans to have safe walk home teams.
24 LGBTQ poets will be participating in the festival. “A lot of folks have been emailing me saying this is their first time doing this,” Barton said.
Preliminary bouts on Sunday and Monday will take place at the Wildrose and Gay City’s Calamus Auditorium. Doors at each location will open at 6 PM.
The top poets advancing to the final bout on Tuesday at Rebar.
The winner will get $1,000. Second place will take away $500, and third will get $250.
The event is open to all ages. Volunteers and donations are also welcome and can apply here.
The event is being funded in part with matching funds from the city that went to support 24 neighborhood-initiated projects. Of the total $501,415 Mayor Ed Murray announced in November would be doled out, Seattle Poetry Slam received $15,000. Other sponsors include the Pride Foundation, Lost Lake Cafe & Lounge, and Minor Arcana Press.
Seattle Poetry Slam has been around for 25 years and has called Rebar home for the last five. The organization puts on a weekly show every Tuesday at 7 PM at Rebar.
