Poetry Slam – AZpoetry.com

Body Slam Poetry

Every 1st Monday of the month | 6:30pm | Phoenix Quaker Meeting House

Get ready for an electrifying night of live poetry at Body Slam, a high-energy slam event where poets go head-to-head and the audience decides who comes out on top.

🗓 Date: Every First Monday of the Month
⏰ Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Phoenix Quaker Meeting House
🎟 Admission: $10 at the door

Body Slam brings a unique head-to-head match format to the stage, pitting poets against each other in a series of rounds where you, the audience, determine the winner through applause. Come ready to cheer, react, and get loud for your favorite performances.

Hosted by Skyelyn Riggs-Davis, this event showcases poetry that is raw, performative, and deeply engaging. The intimate setting of the Quaker Meeting House creates the perfect atmosphere to experience every word, every pause, and every powerful moment up close.

Whether you’re a longtime poetry fan or new to the slam scene, Body Slam offers a dynamic and unforgettable evening of spoken word.

Join us for a night where poetry meets performance—and the crowd decides it all.

Tucson Poetry Slam

Tucson Poetry Slam — Arizona State Qualifier

Saturday, May 31 • The Coalition • Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Poetry Slam returns this month with one of the official 2026 Arizona State Poetry Slam Qualifiers — an unforgettable night of competition, community, and powerful spoken word.

Hosted at The Coalition on 4th Avenue, this special event brings together poets from across Arizona for a chance to advance toward the 2026 Arizona State Poetry Slam Finals.

The top two poets from this qualifier will move on to compete against finalists from seven other statewide qualifiers at the Arizona State Finals on June 10, 2026, hosted by Ghost Poetry Show.

The eventual state champion will go on to represent Arizona at the 2026 BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam in Kansas City, Missouri, taking place July 23–26, 2026.

Competition Details

This qualifier roster will be capped at 12 competing poets, with spots awarded on a first come, first served basis.

12 official competition slots available
13th signup becomes the sacrificial poet for the evening
Slam poets are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot

Expect a night filled with high-energy performances, emotional honesty, fierce artistry, and community celebration.

Featured Poet: TonTon

This month’s feature is the incredible TonTon, an inspiring poet and performer traveling down from the Phoenix area to share their work and presence with the Tucson community.

Known for powerful writing and captivating performances, TonTon brings a voice that is deeply human, emotionally resonant, and unforgettable on stage.

Event Details

Event: Tucson Poetry Slam — 2026 Arizona State Qualifier
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2026
Location: The Coalition — Tucson, Arizona
Competition Cap: 12 poets
Feature: TonTon

Come support Arizona poetry, witness some of the state’s strongest spoken word artists, and experience a night where every voice matters.

Ghost Poetry Show Poetry Slam

Ghost Poetry Show | June 10, 2026 | The Rebel Lounge

Step into a night of fierce competition, electric performances, and unforgettable poetry at the Ghost Poetry Show Poetry Slam —where the stage belongs to bold voices and the crowd helps decide who rises to the top.

🗓 Date: June 10, 2026
⏰ Time: Doors at 7:00 PM | Show at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: The Rebel Lounge
🎟 Admission: $10 advance | $12 day of show (+ fees)
🔞 Age: 21+

This high-energy poetry slam features 15 poets competing for cash prizes, with winners determined by five randomly selected audience judges. Expect a dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere where performance, passion, and originality take center stage.

Slam poetry is about more than competition—it’s about growth. In this environment, poets are encouraged to sharpen their craft, build confidence, and connect with an engaged audience. If you think poetry is quiet or reserved, think again—this show redefines it entirely.

Hosted at The Rebel Lounge, a beloved Phoenix music venue with deep roots (formerly home to The Mason Jar), the space adds an intimate, high-impact backdrop to the night. The venue was reimagined in 2015 by Stephen Chilton of Psyko Steve Presents, helping shape it into a cornerstone of the city’s live performance scene.

Want to take the stage? Sign up to compete by emailing GhostPoetryShow@gmail.com.

Whether you’re coming to perform or just to witness the intensity, Ghost Poetry Show promises a night that will completely transform how you experience poetry.

Ghost Poetry Show Poetry Slam

Ghost Poetry Show | May 27, 2026 | The Rebel Lounge

Step into a night of fierce competition, electric performances, and unforgettable poetry at the Ghost Poetry Show—where the stage belongs to bold voices and the crowd helps decide who rises to the top.

🗓 Date: May 13, 2026
⏰ Time: Doors at 7:00 PM | Show at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: The Rebel Lounge
🎟 Admission: $10 advance | $12 day of show (+ fees)
🔞 Age: 21+

This high-energy poetry slam features 15 poets competing for cash prizes, with winners determined by five randomly selected audience judges. Expect a dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere where performance, passion, and originality take center stage.

Slam poetry is about more than competition—it’s about growth. In this environment, poets are encouraged to sharpen their craft, build confidence, and connect with an engaged audience. If you think poetry is quiet or reserved, think again—this show redefines it entirely.

Hosted at The Rebel Lounge, a beloved Phoenix music venue with deep roots (formerly home to The Mason Jar), the space adds an intimate, high-impact backdrop to the night. The venue was reimagined in 2015 by Stephen Chilton of Psyko Steve Presents, helping shape it into a cornerstone of the city’s live performance scene.

Want to take the stage? Sign up to compete by emailing GhostPoetryShow@gmail.com.

Whether you’re coming to perform or just to witness the intensity, Ghost Poetry Show promises a night that will completely transform how you experience poetry.

Sedona Poetry Slam

June 6, 2026 | Mary D Fisher Theater

The final Poetry Slam of the season — the Grand Slam — arrives Saturday, June 6. Performance poets will bring high-energy, competitive spoken word to Sedona’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre starting at 7:30 p.m. Performance poets bring high-energy, competitive spoken word at 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Click on the BUY TICKETS link to the right or visit the theatre box office.

Audience members can expect everything from heartfelt confessions to biting political satire, as poets compete for cash prizes and a chance to represent Sedona at statewide competitions.

A poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays, judged by the audience. Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists.

Poets come from as far away as Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff, competing against local poets from Sedona and Cottonwood, college poets from Northern Arizona University and youth poets from Verde Valley high schools. All types of poetry are welcome on the stage, from street-wise hip-hop and narrative performance poems, to political rants and introspective confessionals. Any poem is a “slam” poem if performed in a competition. All poets get three minutes per round to entertain and inspire the audience with their creativity.

Anyone can sign up to compete in the slam for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. To compete in the slam, poets will need three original poems, each lasting no longer than three minutes. No props, costumes nor musical accompaniment are permitted. The poets are judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam.

Poets interested in competing may email foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up by the Friday before the slam, or sign up at the door the day of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive.

For more information, visit sedonafilmfestival.com or foxthepoet.blogspot.com.

Ghost Poetry Show Poetry Slam

Ghost Poetry Show | May 13, 2026 | The Rebel Lounge

Step into a night of fierce competition, electric performances, and unforgettable poetry at the Ghost Poetry Show—where the stage belongs to bold voices and the crowd helps decide who rises to the top.

🗓 Date: May 13, 2026
⏰ Time: Doors at 7:00 PM | Show at 7:30 PM
📍 Where: The Rebel Lounge
🎟 Admission: $10 advance | $12 day of show (+ fees)
🔞 Age: 21+

This high-energy poetry slam features 15 poets competing for cash prizes, with winners determined by five randomly selected audience judges. Expect a dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere where performance, passion, and originality take center stage.

Slam poetry is about more than competition—it’s about growth. In this environment, poets are encouraged to sharpen their craft, build confidence, and connect with an engaged audience. If you think poetry is quiet or reserved, think again—this show redefines it entirely.

Hosted at The Rebel Lounge, a beloved Phoenix music venue with deep roots (formerly home to The Mason Jar), the space adds an intimate, high-impact backdrop to the night. The venue was reimagined in 2015 by Stephen Chilton of Psyko Steve Presents, helping shape it into a cornerstone of the city’s live performance scene.

Want to take the stage? Sign up to compete by emailing GhostPoetryShow@gmail.com.

Whether you’re coming to perform or just to witness the intensity, Ghost Poetry Show promises a night that will completely transform how you experience poetry.

PHX Poetry Slam

PHX Poetry Slam hosted by B-Jam

May 15, 2026 | 7:30pm | Meraki Kava Bar

Experience the energy, intensity, and community of live competitive poetry at the PHX Poetry Slam, a long-running tradition that brings powerful voices to the stage.

🗓 Date: May 15
⏰ Time: Show starts at 7:30 PM sharp
📍 Where: Meraki Kava Bar
🎟 Admission: Check with venue

Poetry slams have deep roots. The modern format began in 1986, created by Marc Smith at a Chicago jazz club, and quickly spread across the country—finding a vibrant home in cities like New York and, since the 1990s, right here in Phoenix.

At PHX Poetry Slam, poets take the stage to perform original work and compete for the crowd’s favor. Expect an evening of dynamic, emotional, and thought-provoking performances where every voice brings something unique.

We value freedom of expression, and as such, this event does not censor content. Please note there is a blanket trigger warning for all performances. At the same time, we are committed to fostering a space rooted in respect, equity, and empowerment—one that encourages dialogue and stands firmly against marginalization in any form.

Hosted at Meraki Kava Bar—part of the House of MK AZ—this venue offers more than just a place to gather. It’s a thoughtfully created environment centered on slowing down, connecting, and being present, making it a perfect setting for an evening of meaningful art and community.

Join us for a night where poetry, performance, and purpose come together.

Body Slam Poetry

May 4, 2026 | 6:30pm | Phoenix Quaker Meeting House

Get ready for an electrifying night of live poetry at Body Slam, a high-energy slam event where poets go head-to-head and the audience decides who comes out on top.

🗓 Date: May 4, 2026
⏰ Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM
📍 Where: Phoenix Quaker Meeting House
🎟 Admission: $10 at the door

Body Slam brings a unique head-to-head match format to the stage, pitting poets against each other in a series of rounds where you, the audience, determine the winner through applause. Come ready to cheer, react, and get loud for your favorite performances.

Hosted by Skyelyn Riggs-Davis, this event showcases poetry that is raw, performative, and deeply engaging. The intimate setting of the Quaker Meeting House creates the perfect atmosphere to experience every word, every pause, and every powerful moment up close.

Whether you’re a longtime poetry fan or new to the slam scene, Body Slam offers a dynamic and unforgettable evening of spoken word.

Join us for a night where poetry meets performance—and the crowd decides it all.

Sedona Poetry Slam

May 9, 2026 | Mary D Fisher Theater

The Sedona Poetry Slam returns to the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in West Sedona for a poetry slam on Saturday, May 9. Performance poets bring high-energy, competitive spoken word at 7:30 p.m.Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door. Click on the BUY TICKETS link to the right or visit the theatre box office.

Audience members can expect everything from heartfelt confessions to biting political satire, as poets compete for cash prizes and a chance to represent Sedona at statewide competitions.

A poetry slam is like a series of high-energy, three-minute one-person plays, judged by the audience. Slam poetry is an art form that allows written page poets to share their work alongside theatrical performers, hip-hop artists and lyricists.

Poets come from as far away as Phoenix, Tucson, Prescott and Flagstaff, competing against local poets from Sedona and Cottonwood, college poets from Northern Arizona University and youth poets from Verde Valley high schools. All types of poetry are welcome on the stage, from street-wise hip-hop and narrative performance poems, to political rants and introspective confessionals. Any poem is a “slam” poem if performed in a competition. All poets get three minutes per round to entertain and inspire the audience with their creativity.

Anyone can sign up to compete in the slam for the $75 grand prize and $25 second-place prize. To compete in the slam, poets will need three original poems, each lasting no longer than three minutes. No props, costumes nor musical accompaniment are permitted. The poets are judged Olympics-style by five members of the audience selected at random at the beginning of the slam.

Poets interested in competing may email foxthepoet@yahoo.com to sign up by the Friday before the slam, or sign up at the door the day of the slam. Poets who want to compete should purchase a ticket in case the roster is filled before they arrive.

For more information, visit sedonafilmfestival.com or foxthepoet.blogspot.com.

Prescott Poetry Slam

Prescott Poetry Slam | Every Third Sunday of the Month at 208 N Marina Prescott, AZ.

Prescott Poetry Slam is a three round friendly competition judged by five randomly selected audience members. Poets will showcase the art of poetry in performance. Cash prizes awarded for first, second, and third place.

$10 cover