2008 Woodie Awards
Delrica Andrews commits Slamicide
Bobby Marvin
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Spoken Word
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SW: Do you write strictly for performances?
DA: No. I have always tried to write more so for the page, because I don't consider myself a performance poet. I'd like to be a blend of both, but because I have a terrible memory, I usually "perform" while holding the paper in my hand.
SW: Slamicide has been nominated for one of the best Slam venues, so obviously this place must be great. How did it begin?
DA: How awesome is that? It totally rocks that we got nominated, thank you SLAMicide family. I am so in love with SLAMicide. Granma Dave (original co-founder of SLAMicide) and Chris August, both of whom are my cohosts/co-horts/partners in crime/partial reasons for living, are my strength, my rocks. They are by far two of the best hosts I've ever seen, not to mention two of the best poets I have ever had the opportunity to work with or be around. As far as how we began? Well...SLAMicide started as the Baltimore Poetry Slam @ Paloma's back in 2000 when Nicki Miller (then slam master and co-founder of SLAMicide) was running the show. After lasting 12 weeks, the series took a break and then we met Granma Dave who helped us find a home at XandO. We started SLAMicide @ XandO on September 14, 2000 and the rest is history. For the more detailed story, visit our website www.slamicide.com.
SW: What are some of the pros and cons you see with the Slam?
DA: Ok...this is one those LOADED questions, hehehehehehehe. The obvious pro of Slam is that it gets people who wouldn't ordinarily listen to poetry to do just that. It allows those who ordinarily wouldn't want to hear poetry as well as those who love poetry in general an opportunity to appreciate this magnificent art form through a totally fresh perspective. Because it's an all-inclusive type of performance, it pulls the audience in more than what a typical poetry reading would. We encourage a level of interactivity that you simply can't find by reading a book or going to a stuffy reading where your presenters are detached and not giving it to the people. The cons: slam often has this label of not being considered a valid genre of poetry.
SW: What is the significance of the Slam?
DW: The slam movement is an avenue that fuses both literary arts with performance. It speaks to the people telling stories about us, written by us. There's a level of honesty that slaps one in the face with the right poem (and sometimes the wrong one as well). Slam is just another way for us to communicate with one another and that is very important.
SW: Do you think it helps the poet?
DW: I think all experiences help poets become better writers. Slam is an experience that not only helps you write better (i.e. word conservation), but also helps you learn how to perform as well as how to interact with your audience. I feel that performance is a completely interactive deal; so building that relationship with your audience is very important. I think that slam is one way of making that happen.
SW: Where do you see the Slam going?
DA: We're taking over the world baby! One poet at a time *grin*.
DA: No. I have always tried to write more so for the page, because I don't consider myself a performance poet. I'd like to be a blend of both, but because I have a terrible memory, I usually "perform" while holding the paper in my hand.
SW: Slamicide has been nominated for one of the best Slam venues, so obviously this place must be great. How did it begin?
DA: How awesome is that? It totally rocks that we got nominated, thank you SLAMicide family. I am so in love with SLAMicide. Granma Dave (original co-founder of SLAMicide) and Chris August, both of whom are my cohosts/co-horts/partners in crime/partial reasons for living, are my strength, my rocks. They are by far two of the best hosts I've ever seen, not to mention two of the best poets I have ever had the opportunity to work with or be around. As far as how we began? Well...SLAMicide started as the Baltimore Poetry Slam @ Paloma's back in 2000 when Nicki Miller (then slam master and co-founder of SLAMicide) was running the show. After lasting 12 weeks, the series took a break and then we met Granma Dave who helped us find a home at XandO. We started SLAMicide @ XandO on September 14, 2000 and the rest is history. For the more detailed story, visit our website www.slamicide.com.
SW: What are some of the pros and cons you see with the Slam?
DA: Ok...this is one those LOADED questions, hehehehehehehe. The obvious pro of Slam is that it gets people who wouldn't ordinarily listen to poetry to do just that. It allows those who ordinarily wouldn't want to hear poetry as well as those who love poetry in general an opportunity to appreciate this magnificent art form through a totally fresh perspective. Because it's an all-inclusive type of performance, it pulls the audience in more than what a typical poetry reading would. We encourage a level of interactivity that you simply can't find by reading a book or going to a stuffy reading where your presenters are detached and not giving it to the people. The cons: slam often has this label of not being considered a valid genre of poetry.
SW: What is the significance of the Slam?
DW: The slam movement is an avenue that fuses both literary arts with performance. It speaks to the people telling stories about us, written by us. There's a level of honesty that slaps one in the face with the right poem (and sometimes the wrong one as well). Slam is just another way for us to communicate with one another and that is very important.
SW: Do you think it helps the poet?
DW: I think all experiences help poets become better writers. Slam is an experience that not only helps you write better (i.e. word conservation), but also helps you learn how to perform as well as how to interact with your audience. I feel that performance is a completely interactive deal; so building that relationship with your audience is very important. I think that slam is one way of making that happen.
SW: Where do you see the Slam going?
DA: We're taking over the world baby! One poet at a time *grin*.