Slam Nuba, Denver Slam Poetry Venue Goes on to Defend National Title

Slam Poetry was invented in the 1980s by a construction worker named Marc Smith.

You’re probably thinking: “So what?”

The what is something Denverites discover twice a month when they pour into the Crossroads Theatre in Five Points  to experience some of the most socially progressive poetry in the nation. Colorado is fortunate to be home to three nationally ranked slam teams, one of which is Denver’s own Slam Nuba.

Slam Nuba is a competitive, performance-based poetry venue with the goal of cultivating, promoting and engaging the community with written and spoken word. The organization’s tagline is “We Cut Heads,” which the audience shouts aloud anytime the words Slam Nuba are spoken. While it may be startling at first, the call-and-response nature of the event sparks a poetic experience that is sure to sever one from their senses, hence the tagline.

With a long history of cutting heads, in 2011, Slam Nuba took first place at the National Poetry Slam (NPS) held in Boston, Mass. Every year the top competitors of the season form the new slam team. The current 2012 Slam Nuba team is the first place regional Southwest Shootout champion. The team consists of Suzi Q. Smith, Jovan Mays, Alejandro Jimenez, Jose “Jozer” Guerrero, Kenya “Mahogany” Pollard and yours truly, Danielle “D.” Brooks (in full disclosure). This squad of word wielding warriors will soon embark upon a journey to defend their title of National Poetry Slam Champions at NPS2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

To catch Slam Nuba and other community artists and poets in action, visit the Crossroads Theatre every first and last Monday of the month. Writing workshops are conducted by nationally renowned artists beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sign-up for the open mic and slam begins at 7:30 p.m.; the show starts at 8 p.m.