Who wouldn’t enjoy the opportunity to watch the most controversial local poets as they go nose-to-nose while a live, whooping and cheering audience gets rolling with them. Only poets brave enough to take the heat of interactive self-expression will advance to the final round to see who scores to become that evenings Top Dog Poet.

It will get noisy, heartfelt, ridiculous, rowdy, (and who knows—political) but it always gets going.

WHO: The most daring and provocative of Fort Collins poets and spoken-word presentation artists.

WHAT: Sign up for the 12 presenting poet spots for the monthly Poetry Slam.

WHEN: First Friday of every month. At 7:30pm poets sign up for the Poetry Slam to ensue at 8:00.

WHERE: The Matter Bookstore/Bean Cycle coffee shop at 144 North College Ave., (970) 472-4284

WHY: To take part in the most in-your-face monthly poetry competition in Northern Colorado.

HOW: Bring your best 3 poems and sign up for the three rounds of readings. Five poets will move on from the first round of 12 poets to read in the second round, from which 3 will progress to the final round. Judges will decide which finalist will win the opportunity to have their name added to the trophy. OR just come and watch the action.

JUDGING: Judging will be done by 5 audience members who will score between 1 and 10. The highest and lowest scores will be dropped and the remaining 3 scores will be averaged out to determine a final score for each poet. The highest scores will progress on in competition.

NEEDED: An audience.

COST: Zero, zip, nada.

For more info call Larry Holgerson at 720.233.7395.