Honolulu Weekly

First Thursdays at Pipeline Café / The verbal poetry slammage continues as local poets, artists and performers congregate to Pipeline Café for this month’s edition of First Thursdays.

Over the course of the last six years, Hawaii’s only nationally certified monthly slam poetry and open mic session has transformed itself from its fledgling beginnings–it once drew sparce crowds of a few dozen at best–into the largest registered poetry slam in the world.

While traditional “slam” consists of only the poet, his or her words and the microphone on stage, the “No Rules” summer format is an anything goes expressionists’ freeforeall. Performers are encouraged to set their pieces to music, a beat box or even a DJ. Props and costumes are also allowed and, as always, all people and talents are welcome.

“The no rules format gives the poets and the audience a break from the norm. It allows us to push the boundaries of the art form by collaborating with other poets, musicians (and) dancers,” said Kealoha, event host and founder of Hawaii Slam. “It also opens up the competition to the larger artistic community, primarily those who have always wanted to get up on stage but didn’t want to adhere to the typical restrictions.”

Winners receive $100 in cash and prizes. Since not everyone has the courage to perform on stage in front of a hundred or more strangers, are there really any losers?

This month’s event will showcase the quirky off-the-wall stylings of Bay Area poet Jason Bayani. The Filipino wordsmith is an SF/Berkely Grand Slam Champion and co-founder of the Asian American spoken word collective, Proletariat Bronze. He is also an established author and lecturer.

While Hawaii’s “slam-nation” continues its growth, the question remains: Why flex your muscles when you can flex your mind and mouth by way of rant, rave or clever free flow while being completely numb to humilation? Step on the soap-box if you dare.