Press Release Summary = RATTLE magazine devotes new issue to the wildly popular art of competitive performance poetry
Press Release Body = To those for whom the notion of poetry brings back unpleasant memories of hunching over The Canterbury Tales in freshman English, take note: This is not your grandmother's poetry.
Slam poetry is by nature difficult to define, borrowing from a variety of cultures and styles, and refusing to fit neatly into any one category. In essence, slam is what happens when writing and performance are combined in front of an audience.
But attending a slam is not like attending a poetry reading. Slam is competitive, and poets are judged by randomly picked members of the audience, the winners often awarded cash prizes. Most importantly, audiences are urged to get excited about what they hear. What results is an exciting, rowdy and often emotionally explosive experience for all involved.
To recognize the genre that is changing the face of poetry, RATTLE is stepping up. The poetry magazine will feature a "Tribute to Slam" in its summer issue.
In addition to the usual 80 pages of regular poetry, the issue will include 20 slam poems and an audio CD of the authors-which range from rising to stars to such slam legends as Patricia Smith and Buddy Wakefield-performing their work.
The magazine hopes to bring more appreciation to the art which is becoming a worldwide sensation.
Says Editor Tim Green, "Part of RATTLE's mission is to be inclusive, to let people know that great poetry is something anyone can take part in, and that's what slam is about. At this point in time, slam has established itself, yet is still evolving and growing, and we wanted to capture that."
Also included in the magazine's summer issue will be interviews with poetry founder Marc Kelly Smith and four-time slam champion Patricia Smith, as well as an in-depth introduction by Susan B.A. Somers-Willett for those unfamiliar with the slam genre.
The issue will hit bookstores June 1, and can also be preordered at the magazine's website, RATTLE.com
Web Site = http://www.rattle.com
Contact Details = RATTLE 12411 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604 www.rattle.com Phone- 818.505.6777 Fax - 818.505.6778 timgreen@rattle.com
2012
