Open Mic ft. TEAM SELECTION FINALS!

Welcome to our biggest show of the year: TEAM SELECTION FINALS! The top 5 poets from this competition will represent Boston at regionals near and far for the 2026 season! You won’t want to miss this one — GET HERE EARLY! And please note the changes in start times for the slam and cost of the show — extra funds from finals will go toward our team’s travel costs. YOUR 2026 COMPETITORS ARE: Aparna Paul Will Leonard Mugs Myers Bobby Crawford Logan Lopez Jarvis Subia Edie Churchill Kai Wallin With sacrificial poets: Isaiah Newman, Mary S, and Brynna Boyd! —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram @bostonpoetryslam ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

The Cantab Lounge

Open Mic ft. TEAM PRELIM #2!

OUR NEXT PRELIM IS APPROACHING! The second half of our qualified poet pool will be battling for Finals placement. Top four poets move on! The open mic will be shortened again to accommodate the longer show, so please get here early! This prelim will feature the following poets: Mary S Logan Lopez Winston Liao Jarvis Subia Kelsey Kessler Mugs Myers Aparna Paul Ember Bricault —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram @bostonpoetryslam ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. TEAM PRELIM #1!

TEAM SELECTION IS UPON US! For this week’s featured event, 8 out of the 16 challengers for this year’s team will be facing off. The top 4 poets move on to Team Selection Finals on March 25th! Open mic will be shortened to make up for the longer slam, so get there early! Come support the following poets this Wednesday: Edie Churchill Will Leonard Amy Argentar Brynna Boyd Kaitie D Isaiah Newman Bobby Crawford Winston Liao —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram @bostonpoetryslam ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. LAST CHANCE SLAM!

TOMORROW 2/18 is our LAST CHANCE SLAM to qualify for the 2026 Boston Poetry Slam team! Top two placements in each open slam are qualified for team selection next year. Standard slam rules apply: eight poets compete in three rounds with poems that are three minutes or less. No props, costumes, or musical accompaniment. Poems are scored by random members of the audience! Come compete among the best in the region this Wednesday. As the title suggests this is your LAST CHANCE to qualify for our preliminaries later in the month. Don’t miss out on this chance! —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram @bostonpoetryslam ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. LOVE vs DEATH Slam!

IT’S ALMOST VALENTINE’S DAY, FOLKS, AND WE ARE STILL DOING A SHOW! While we are all sad that Hanif Abdurraqib’s feature is postponed, we are replacing that sadness with love and happiness by announcing an impromptu LOVE VS DEATH SLAM! At the door, you can sign up to be on TEAM LOVE or TEAM DEATH - it’s a head-to-head team slam where either team love or team death will emerge victorious in the end. If you’d like to sign up, choose your favorite love- or death-related pieces and be prepared to SLAM against the opposing team. THAT’S NOT ALL! During the open mic, we are also doing VALENTINE’S DAY BINGO! We will pass out bingo sheets to audience members that have several (potentially unhinged) v-day themes that may come up during the open mic. NOTE FOR 2/11: There will be a PRIVATE EVENT in the UPSTAIRS LOUNGE from 5:30-7:30, so unfortunately poets will not be able to wait upstairs before the show. We are opening doors to the basement EARLY, at 7 pm, to allow folks to settle in and get out of the cold, but if you arrive earlier than that, please dress according to the weather and be ready to wait in a line outside prior to the show. Poets will be able to wait in the upstairs bar starting after 7:30 if the show sells out before then. Thank you for understanding! —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. JR Mahung!

THIS WEDNESDAY 2/4! JR Mahung (She/They) is a Garifuna poet from Chicago. She now lives in Boston, MA with her cat, Frank Ocean. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP. om conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP. photo by Nohemi Rodriguez.

Open Mic ft. Open Slam!

Our next OPEN SLAM to qualify for the 2026 Boston Poetry Slam team is happening this coming Wednesday 01/28! Top two placements in each open slam are qualified for team selection next year. Standard slam rules apply: eight poets compete in three rounds with poems that are three minutes or less. No props, costumes, or musical accompaniment. Poems are scored by random members of the audience! Come compete among the best in the region this Wednesday. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. Ally Ang!

Live from the Cantab Lounge this Wednesday 01/21: Ally Ang is a gaysian poet &amp; editor based in Seattle, WA. Their work has appeared in The Rumpus, Muzzle Magazine, ANMLY, and elsewhere. Ang is a 2023 National Endowment for the Arts fellow and MacDowell fellow. Their debut poetry collection, Let the Moon Wobble, is now out from Alice James Books. Find them at allysonang.com or on Twitter and Instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/TheOceanIsGay/">@TheOceanIsGay</a>. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

This coming Wednesday 01/14 is our next OPEN SLAM to qualify for the 2026 Boston Poetry Slam team!! Top two placements in each open slam are qualified for team selection next year. Standard slam rules apply: eight poets compete in three rounds with poems that are three minutes or less. No props, costumes, or musical accompaniment. Poems are scored by random members of the audience! Come compete among the best in the region this Wednesday. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. Erica Miriam Fabri

Kick off the new year with the Boston Poetry Slam on 1/7 with a feature &amp; our monthly workshop by Flight or Visibility! Erica Miriam Fabri is a poet and the author of two books: Morphology (Write Bloody Publishing, 2025) and Dialect of a Skirt (Hanging Loose Press, 2010). She has been widely published and worked on projects as a writer or editor for The New York Knicks, Urban Word NYC, HBO, and Nickelodeon Television. She teaches at Pace University and The College of Staten Island. She is also a Freelance Photographer, a New Yorker, and a Mama. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

SURPRISE TUESDAY SHOW: The Wild Card Slam!

SURPRISE, we have one more show coming up in 2025! Join us TUESDAY, December 30th at the Cantab Lounge for an open mic and a special WILD CARD slam. Doors at 7:15, show starts at 8, slam starts around 10. $4 cover. The Wild Card Slam, also known as the second chance slam, is a slam where every poem is 2 minutes or less, and everyone who signs up is guaranteed to read at least twice. You’ll need a maximum of FOUR poems, with the slam winner getting $75, and the top two poets qualifying for the 2026 Boston Poetry Slam Team Selection. Come end the year with us! Format for the WILD CARD slam, with all poems being 2 minutes or less: Round 1 - 8 poets (top 4 move to Round 2, bottom 4 go to wild card round). Wild Card round - 4 poets (top 2 move to Round 2) Round 2 - 6 poets (top 3 move to Round 3) Round 3 - 3 poets —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

This coming Wednesday 12/16 is our next OPEN SLAM to qualify for the 2026 Boston Poetry Slam team!! Top two placements in each open slam are qualified for team selection next year. Standard slam rules apply: eight poets compete in three rounds with poems that are three minutes or less. No props, costumes, or musical accompaniment. Poems are scored by random members of the audience! Come compete among the best in the region this Wednesday. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. Jenny Molberg!

Jenny Molberg is the author of three collections of poetry, most recently The Court of No Record (LSU Press, 2023), a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist. Her fourth book, The Medium, is forthcoming from LSU Press in 2027. Her poems and essays have recently appeared in The Adroit Journal, The American Poetry Review, The Kenyon Review, The Missouri Review, Oprah Quarterly, and elsewhere. Her work has received support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, the Sewanee Writers’ Conference, the Vermont Studio Center, and others. She is Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of Ploughshares at Emerson College. —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Open Mic ft. Sarah Kersey!

TONIGHT! Feature by Sarah Kersey and workshop by Shelby Coe Workshop info: 6:30pm - workshop attendees get first access to open mic list! Looking to design or adapt workshops for youth spaces? In this reflective workshop, we will reflect on our past &amp; present learning experiences and discuss creating community and safe space for young poets. Participants will leave with strategies to create inclusive, engaging programming for poets of all ages! Shelby Coe is a spoken word artist, educator and proud alum of the Disney College Program. She is a two-time recipient of the Transcendent Coaches Award at MassPoetry’s Write Here, Write Now, Speak Loud Youth Poetry Festival out of Boston. When she is not writing or performing, you can usually find her working with her award winning youth slam team out of Lowell, Massachusetts or learning Taylor Swift songs on the ukelele. Follow her on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/shelbycoepoet/">@shelbycoepoet</a>&nbsp;on Instagram for updates! —-——— The feature might be live streamed on our instagram&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bostonpoetryslam/">@bostonpoetryslam</a> ————— Accessibility information: The portion of the Cantab where the poetry show is hosted is accessible by one flight of stairs. There is seating available as well as standing room. We highly encourage the use of masks and have them available for anyone who wants one, but they are not required, per venue management. There are two single-stall, gender neutral bathrooms. Both require stepping onto a slight ledge to access. No flashing lights are used and no music is played over the speakers throughout the show; in general, the room is dimly lit/dark throughout, but can often get loud from conversations occurring. Please message us with any specific questions and we will get back to you ASAP.

Weird Thanksgiving: Open Mic + Food Swap

Staying in town this week? Looking for community to spend time with? We have your back — Boston Poetry Slam will be hosting a pre-Thanksgiving extended open mic and food drive. Bring non-perishable or packaged &amp; labeled perishable items to swap if you have the resources &amp; take home whatever’s calling to you. Leftover items will be taken to local community fridges. Come vibe and read poems.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

bostonpoetryslam

Experiences

Open Mic ft. TEAM SELECTION FINALS!

Open Mic ft. TEAM PRELIM #2!

Open Mic ft. TEAM PRELIM #1!

Open Mic ft. LAST CHANCE SLAM!

Open Mic ft. LOVE vs DEATH Slam!

Open Mic ft. JR Mahung!

Open Mic ft. Open Slam!

Open Mic ft. Ally Ang!

Open Mic ft. Open Slam!

Open Mic ft. Erica Miriam Fabri

SURPRISE TUESDAY SHOW: The Wild Card Slam!

Open Mic ft. Open Slam!

Open Mic ft. Jenny Molberg!

Open Mic ft. Sarah Kersey!

Weird Thanksgiving: Open Mic + Food Swap