TAKING PLACE DECEMBER 12 – 14,2024 in POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA

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FESTIVAL PUBLIC SCHEDULE 

Day 1 : Ali Arts : 353 MLK Blvd Pompano Beach, FL 

Workshop 6pm – 7pm

Prelims 7:30pm to 9:30pm

Poetry in the Courtyard Open Mic 9:30pm – 10:45pm

Join us for Poetry in the Courtyard, a relaxed gathering where poets share their work in an intimate, open-air setting. Surrounded by the beauty of the courtyard, this event offers a peaceful atmosphere for creative expression and community connection.

Day 2: Ali Arts : 353 MLK Blvd Pompano Beach, FL 

Workshop 6pm – 7pm

Prelims 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Poetry’Oke Open Mic 9:30pm – 10:45pm

Join us for The Poetry Soundtrack Open Mic, where poets recite their work over the instrumental beat of the Dj’s Choice. This event offers a unique blend of spoken word and music. Experience the powerful synergy of poetry and rhythm in an evening of creative expression.

 Day 3: Pompano Beach Cultural Center : 50 W Atlantic Blvd Pompano Beach, FL

Finals 7pm – 10pm

**FOOD, MUSIC, AND CASH BAR EACH NIGHT**

 

FESTIVAL LAYOUT

There will be 30 competing Poets, all competing Poets will need a total of five (5) poems to win.

PRELIMINARY ROUNDS:

During preliminary rounds (“bouts”), all poets will perform one (1) original poem.

• Each poet will draw a number to determine the order of each performance.
• No poet will be eliminated during preliminary competition.
• The highest score of the entire night will receive their $175 registration back.
  • If a single poet has the highest score on both nights the $175 prize can be gifted to the runner-up, per the winning poet’s request or prize will be forfeited.

• If there is a tie for the highest score of the night, poets can participate in a 1-minute poem off or spilt the registration fee

Each poet will compete in one of two preliminary micro bouts. A live bout draw will take place prior to the start of the festival for all 4 prelim bouts. The draw for the performance order will occur onsite at the start of the bout, with poets drawing a number 1-15 for each round. Poets should arrive 6:30pm nightly for performance order at designated Prelim venue Ali Arts Center located at 353 MLK Blvd Pompano Beach, FL 33060. 

No ties will be broken in prelims. Poets will receive a rank based on their scores in the micro bout. So, a rank of 1-15 will be given, with the highest score receiving a 1. In the case of a tie, the rank will be shared, and the next person will receive an adjusted rank.

For example, if there is a tie for 3rd place, the assigned ranks will be: 1,2,3,3,5,6. If there are multiple ties, the adjustments will be the same. If there is a tie for 1st and 2nd highest scores the assigned ranks will be: 1,1,3,3,5,6.

The top 15 poets with the highest cumulative score after 2 days will advance to the Final Stage with the 16^th and 17^th ranked poets serving as sacrificial poets (Sacs) at Final Stage.

FINAL STAGE:

• Round 1 – Fifteen poets
• Round 2 – Eight poets
  • Score is a cumulative based upon the evening’s first two rounds.
• Round 3 – Four poets
  • The Final round score is clean slate
  • There will be a calibration poet before the final round

• NO POEM REPEAT – Poets are not allowed to repeat poems performed throughout competition.

• Tie breaks will be decided by highest overall score except for the last round on final stage, which will be broken by poem, which can be a repeat poem.
• If there is a tie going into rounds after taking all 5 scores, we will take the extra Poet.
• Protest to Scores must be done after bout, before score sheets are signed. Once score sheets are signed by competitors no protest can be issued.
• Score sheets MUST BE signed by all competitors.

In case of a three-way tie all the prizes will be combined and spilt equally amongst winners, or they can decide to hold one round of slam off to decide winner

We will do our best to have scoring done as quickly as possible, but to be accurate we will take however long we need to ensure that the right scores are put out. Please allow us this time so that we can be our best for you. 

JUDGES:

• A minimum of three (3) of the five (5) Judges will be selected from a pre-selected group of judges.

PERFORMANCE RULES:

• No props allowed
• No reading of poems on final stage (ADA exceptions allowed)
• 3 minutes and 10 sec grace period during preliminary rounds
• 3 minutes and 20 second grace period during final stage
  • There is a half point deduction for every 10 secs over allotted time

PRIZES:

1^st Place: $5,000

2^nd Place: $2,500

3^rd Place: $1,500

 

Host Hotel Links 

Tru By Hilton Pompano Pier $189/night CLICK HERE

Sheraton Suites $129 and $139/night CLICK HERE

Sponsors