Punch Out Poetry: Finals

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More About

• Jenn Sparks
• Alice Shindelar
• Macalester College
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Women's Issues

Despite the fact that the Twin Cities are home to a high concentration of slam poetry talent, a complaint that's been heard repeatedly both from audience members and poets themselves is that the scene lacks diversity. That's the drive that began Punch Out Poetry, the Cities' newest slam: to give female poets a place to develop their skills, find their voices, and come out swinging against their male counterparts. The ladies have done just that, developing their skills and poems and honing them against each other this past season. Several of the younger poets (some of whom hail from Macalester College's award-winning scene) are still finding their voices, but none are weak. The strongest poets, scene veterans like Cynthia French, Jenn Sparks, and Alice Shindelar, are amongst the best in the Cities. Tonight's competition will decide the team that will represent PoP this August at nationals, which coincidentally will be held here in St. Paul.
Fri., May 28, 7:05 p.m., 2010