Poetry Slam

Come join host Ted Williams, Galena's Poet Laureate, at Miss Kitty's Grape Escape for an evening filled with powerful words, emotions, and imagination. Any and all poets 18+ are welcome to sign up to compete for cash prizes!

It is free to compete and there is no cover charge to attend and watch the slam. Full food and bar service will be available throughout the evening.

Three judges (Ron Jenkins, Jenna Goldsmith, Angela Trudell Vasquez) will evaluate each poet's performance based on skill, stage presence, and creativity. The audience will also have the opportunity to hear poetry from our judges and host.

Prizes:
1st Prize: $200 Visa gift card
2nd Prize: $100 Visa gift card
3rd Prize: $50 Visa gift card

Slam Rules

• Each competitor must register in advance.
• Each poem must be the poet’s original work.
• Poets have 3 minutes to perform, which begins as soon as the poet begins speaking to the audience.
• Points will be deducted for exceeding the time limit.
• No props, costumes, or musical instruments. Poets may read from paper or electronic devices as long as they are not used as props.
• Poems must be performed solo.
• Poets must be 18 or older.

Meet the Judges
Ron Jenkins is a retired Galena High School English teacher and drama director. He still coaches the GHS scholastic bowl team. His favorite poet is Ogden Nash.

Jenna Goldsmith is a poet, writer, and teacher living in the Midwest. She is the author of 4 poetry chapbooks, including CRUSH. She is the Director of the Oregon State University Cascades Low-residency MFA Program in Writing, and is the City Poet Laureate Emerita of Rockford, IL where she resides.

Angela Trudell Vasquez is a poet, writer, editor, publisher, and activist. She was appointed the City of Madison Poet Laureate from 2020-2024 and is the first Latina to hold the position. Her books, In Light, Always Light and My People Redux, her third and fourth collections of poetry were published by Finishing Line Press in 2019 and 2022.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Grape Escape, 242 North Main Street, Galena, United States