THURSDAY OCT 2nd 7.30pm OPEN MIC
15/09/2008
01/07/2008
Voxbox Finale
The final VoXboX before the summer break
with Tracy Patrick (left) and Rob MacKenzie
plus music from Barnaby Strachan
and floorspots from the likes of
Stephen Barnaby & Ash Dickinson,
MC Anita Govan & Kevin Cadwallender
17/06/2008
Mick Standen
Goodbye Michael Standen. I always had the greatest respect for you and your writing and your dry sense of humour.
08/06/2008
Voxbox Team Slam
Individual Winner James Oates of Drey Poets Team Pictures courtesy Charles from Northern lines Runner up Harlequinade of The Chemical Poets
TEAM Winner The Chemical Poets. Runners Up : Chris Young Cairns Old.
30/05/2008
24/05/2008
Additional Slam Rules
VOXBOX TEAM SLAM ADDITIONAL RULES
Because of the nature of Team Slams additional rules are as follows.
Teams can have a minimum of two and a maximum of five members.
Each team should prepare a joint performed poem for use in the first round.
This should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
The Second Round is a knock out tournament as in individual slam, chosen by means of a draw.
Individuals will compete against individuals their scores will be added to the combined scores of the first round. (usual time slots apply!)
The competition will therefore produce three potential winners.
1)The team winners of the joint poem in Round 1.
Who will receive a bottle of Bubbly and a selection of poetry books.
2) The individual winner who will receive a paid gig and a winners medal plus books.
3) The overall Team winners who will receive books, a paid gig, a published pamphlet and the Voxbox Team Slam Trophy.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE END.
Judging will be slightly different to allow for variance in team sizes.
Two judges will be scoring using the black and white card system but marking points on a scoresheet.
The audience vote will count as a third judge. The usual card display will be used (see main rules) and a score will be worked out from that voting.
Judges decisions are final and binding.
The overall scoring system is worked out from the first round team scores
Added to the scores that individuals add in the knockout section.
An equation will be used to work out the average scores
Team score plus
Individual scores divided by number of members in team left in each round.
VoXboX Individual Slam Rules
Please note that these Slam rule are Different and it is important that you read them. VoXboX slams will be run as knock out competitions. Where writers battle it out, one on one to be the people’s champion, chosen by the audience. The rules will also vary a little dependant on the nature of the SLAM event e.g. prose poetry or team etc
POEMS & POETS
All poems’ must be written and performed by the author of the poem/written work. You may repeat the same poem in each round. But we recommend that you have more than one poem prepared as it might limit your chances of winning. You must perform on your own and are not allowed a backing track or backing vocals digitally or acoustically.
TIME LIMIT
The time limit on each poem performed at an Individual Slam is 3 mins. Timed from the first word you say, including introductions (be warned). There will be no exceptions to the rules. Once you have reached the time limit, you will be whistled off by the Slam Master and will leave the stage.
HEATS &ROUNDS
There will be 2 battling poets in each heat. The Number of heats and rounds will depend on the number of poets competing
Therefore with 16 poets entering will create 8 heats in first round, 4 heats in second round, 2 heats in third, and then the final. If there is an odd winning poet left over from any round then the wildcard* will come into effect. *(See Wildcards)
The order in which the competing poets/writers will go on and who they will battle against will be decided by a hat draw, that will take place before the event starts and between each round. Until the finale 2 remain and there is a winner. Each competitor will display his or her allocated armbands for that round.
WILDCARDS*
If there are an odd number of poets entering the competition the Wildcard place will first be given to the remainder poet who has not yet had a chance to compete.
Thereafter a Wildcard is given when a round creates a remainder, winning poet. In this event a losing poet from the previous rounds and heats will be chosen from the hat. Picked at random by a member of the audience who is not a judge. E.g. 14 poets, 7 heats in the first round. Means 1 winning poet will remain. There for the Wildcard will come into effect, and a random poet who has lost in the last round will have an opportunity to continue and another chance to win.
SCORING
It’s poet against poet battling it out 1 on 1. Therefore there will be no points system. It will be either IN or OUT.
An odd number of Judges will be chosen from the audience on the night by the Slam Master and event organizers. They will be given judging cards of either black or white. Which will correspond with the color armbands allocated to the poets at the Slam draw before the event/round. After the two battling poets in each heat have finished the judges will be ask to make their decision, who they think, should go on to the next round (with help of some audience response). They will not confer with other judges or members of the audience. To help them judge they will be asked to use the loose criteria of content, performance and audience response.
When they have made there decision they will indicate this to the Slam Master and all the judges will then hold up the corresponding colors of the poet they would like to go through to the next round e.g. white or black at the same time. In front of the audience
The Slam Master will then declare which poet will go through to the next round etc.
The slam master and events organizers reserve the right to change the judges between rounds should they deem it necessary and for what ever reason. The Slam master and events organizers decision is final.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
The SLAM MASTER is host and referee of the competition there word is finale.
POETRY SLAMS, were created by MARC SMITH (So What!) at the Greenmill, Chicago, USA in the 80’s. I think it’s important to note the founder’s words. Firstly ‘ the best poet never win’s’ and ‘ that if the competition takes over the poetry, then it has lost, its purpose and intent, to invigorate and stimulate’.
We aim to make it fun and exciting for the audience. So please don’t take it too seriously, many very good poets have entered but never won a Slam. So gloating winners & bad losers, please be warned.
To this end VoXboX does not give cash prizes. We hope to provide the winner with a winners trophy, paid gig and published Chapbook of their work. To sell to friends and family which will have an ISBN No
VoXboX
VoXboX is kindly supported by the Mercat Bar, but at present is not funded by anyone. It is a non-profit organization that only exists due to the support it receives. We endeavor to keep cost of events as low as possible, while paying poets/performers fees as much as we can. We the organizers of VoXboX reserve the right to change anything & everything as we see fit with as much notice as possible, to those whom it may concern.
If there is anything you are unclear about please ask. VoXboX would to thank you for entering this Slam and wish you the best of Luck.
Contact VoXboX at voxboxinfo@yahoo.co.uk
Because of the nature of Team Slams additional rules are as follows.
Teams can have a minimum of two and a maximum of five members.
Each team should prepare a joint performed poem for use in the first round.
This should be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
The Second Round is a knock out tournament as in individual slam, chosen by means of a draw.
Individuals will compete against individuals their scores will be added to the combined scores of the first round. (usual time slots apply!)
The competition will therefore produce three potential winners.
1)The team winners of the joint poem in Round 1.
Who will receive a bottle of Bubbly and a selection of poetry books.
2) The individual winner who will receive a paid gig and a winners medal plus books.
3) The overall Team winners who will receive books, a paid gig, a published pamphlet and the Voxbox Team Slam Trophy.
ALL WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE END.
Judging will be slightly different to allow for variance in team sizes.
Two judges will be scoring using the black and white card system but marking points on a scoresheet.
The audience vote will count as a third judge. The usual card display will be used (see main rules) and a score will be worked out from that voting.
Judges decisions are final and binding.
The overall scoring system is worked out from the first round team scores
Added to the scores that individuals add in the knockout section.
An equation will be used to work out the average scores
Team score plus
Individual scores divided by number of members in team left in each round.
VoXboX Individual Slam Rules
Please note that these Slam rule are Different and it is important that you read them. VoXboX slams will be run as knock out competitions. Where writers battle it out, one on one to be the people’s champion, chosen by the audience. The rules will also vary a little dependant on the nature of the SLAM event e.g. prose poetry or team etc
POEMS & POETS
All poems’ must be written and performed by the author of the poem/written work. You may repeat the same poem in each round. But we recommend that you have more than one poem prepared as it might limit your chances of winning. You must perform on your own and are not allowed a backing track or backing vocals digitally or acoustically.
TIME LIMIT
The time limit on each poem performed at an Individual Slam is 3 mins. Timed from the first word you say, including introductions (be warned). There will be no exceptions to the rules. Once you have reached the time limit, you will be whistled off by the Slam Master and will leave the stage.
HEATS &ROUNDS
There will be 2 battling poets in each heat. The Number of heats and rounds will depend on the number of poets competing
Therefore with 16 poets entering will create 8 heats in first round, 4 heats in second round, 2 heats in third, and then the final. If there is an odd winning poet left over from any round then the wildcard* will come into effect. *(See Wildcards)
The order in which the competing poets/writers will go on and who they will battle against will be decided by a hat draw, that will take place before the event starts and between each round. Until the finale 2 remain and there is a winner. Each competitor will display his or her allocated armbands for that round.
WILDCARDS*
If there are an odd number of poets entering the competition the Wildcard place will first be given to the remainder poet who has not yet had a chance to compete.
Thereafter a Wildcard is given when a round creates a remainder, winning poet. In this event a losing poet from the previous rounds and heats will be chosen from the hat. Picked at random by a member of the audience who is not a judge. E.g. 14 poets, 7 heats in the first round. Means 1 winning poet will remain. There for the Wildcard will come into effect, and a random poet who has lost in the last round will have an opportunity to continue and another chance to win.
SCORING
It’s poet against poet battling it out 1 on 1. Therefore there will be no points system. It will be either IN or OUT.
An odd number of Judges will be chosen from the audience on the night by the Slam Master and event organizers. They will be given judging cards of either black or white. Which will correspond with the color armbands allocated to the poets at the Slam draw before the event/round. After the two battling poets in each heat have finished the judges will be ask to make their decision, who they think, should go on to the next round (with help of some audience response). They will not confer with other judges or members of the audience. To help them judge they will be asked to use the loose criteria of content, performance and audience response.
When they have made there decision they will indicate this to the Slam Master and all the judges will then hold up the corresponding colors of the poet they would like to go through to the next round e.g. white or black at the same time. In front of the audience
The Slam Master will then declare which poet will go through to the next round etc.
The slam master and events organizers reserve the right to change the judges between rounds should they deem it necessary and for what ever reason. The Slam master and events organizers decision is final.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
The SLAM MASTER is host and referee of the competition there word is finale.
POETRY SLAMS, were created by MARC SMITH (So What!) at the Greenmill, Chicago, USA in the 80’s. I think it’s important to note the founder’s words. Firstly ‘ the best poet never win’s’ and ‘ that if the competition takes over the poetry, then it has lost, its purpose and intent, to invigorate and stimulate’.
We aim to make it fun and exciting for the audience. So please don’t take it too seriously, many very good poets have entered but never won a Slam. So gloating winners & bad losers, please be warned.
To this end VoXboX does not give cash prizes. We hope to provide the winner with a winners trophy, paid gig and published Chapbook of their work. To sell to friends and family which will have an ISBN No
VoXboX
VoXboX is kindly supported by the Mercat Bar, but at present is not funded by anyone. It is a non-profit organization that only exists due to the support it receives. We endeavor to keep cost of events as low as possible, while paying poets/performers fees as much as we can. We the organizers of VoXboX reserve the right to change anything & everything as we see fit with as much notice as possible, to those whom it may concern.
If there is anything you are unclear about please ask. VoXboX would to thank you for entering this Slam and wish you the best of Luck.
Contact VoXboX at voxboxinfo@yahoo.co.uk
22/04/2008
MAYDAY READING
First of May at The Mercat Bar Haymarket Edinburgh
NEV CLAY & Guests
'The Longbenton Baudelaire' stretches his legs and poetic muscles North of Newcastle where he is a musical legend and up coming poetry star.
12/03/2008
PROSE SLAM
Come and be a part of History! The world's first prose slam!
VoXboX PROSE SLAM RULES
Please note that these Slam rules are important and you must read them. VoXboX slams will be run as knock out competitions. Where writers battle it out, one on one to be the people’s champion, chosen by the audience. The rules will also vary a little dependant on the nature of the SLAM event e.g. prose, poetry or team etc. It will take place in the Mercat Bar nr Haymarket on the 3rd April 08 @ 8pm please arrive 15mins before show.
PROSE PIECES / WRITERS
All prose pieces must be written and read/performed by the author of the work. You may repeat the same prose piece in each round. Or continue on the same story in sections. But we recommend that you have more than one prose piece prepared as it might limit your chances of winning. You must perform on your own and are not allowed a backing track or backing vocals digitally or acoustically.
TIME LIMIT
The time limit on each prose piece read/performed at the Prose Slam is up to 5 mins. Timed from the first word you say, including introductions (be warned). There will be no exceptions to the rules. Once you have reached the time limit, you will be whistled off by the Slam Master and will leave the stage. We suggest that you practice the timing of your reading to avoid disappointment.
HEATS & ROUNDS
There will be 2 battling writers in each heat. The Number of heats and rounds will depend on the number of writers competing.
Therefore with 16 writers entering will create 8 heats in first round, 4 heats in second round, 2 heats in third, and then the final. If there is an odd winning writer left over from any round then the wildcard* will come into effect. *(See Wildcards)
The order in which the competing writers will go on and who they will battle against will be decided by a hat draw,that will take place before the event starts and between each round. Until the final 2 remain and there is a winner. Each competitor will display his or her allocated armbands for that round.
WILDCARDS*
The Wildcard is given when a round creates a remainder, winning writer. In this event a losing writer from the previous rounds and heats will be chosen from the hat. Picked at random by a member of the audience who is not a judge. E.g. 14 poets, 7 heats in the first round. Means 1 winning writer will remain. There for the Wildcard will come into effect, and a random writer who has lost in the last round will have an opportunity to continue and another chance to win.
SCORING
It’s writer against writer battling it out 1 on 1. Therefore there will be no points system. It will be either IN or OUT.
An odd number of Judges will be chosen from the audience on the night by the Slam Master and event organizers. They will be given judging cards of either black or white. Which will correspond with the colour armbands allocated to the poets at the Slam draw before the event/round. After the two battling writers in each heat have finished the judges will be ask to make their decision, who they think, should go on to the next round (with help of some audience response). They will not confer with other judges or members of the audience. To help them judge they will be asked to use the loose criteria of content, reading/performance and audience response.
When they have made there decision they will indicate this to the Slam Master and all the judges will then hold up the corresponding colours of the writer they would like to go through to the next round e.g. white or black at the same time. In front of the audience
The Slam Master will then declare which writer will go through to the next round.
The slam master and events organizers reserve the right to change the judges between rounds should they deem it necessary and for whatever reason. The Slam master and events organizers decision is final.
OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
The SLAM MASTER is host and referee of the competition their word is final.
SLAMS, were created by MARC SMITH (So What!) at the Greenmill, Chicago, USA in the 80’s. I think it’s important to note the founder’s words. Firstly ‘ the best poet/ writer never wins’ and ‘ that if the competition takes over the poetry/ writing, then it has lost, its purpose and intent, to invigorate and stimulate’.
This is the first Prose Slam we know of, ever happening in Scotland maybe even in the UK. So it is history in the making. Come and be a part of History! Let’s make it a good one.
We aim to make it fun and exciting for the audience. So please don’t take it too seriously, many very good poets/ writers have entered but never won a Slam. So gloating winners & bad losers, please be warned.
To this end VoXboX does not give cash prizes. We hope to provide the winner with a winner’s trophy, paid gig and published Chapbook of their work. To sell to friends and family which will have an ISBN No
VoXboX
VoXboX is kindly supported by the Mercat Bar, but at present is not funded by anyone. It is a non-profit organization that only exists due to the support it receives. We endeavor to keep cost of events as low as possible, while paying poets/performers/writers fees as much as we can. We the organizers of VoXboX reserve the right to change anything & everything as we see fit with as much notice as possible, to those whom it may concern.
If there is anything you are unclear about or would like to know please ask. VoXboX would like to thank you for entering this Slam and wish you the best of Luck.
Contact VoXboX at voxboxinfo@yahoo.co.uk Mob 07962 912 590
04/03/2008
VoxBox GUEST NIGHT Thursday March 6th @THE MERCAT BAR
Paul Summers & Anneliese Kelner Joyce & Aidan Halpin & Mike Dillon
M/C's Anita Govan and Kevin Cadwallender
08/02/2008
Voxbox :Border Raids
Thursday MARCH 27th 8pm
VoXboX in association with Kath Kenny
BORDER RAIDS
With
Anita Govan
‘The High Priestess of Scottish Performance Poetry’
Jennifer Williams
‘ Sensual poetry, sensual performer’
Jenny Lindsay
‘21st Century politically astute rebel with claws’
Kevin Cadwallender
‘North East England’s prodigal son’
Upstairs at The Bridge Hotel,
Newcastle Upon Tyne £4.00 (3.00)
BORDER RAIDS
With
Anita Govan
‘The High Priestess of Scottish Performance Poetry’
Jennifer Williams
‘ Sensual poetry, sensual performer’
Jenny Lindsay
‘21st Century politically astute rebel with claws’
Kevin Cadwallender
‘North East England’s prodigal son’
Upstairs at The Bridge Hotel,
Newcastle Upon Tyne £4.00 (3.00)
First Individual Slam
The Voxbox Individual poetry slam champion is Sofia (I got so excited I forgot to ask her how to spell her name! or even her second name!) she narrowly pipped Bram Gieben the current BIGWORD slam champion to the title with Robin Cairns and Nick Melville making it to the semis.
A good turnout and a fantastic pereformance from Sofia who we'll be seeing at a future Voxbox in a paid guest spot. The new knockout system had teething problems but was good fun. Nothing that can't be fixed.
A good turnout and a fantastic pereformance from Sofia who we'll be seeing at a future Voxbox in a paid guest spot. The new knockout system had teething problems but was good fun. Nothing that can't be fixed.
07/02/2008
PROSE SLAM
Get signed up for the first prose slam ever in Edinburgh! First Thursday in April.(the 3rd)
Two A4 pages in no less than 12pt size in a standard font double spaced Make it snappy and keep us happy!
A time limit will also be imposed on the night.!
06/02/2008
VoxBox GUEST NIGHT Thursday March 6th
Paul Summers (Ex Billy Liar, Liar Republic, Newcastle based poet)
Aidan Halpin (Poetry Vandal and Newcastle based poet)
Anneliesse Kellner-Joyce (London based poet for the first time in Edinburgh)
plus Legendary Edinburgh based Singer Songwriter Mike Dillon
Aidan Halpin (Poetry Vandal and Newcastle based poet)
Anneliesse Kellner-Joyce (London based poet for the first time in Edinburgh)
plus Legendary Edinburgh based Singer Songwriter Mike Dillon
14/01/2008
VoXboX Events 08
VoXboX hope to offer a variety of affordable and exciting events, slams and workshop. Lifting the lid on new writing. Aiming to nurture, invigorate and innovate
It's the brainchild of Kevin Cadwallender poet, writer and Anita Govan Performance poet & producer. Most events will take place at the Mercat Bar in West Maitland St. on the 1st Thursday of every month. Starting at 8pm. Door £3.
VoXboX SLAMS … Aim to promote a wide variety of different types of slams including: Individual, Over 50's, Prose and Team. This kind of variety has never been seen before in Scotland (see below). They will be run as knock out competition. Where writers battle it out, one on one to be the people's champion, chosen by the audience. To lift the VoXboX trophy and other amazing prizes including a paid gig and a published chapbook. Starting at 8pm Door £3.
VoXboX Guest Nights … will involve two special guest plus music and floor spot. It will be an opportunity to see a wide variety of Spoken word, poets and music from around the UK and beyond. VoXboX aims to invite a wide variety of acts, who have never been seen in Edinburgh as well as supporting new fresh talent from around Scotland. Door £3
VoXboX Writers Group … will offer up a series of 6 workshops in weekly sessions lead by leading poets and writers. Working on the processes of writing, performing and publishing poetry and prose. These will be accessible, affordable and tied in to the VoXboX events with special rate for attendance. (Day, time and price still to be confirmed).
For further information on VoXboX events or to join our email list contact us at voxboxinfo@yahoo.co.uk or contact Anita Govan on 07962912590/0131 557 3970
VoXboX Starting 7TH FEB 08
7 th February - INDIVIDUAL SLAM (poetry)
6 th March GIG - TBC
3 rd April SLAM - PROSE SLAM (prose)
1 st May GIG - TBC
5 thJune - SLAM TEAM SLAM (poetry)
3 rdJuly GIG - TBC
BREAK (Aug & Sept)
2 ndOct OVER 50s SLAM (poetry)
6 thNov Sotto Vox (THE QUIET SLAM)
4 thDec YOUTH SLAM
18th Dec VOXBOXMAS Special Delivery
For rules of Slams and more info please get in contact with
http://uk.f865.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=voxboxinfo@yahoo.co.uk
BIOG
Kevin Cadwallender was born in 1958 in Hartlepool. The song at number one was 'Great Balls of Fire' by Jerry Lee Lewis. He has been traumatised ever since. Graduating in English from the University of Sunderland, and getting an M.A. in Radio Production and management. He writes everything; poetry, plays, stories and hack music journalism. Poet in- Residence for Durham County Council, Museums, Libraries, Arts Department and at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Other jobs have included student nurse, policeman, clown, art lecturer, first aid attendant, record shop manager, drama organiser, sound engineer,santa, actor, roadie. His books include Public (Iron Press), Voyages (Cleveland Arts)(nominated for a Raymond Williams Award) and Baz Uber Alles (dogeater) . Shortlisted for the Sony Radio Awards for the BBC Radio 4 Soundscape production 'Voyages' which was adapted from the book of the same name.
His latest offering, 'Colouring in Guernica'. (Red Squirrel Press ) is a new collection of poetry, 'Dances with Vowels New and Selected Poems is available to preorder from Amazon, published by Smokestack Books and a novel 'Sugartown' is due this year from Red Squirrel Press.
He has read all over the world including New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, Prague, Berlin, Barcelona, London, Bremen, Oldenburg, Newcastle, Paris, Glasgow, St.Andrews and Edinburgh.
Biog
Anita Govan was born in Stirling and lives in Edinburgh. She has been actively involved in the artistic community of Edinburgh and Scotland for over sixteen years. Discovered to be severely dyslexic at ten, her long-term struggle to the written word has been packed full of twists, turns and surprises.
Training as a professional ballet dancer at a boarding school. She finally attained her 'O' grade English at twenty-two before going on to attain a qualification in Community Drama. It was studying with the Open University, she first started writing performance poetry. Going on to co-produce Big Word (Scotland) then beatniX, hosting poets from around the UK and Abroad
She has featured on TV and BBC Radio. Performing around the UK and abroad, including Prague (British Council) and New York (Scottish Arts Council). At the invitation of the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York, she attended the National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. She is also a member of The Scottish Book Trust, Live Literature scheme.
She is a poet whose dedication in raising the profile and awareness of performance poetry in Scotland is well documented. http://www.anitagovan.com/
Her first collection of poems JANE (Luath Press) was published in Nov 2005.
Biog
Anita Govan was born in Stirling and lives in Edinburgh. She has been actively involved in the artistic community of Edinburgh and Scotland for over sixteen years. Discovered to be severely dyslexic at ten, her long-term struggle to the written word has been packed full of twists, turns and surprises.
Training as a professional ballet dancer at a boarding school. She finally attained her 'O' grade English at twenty-two before going on to attain a qualification in Community Drama. It was studying with the Open University, she first started writing performance poetry. Going on to co-produce Big Word (Scotland) then beatniX, hosting poets from around the UK and Abroad
She has featured on TV and BBC Radio. Performing around the UK and abroad, including Prague (British Council) and New York (Scottish Arts Council). At the invitation of the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York, she attended the National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA. She is also a member of The Scottish Book Trust, Live Literature scheme.
She is a poet whose dedication in raising the profile and awareness of performance poetry in Scotland is well documented. http://www.anitagovan.com/
Her first collection of poems JANE (Luath Press) was published in Nov 2005.
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