Spring Break
Local slam poetry performances full of personality, persona
Jessi Stafford
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Verve
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Some people, however, don't know the everyday Holgerson. In fact, some people may not even know him by his real name. They would better know him as Booger and, as such, he would likely be wearing silver cowboy boots and tie dye.
And Booger is a slam poet.
"It's a persona. It's personality plus," he said.
Booger, in addition to three others, is a slam master for a local slam poetry contest at the Bean Cycle and Matter Bookstore every first Friday of every month, making this Friday at 8 p.m. the next battle.
"It's the best free performance in town," Booger said.
Slam poetry began in the '80's in Chicago as a new wave of performance poetry, and, has since made its way around the country into smoke-filled bars and vibrant cafes.
"It's a dynamic art," Booger said. "It's about presentation, it's not written. It's 50 percent poetry and 50 percent presentation."
And the audience is expected to participate as well, he says. It's as much about the poet as it is those listening.
Donations are also part of the show, as audience members are encouraged to chip in for the winning poet's post-victory celebration.
But donations don't always end up being of a monetary sort, as the jar usually ends up with Twinkies, bike parts, make-up and other random contributions, Booger says.
The real sh**
Paul Skogerboe competed for the first time the first Friday in April and won fourth place. His style has a rap-like rhythm to it, which, according to Booger, is blossoming among the college-age crowd.
"It's a good way to express myself," Skogerboe said. "It's self-reflection, expression, you know, yada yada."
Skogerboe has been in rap groups for three years and finds there are plenty differences between rapping on stage and performing spoken word before an audience.
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