On tonight's edition of Talking Earth, local poets Julia Gaskill and Stephen Meads discuss the Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam, the history of poetry slam nationals, poetry readings in Portland past, present and future, as well as reading their own poetry. The Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam will happen in downtown Portland on June 2nd and 3rd; the fundraisers Slam Olymics and Nerd Poetry Slam are also discussed.
Julia Gaskill's poetry has been published through Vagabond City Lit, Nailed Magazine, Knight’s Library Magazine, and more. She was included in the anthologies In Absentia (Bicycle Comics) and Excelsior! (FreezeRay Poetry), is the author of four chapbooks, is the co-creator of the Bigfoot Regional Poetry Slam festival, and runs the monthly show Slamlandia. Her debut full length collection, 'weirdo', came out through Game Over Books in October 2022. Find Julia at @geekgirlgrownup or juliagaskill.com
Stephen Meads, originally based in the Bay, now living and performing in Portland, has been performing spoken word for over twenty years. He has featured at slams all across the country – from Portland, Maine to Honolulu, Hawaii. Stephen stormed Individual World Poetry Slam in 2013, 2014, 2017, and has competed in the National Poetry Slam five times with various teams. He has been featured on Drunk in a Midnight Choir, SlamFind, Write About Now, and Button Poetry.
Patrick Bocarde hosts.
- KBOO