Celebrating Marc Kelly Smith and the Global Reach of Poetry Slams

Poets can be found everywhere, as evidenced by a recent celebration at the Newberry Library honoring Marc Kelly Smith. Smith, known for creating the Uptown Poetry Slam, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first slam at the Green Mill. During the event, the Newberry formally accepted a collection of materials documenting the history of poetry slams, including photos, programs, and Smith’s personal notes.

Alison Hinderliter, curator of modern manuscripts at the Newberry, highlighted the significance of this collection. She noted the materials’ value to both the library and the city of Chicago. The collection includes diverse items, such as boxing gloves given to Smith by Tony Fitzpatrick, adding a personal touch to its historical importance.

The Newberry staff is diligently working to process the collection. They aim to make portions available for public exploration and research by the year’s end, with the full project expected to take up to three years. Another slam event is scheduled for September 26, coinciding with World Poetry Slam Day, a new event featuring activities in places like France, the Ivory Coast, and Mexico.

Slam poetry has grown into a global phenomenon. Its influence was evident in a recent New York Times crossword, where the clue for poetry competition was answered with ‘slam’. The influence of slam poetry is far-reaching, with Marc Kelly Smith being a central figure in its creation and evolution.

Understanding the essence of a slam is important for newcomers. A slam is a competitive event among poets with diverse talent levels. Judges, chosen at random from the audience, score performances. Audience reactions range from snapping fingers to foot stomping. The winning poet receives a $10 prize. Slams are held in various venues, from stages to laundromats, embracing all audiences.

Hinderliter noted the widespread interest generated by the anniversary event. Many poets have sent in books and magazines related to slam poetry, demonstrating Marc Kelly Smith’s influence. These materials will be displayed at the upcoming September event.

Michelle Boone of The Poetry Foundation, alongside Adrian Matejka of Poetry magazine, attended the August celebration. Matejka remarked on the ingenuity required to create spaces for poetry. He explained that poetry provides a means to articulate frustrations and curiosities.

Matejka, a respected poet, shared insights into his writing process. Poetry helps him process and express emotions that everyday language struggles to capture. His works, including ‘Be Easy: New and Selected Poems’, highlight this expressive journey.

Young Chicago poet Dylan Weir shared his perspective on poetry. For Weir, poetry offers an outlet to articulate thoughts and emotions that ordinary conversation might miss. His first collection, ‘Public House’, showcases this personal exploration.

The reflections of these poets align with a sentiment once expressed by Marc Kelly Smith. During a performance at the Green Mill, he said, ‘Poetry is the heart of the people and the people is everyone.’