By Roy L. Williams | Birmingham Public Library
Think you have what it takes to be crowned Birmingham Public Library’s 2026 Poetry Grand Slam champion?
Ten of the best poets in metro Birmingham will take the stage Friday, September 4, competing for $1,000 in cash prizes during BPL’s Bards and Brews Poetry Grand Slam, the biggest poetry slam of the year.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Thed Weller will host the Grand Slam, while singer/guitarist Ashley Sankey will provide musical entertainment.
The top three poets will take home a combined $1,000:
- First place: $500
- Second place: $300
- Third place: $200
Poets who want to compete can sign up on-site beginning at 6 p.m. The competition is limited to the first 10 poets who register. There is a $5 entry fee for slam participants. Admission is free to the public, but attendees must be 18 or older.
During a poetry slam, spoken-word poets perform their original work in timed rounds while five volunteer judges from the audience score their performances.
The highest-scoring poets advance through three rounds, with the final round determining the Grand Slam champion. If there is a tie, the poets will face off in a “slam-off” to determine the winner.
Audience participation is encouraged. Cheer for your favorite poets — and, in keeping with the spirited tradition of poetry slams, don’t be surprised if the audience boos the judges’ scores!
Bards & Brews is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Hosted by Thed Weller, this free event welcomes all voices, from first-time performers to seasoned spoken word artists. Step up, speak out, and discover why Bards & Brews has become one of Birmingham’s most inspiring gatherings for creative expression.
Check out an earlier spotlight on Bards and Brews from The Birmingham Times: Bards & Brews has gained a reputation as a unifying event for Birmingham’s arts community.
