classic slam

The three-day Classic Slam is the largest Classic Poetry Slam in the world and includes hundreds of young poets from schools throughout California.  Young poets come together to perform Classic poems and original Spoken Word Response pieces, live, for a panel of judges.

QUARTER &
SEMI-FINALS

April 20-21
9am - 5pm
‍
Los Angeles Theater Center
514 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

GRAND SLAM FINALS

Saturday, April 23
7pm-10pm
‍
ACE Theater
929 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Classic Slam image
To reserve your seat, email andrea@getlit.org. arrive by 4:30pm to ensure your place in the audience.

get involved

Ashley August Image

ASHLEY AUGUST

Ashley August is black, alive and loves a good list! She is an afro-latina actress, author, playwright, activist, teaching artist, touring spoken word artist.

VANESSA TAHAY

Vanessa Tahay is a young Mayan poet from Totonicapan, Guatemala. Vanessa graduated from  Cleveland high school, she was named captain of the 2017 classic slam team and took first place for finals.

Vanessa Tahay image

QUARTER AND SEMIFINALS

April 21st & 22nd
10am & 2pm
Dynasty Typewriter & Get Lit Office

DYNASTY TYPEWRITER

2511 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057

MIDDLE SCHOOL SLAM

2511 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057

GET LIT
OFFICE

2511 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057

LAST YEAR'S top POEM

LAST YEAR'S Judges

Edwin Bodney
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Safia Elhillo
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Sam Rush
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Yesika Salgado
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faq

When can I begin teaching the program?

You can begin teaching the program as soon as you would like! Many of the schools begin now, and some start at the beginning of their second semester in January. Contact Laurie@GetLit.org for more information.

When does the Classic Slam take place?

The 2023 Classic Slam is taking place at LATC (Los Angeles Theater Center) on April 20 & 21, with Classic Slam Finals taking place at the Theatre at the ACE Hotel on Saturday April 22.

How many teams compete each day?

Roughly 50 teams compete in the Classic Slam quarterfinals each day. The top 8 teams from each day will go on to compete in the semifinals at the end of the day. The last four teams will compete at finals, and one will be champion!

Join us at the Classic Slam!

Contact us to see how you and your students can participate in our electric week of poetry.

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