A "Haiku Death Match" @ Heights Arts Studio

That's right, the Haiku Death Match. Well, okay, it doesn't have to be haiku -- any short 17-ish syllable poem is ok; it's not a match, it's more like a mini-tournament, and there's no death involved. Two poets stand on stage. Nervously sorting through their papers, ignoring the slightly rowdy audience, they endure the moderator's explanation of how the game works, the pre-game coin-toss to decide who goes first, and then the excitement starts.

One poet reads a haiku, then the other tries to top the first poem in some respect, funnier, quirkier, sadder, in order to get more audience votes. A cat haiku may top another cat haiku, both topped by a dog or a parrot or an ex-spouse haiku, or someone may go off in an altogether different direction. Each round of the game is 11 or 15 haiku by each poet. The poems are short; the time goes fast; the audience ohs, ahs, laughs, applauds, falls silent in reprobation or appreciation, and then votes.

Unlike your ordinary poetry reading, where the audience is made up largely of other poets waiting for that annoying buzz to stop coming out of the speakers so they can pour their own golden words into the microphone, this audience LISTENS. They listen because they get to say which poets continue and which sit down. The points don't count, and which poet is declared the winner is not important. What is important is that you get to hear a lot of really good haiku, laugh a lot, and perhaps walk away with an insight or two.

Want to participate? There are still one or two performance openings, so if you're interested, email Marcus Bales (marcus@designerglass.com) or Peggy Spaeth (pspaeth@heightsarts.org) as soon as possible so we can put you on the list. The Haiku Death Match takes place on Saturday, October 25 at 2340 Lee Rd., Cleveland Heights (west side of library bridge). Call 371-3457 or visit http://www.heightsarts.org for more information. No cost to participate or watch.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Marcus Bales marcusATdesignerglass.com
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