Statewide Poetry Slam Championship Kicks Off in Maricopa for Its 9th Epic Year

Flagstaff’s Lydia Gates, a celebrated slam poet and former champion, will take on the role of emcee for the upcoming ninth annual All-Arizona Poetry Slam Championship. This highly anticipated event is organized by the Maricopa ARTS Council and will showcase the talent of poets from across Arizona.

The championship is set for April 12 at 44400 Honeycutt Road, Suite 109, with free admission for all attendees. Participants will compete for a total prize pool of $1,000, with the first-place winner earning $450, second place $325, and third place $225.

The competition consists of three elimination rounds, with audience members acting as judges. Poets who have triumphed in local slams from locations like Flagstaff, Prescott, Phoenix, Sedona, and Maricopa are automatically qualified for the event. Others can enter through a lottery system, with registration available via the event’s Facebook page.

Each poet must present original work that lasts no longer than three minutes, performed without props or costumes. Given its nature as a free-speech event, attendees should be prepared for mature themes and strong language.

Doors will open at 5:20 p.m. for an “Art-on-the-Spot” prelude, showcasing Maricopa artist Kaui Wilson. The poetry slam itself will kick off at 6:45 p.m., and during intermissions, awards for MAC’s 2025 online Abstract Art Contest will be presented.