Spread the word if you have not already to area youth!
The series culminates in a final slam that qualifies 6 youth (who can make the leadership/training schedule commitment) to travel to San Francisco July 20-23 & represent MN for the Brave New Voices national youth poetry conference. www.bravenewvoices.com

Quest for the Voice Preliminary Slams
Youth 13-19 can compete. Most preliminaries are one round only. Semi Finals and Finals are 2 rounds so come with two dynamic/original poems, under 3 minutes. Any style/any topic. All prelims will have judges and score-keeping. The top 5-7 poems from each slam (based on sign up percentage) will advance to semi finals. Finals will be held at the U of M in late May. More info: www.mnspokenword.wordpress.com

Edison High School
Northeast Minneapolis
700 22nd Avenue Northeast
Minneapolis, MN 55418-3696
March 9th (wed), 3:10-5:10 : Rm 225

Hosted by The Poetry Club and Whitney Hough

(open to all + area youth) Free

Canvass Teen Center
St. Paul
1610 West Hubbard Ave. St. Paul
March 10th (thurs) -6-8pm

Free • Hosted by Kirstie Kimball

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Washburn High School
South Minneapolis
201 West 49th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55419-5588
March 10th (thurs)- 7-9pm (open to all + area youth)
Free • Hosted by Crystal Spring

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Perpich Performing Arts
Golden Valley
March Date/ During School
Free

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St. Paul Conservatory
Partnering with Golden Deli @ Golden’s
Located on the first floor of the historic Northwestern Building
275 East 4th Street Suite 102
Saint Paul, MN 55101
Downtown St. Paul
March 15 (Tues), 6-7:30pm
(open to all + area youth)
Free

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Oak Park Neighborhood Community Center
North Minneapolis
1701 Oak Park Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411-3997
March 17th (thur). 6pm
(open to all + area youth)
Free

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South High School
South Minneapolis
March Date/ During School
Free
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Bedlam Outloud
Brian Coyle Community Center
Riverside / West Bank 420 15th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55454.  Cross Streets: Between 5th St S and Cedar Ave S
March 12th, (sat) 2:30pm
Hosted by Bedlam Outloud’s Farrington & Abdi

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QUEST FOR THE VOICE (youth slam series)
Now in its 6th year, Quest is revitalized to re-establish the programs commitment to leadership, mentorship and community building. Partners help organize slams in different MN communities and youth will advance to a final slam held in May 2011. Finalists will represent MN in San Francisco in July at the Brave New Voices conference.  Dates and locations will be posted here.

SAY WORD! YOUTH POETRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, April 30th (location tba) a one day action packed day of Poetry. SAY WORD! is back. Formerly called the Youth Slam League, Say Word! had been reorganized into a Youth Poetry Festival, which offers an opportunity for more youth interested in spoken word to be reached across MN while building a movement around poetry and literacy. This is an exciting state-wide program and opportunity for youth. Any community, school, or neighborhood group of 4 -10 poets can form a team to slam in the festival. Four original poems are needed, and can be solos or group collaborations. Youth participants can be aged 13-19 years old. Groups can coach themselves or solicit a coach from the incredible Spoken Word community in the Twin Cities. Interested groups/teams simply need to email sha.mnswa@gmail.com to register their team. Winners walk away with the SAY WORD 2011 champion title + prizes.