- This event has passed.
Slamming Bricks 2023 Poetry Slam
September 9, 2023 @ 5:00 pm - 9:30 pm
The largest 2SLGBTQ+ regional poetry slam in the Four Corners Region is coming to the Avalon Theater!
This year the poetry slam is a free all-ages show (mature content, parental discretion advised)! Doors open at 5:00 PM with the show starting at 6:00 PM. Free tickets can be reserved in advance through The Avalon Theater.
Slamming Bricks is an annual slam poetry competition in its fifth year produced by the Western Colorado Writer’s Forum and organized by Caleb Ferganchick during Colorado West Pride’s Pride Week in Grand Junction, Colorado.
Slamming Bricks is an intersectional competition exploring resistance and liberation in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Poets from all over the American West compete in four rounds of poetry in a battle for the brick.
Slamming Bricks has featured Colorado Poet Laureate, Bobby LeFebre, and star of HBO’s Emmy-nominated show We’re Here, Eureka O’Hara.
A Slamming Bricks documentary by Fruita cinematographer, Rachel DeWeber, will be screened prior to the poetry slam and a special stand-up comedy performance by Joke Junction’s, Emilie Stickley, will also be featured.
Live ASL interpretation is provided during the event and a live stream will be available for remote viewing.
Various nonprofits will be on site to connect community members to information and resources.
Competing for the brick this year:
Adrienne Cascarella
Autumn Meadows
Sabrina Zachary
Nico Wilkinson
Heather Nicholson
Charles Dalton Telschow
Brianna Hammerstrom
Tempest Juliet
With extra special guest judges:
Avery Brooks (Slamming Bricks Anthology Editor)
Corey Spurlock (Slamming Bricks Trophy Designer)
Danny Rosen (Owner of Lithic Press)
Mackenzie Benanati (Slamming Bricks 2019 Champion)
Aerik Francis (Slamming Bricks 2022 Champion)
Slamming Bricks 2023 was made possible thanks to the following sponsors:
Dynamic Dreams
The Avalon Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation
Western Colorado Community Foundation
Western Colorado Health Network
Lithic Press
Western Colorado Alliance
Universal Unitarian Congregation of the Grand Valley
2nd Saturday
Vistas & Vineyards
Jeremy & Preston Franklin
Ruzin Creative
Mutual Aid Partners
Fidels Cocina / Spoke & Vine Motel
Delta Pride
Loving Beyond Understanding
Ability Advocates
League of Women Voters
Karis, Inc.
Talking Gourds
Dancing in My Head Photography
Paradise Theater
Kiln Coffee
Powderhorn
Stephen Hook
Nathan Prentiss
Jamie Porta