A little-known form of poetry has been getting slammed in the city – and it’s a good thing.
Interest in Ottawa’s slam poetry culture has been growing steadily for almost two years, says local poet Nathanael Larochette.
The Capital Poetry Collective, a small group of local poets, usually hosts Capital Slam once a month at the Mercury Lounge in the market, but consistently sold out shows have convinced them to try a second night, with an extended open mic session, on Feb. 21 in addition to its Feb. 7 show.
“People are getting turned away at the door, and on the sign-up lists.” Larochette says.
If that second evening goes well, Larochette hopes to add a second night in March and April.
“It’s happening of its own accord." he says. "We’re not dropping flyers from airplanes or anything like that."
One of the new performers on Feb. 7, who slammed under his stage name Jonathan Appleseed, said the experience was so addictive he has to go back.
“There was all this energy coming from the crowd, and it just feeds into your performance,” Appleseed says.
Appleseed says the art form is popular because it's accessible.
“It’s a form of poetry that’s trying to get to the rhythms of everyday speech.”
Appleseed says the informal structure of the poetry allows people to express themselves without getting bogged down by rules.
Every performer is allotted three minutes, with only two conditions: no props, and it has to be original material. This makes for an unpredictable mix of comedy, hip-hop, singing, and storytelling, says Larochette.
Capital Slam is not just art for Larochette – it’s his day job, too.
As part of Expose, the city of Ottawa’s anti-tobacco industry campaign, Larochette visits Ottawa high schools to slam about media messaging, the tobacco industry, and self esteem.
Jeff Miller, a public health nurse with Expose, says Larochette connects with students unresponsive to conventional teaching methods.
"It gives the students a chance to become self-aware, gain self-confidence and start to think critically. They can then apply those new skills to help themselves quit smoking,” says Miller.