Bards & Brews Returns to the Central Library September 5 with Final Poetry Slam of 2025
When: Friday, September 5, 2025 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. (on-site registration opens at 6:00 p.m.)
Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203
Details: Join host Thed Weller as 10 spoken word poets battle it out for $350 in cash prizes ($200 1st place, $100 2nd, $50 3rd). Entertainment will be provided by featured musical artist Nina Chanel.
A $5 entry fee is required for competing poets (first 10 to register on-site). Admission is free to the public. Ages 18+ to enter; must be 21+ with valid ID to drink.
Sponsors: Bards & Brews is presented by the Birmingham Public Library, supported by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library.
Birmingham, Ala. - The Birmingham Public Library invites you to experience the magic of spoken word as Bards & Brews hosts its third and final poetry slam of 2025 at the Central Library downtown on Friday, September 5. Thed Weller will again serve as host and singer Nina Chanel will serve as musical entertainment.
Ten poets will compete for $350 in cash prizes, with $200 awarded to first place, $100 to second place, and $50 to third place. Winners will be chosen by five volunteer judges from the audience.
How the Slam Works:
A poetry slam is a lively competition where poets perform original work in timed rounds. Each performance is scored by the judges on a scale of 1 to 10. The high and low scores are dropped, with the middle three averaged for the final score.
The top-scoring poets will advance through three rounds, with one final round determining the champion. In the case of a tie, a “slam-off” will decide the winner. Audience members are encouraged to cheer their favorites, and even boo the judges’ scores!
Competition Rules at a Glance:
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Poems must be original works (poets may sample up to 30 seconds from another artist).
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Each performance has a 3-minute limit + 10-second grace period (20 seconds in the final round). Exceeding the limit results in a score deduction.
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Judges must remain impartial, cannot be related to or close friends of competitors, and must commit to staying for the entire competition.
Additional Details:
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On-site poet registration begins at 6:00 p.m. The first 10 poets to sign up and pay the $5 entry fee will compete.
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Entertainment between rounds will be provided by featured singer Nina Chanel.
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Attendees ages 21+ can enjoy free samples of alcoholic beverages with proof of age.
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Admission is free and open to the public (18+).
Now in its 15th year, Bards & Brews has become one of BPL’s most popular programs, known for uniting Birmingham’s arts community and providing a stage for some of the city’s most talented spoken word performers.
📲 For more information, follow BPL on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, and check out the Bards & Brews Facebook page for updates.
Written by Roy L. Williams, PR Director | Birmingham Public Library
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