KFC’s “Poetry Slam” marks a year of growing voices 

Three hundred and sixty-five days, hundreds of verses, dozens of voices amplified, and a poetry scene that has bubbled far beyond its initially imagined reach.
Over the past year, Guyana’s spoken-word scene has refused to let the fire die, as those who are now part of the poetry scene are ready to celebrate in style.
Month after month, poets have stepped up to the microphone at the KFC Poetry Slam, baring their own original stories, sharpening their pencils, and captivating audiences, while videos of their performances have gone on to surpass hundreds of thousands of views across social media platforms.
Held on the last Thursday of each month at Scotty’s Smokehouse and Chill, the Poetry Slam has become a recurring meeting point for Guyana’s spoken-word community – a space where established voices and emerging poets share the same stage, compete, collaborate and, perhaps most importantly, find an audience willing to listen.
While some may view the initiative as a rejuvenation of a poetry scene that existed in Guyana before, others see something subtler taking shape: the steady growth of a larger creative community, one increasingly focused on giving poets the space and opportunity to showcase their work.
Poetry Slam Guyana creates a platform for creatives within the performing arts to bring their work to the public, with particular emphasis on the art of spoken word.
Speaking with this publication, one of the event’s core organisers, Nathaniel Powers, said the initiative has helped foster a strong network and sense of family among the poets since its inception. He said the organisers have therefore chosen to host a Grand Slam, where poets will compete on a much more serious level to determine a yearly winner.
Previously, judging was based on the “Poet of the Night” format, where the winning poet received prizes from various generous sponsors through audience judging.
However, for the anniversary showcase this month, the competition will be a test of endurance, with poets battling for bragging rights, among other attractive prizes, through judging by designated judges as well as audience votes.
Powers noted that beyond the business aspect of the initiative, the organisers are focused on building a lasting poetic community, something he said has existed in Guyana in the past but was often short-lived.
Powers said the organisers are now seeking to strengthen that community and maintain consistency among its members. He noted that even this month, when the focus shifted to competition, the usual rehearsals and workshops were paused.
According to him, the regular gatherings had become such an important part of the poets’ experience that participants were already expressing how much they missed meeting with one another.
He said the goal is to continue nurturing that sense of community and strengthen the bond that has developed among the poets, which has transcended the realm of just business.
“I think that’s worth more than any business out there. Poetry is a form of therapy; it is a form of building community, friendship and laughter. There’s so much humour and so much connection, and I can see people just waiting.”

Birthday surprises
Not only does spoken word cater to poetry enthusiasts, but it also opens the doors for persons who are celebrating special moments in their lives, including birthdays and other occasions.
“And one of the things that happens is we actually give the birthday people gifts. Yeah, so we give away a lot of stuff, and every night, if there’s somebody’s birthday, they always end up going home with stuff.”
In fact, couples are not left out of the action either.
“The thing about it is couples, couples – so all the single people, that’s where they need to be. Indeed, quite a few people use Poetry Slam events to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and stuff like that. We haven’t got any wedding on the spot yet, but we’re hoping for that very soon. You know, Poetry Slam has so many spin-offs, because if I want to celebrate my birthday and my friends love a good laugh and stuff, they can connect with the Poetry Slam team; they can put your event together, man.”

T&T performer
In fact, to commemorate the Poetry Slam’s anniversary, the Board of Directors has taken things up a notch by inviting Trinidad and Tobago’s National Poetry Slam champion, Jochelle Johnson, to perform for patrons.
Powers said Johnson’s participation represents a new regional chapter for the Poetry Slam, as the initiative seeks to expose Guyanese audiences to different approaches to spoken-word poetry across the Caribbean.
“Well, something that is going to be quite different and quite amazing about this month is that we have invited Jochelle Johnson, the National Poetry Slam winner of Trinidad and Tobago, to come in the Slam. So now the Slam has opened that door on a regional level, where we have targeted, from a Guyanese perspective, we are bringing other forces along to show how big spoken-word poetry can be, as well as get a different look of spoken-word poetry in the other Caribbean countries.”
Tickets for the Poetry Slam were available through members of GT Gimmicks and the 14 participating poets.
On Saturday, 14 poets vied for various prizes, including trips to Kaieteur Falls, monetary prizes and other incentives.