Celebrating Marc Kelly Smith and the Impact of Poetry Slams

Poets are everywhere, a fact celebrated at the Newberry Library on July 25. This event honored Marc Kelly Smith, the creator of the Uptown Poetry Slam. It marked the 40th anniversary of the first slam, held and still hosted at the Green Mill, and commemorated the Newberry’s acquisition of materials documenting the slam’s history.

The collection includes photos, programs, publicity materials, and personal notes from Smith. Among the artifacts are a pair of boxing gloves gifted by the late poet and artist Tony Fitzpatrick. Alison Hinderliter, curator of modern manuscripts at the Newberry, described the acquisition as a significant gift to both the library and Chicago.

Hinderliter and her team are diligently processing, organizing, and cataloging the collection. Parts of it will be available for public exploration and research by the end of the year, but full processing may take up to three years. Another slam event is scheduled for World Poetry Slam Day on September 26, which will be celebrated in 50 cities across France and 15 countries including the Ivory Coast and Mexico.

It’s amazing to see how far the slam has grown. It’s a global phenomenon.

Hinderliter said. The slam’s influence extends even to the New York Times’ crossword puzzle, where slam was the solution to the clue Poetry competition.

Some might still wonder what a poetry slam entails. A slam is described as an organized chaos of words, a competition among poets judged by randomly chosen audience members. Reactions are expressed through finger snapping, foot stomping, or even hissing. The winning poet receives $10.

These events occur in various settings, catering to audiences of all demographics. Hinderliter noted the overwhelming response from poets who have sent in books and magazines for display. This acknowledges Smith’s impact on poetry.

Marc Kelly Smith holds a revered place in Chicago’s cultural scene. His work has been extensively covered, and he remains a significant influence in the world of poetry. Michelle Boone from The Poetry Foundation and Adrian Matejka of Poetry magazine attended the Newberry event, acknowledging the work Smith has done to promote poetry.

When asked why he writes poetry, Matejka explained, Poetry is the only way I know to make sense of what’s happening around me. His works help provide clarity through metaphor and simile in times when everyday language falls short.

Another poet, Dylan Weir, shared a similar sentiment. He highlighted poetry’s ability to capture truths that prose cannot, emphasizing its non-linear and expressive nature.

The essence of poetry is captured by words from Marc Kelly Smith years ago: Poetry is the heart of the people and the people is everyone.