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History of the Austin Poetry Slam

The Austin Poetry Slam (APS) has been a cornerstone of Texas poetry since 1994. Founded by Wammo of the Asylum Street Spankers and guided for 15 years by former Poetry Slam, Inc. president Mike Henry, APS quickly became known for its unforgettable, high-energy performances and for showcasing some of the most talented poets in the country.

Nationally, Austin Slam gained recognition for hosting the National Poetry Slam in 1998, 2006, and 2007, and for sending teams to the national finals stage in 1996, 2003, and 2008.

Over the years, APS has called many beloved Austin venues home, including the Electric Lounge, Mojo’s Daily Grind, Gaby & Mo’s, The Mercury, Ego’s Bar, the Scoot Inn, the ND, Progress Coffee, and the United States Art Authority, Spiderhouse, The Native Hostel, and most recently Alamo Drafthouse Mueller. Beyond the weekly slams, APS has also partnered with organizations and festivals and offers a monthly free writing workshop to poets who wish to expand their skills.

Today, Austin Poetry Slam continues its tradition of bold, dynamic spoken word every Wednesday night at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller inside the Barrel O’ Fun. Shows begin at 8:00 PM, with sign-up available for poets who want to take the mic. The slam is currently organized and hosted by longtime community leaders Mr. Dave, Christopher Michael, and Rachel Z., who are committed to keeping APS both a competitive stage and a welcoming space for new and veteran poets alike.

For more than 30 years, the Austin Poetry Slam has remained a space where artistry, competition, and community collide—continuing to inspire audiences and poets in Austin and beyond.

Why We Slam

How slam poetry was formed is not what matters to us. It started as a party trick to get people to come and watch poetry, and to this day it still carries that spirit. What is important to us is the community, the freedom, and the satisfaction of sharing your work. The points, the scores, and the competition are just a framework. The real reward comes from stepping on stage, being heard, and connecting with others through your words.

What Is Slam Poetry?

At its core, slam poetry is spoken word poetry presented in a competitive format. Poets perform original work on stage and are scored by judges selected at random from the audience. While the competition adds energy and immediacy, slam is ultimately about community engagement and giving poets a platform to share their voices.

Spoken word poetry is the broader art form. It is any poetry written with performance in mind, meant to be heard out loud rather than just read silently on the page. Slam poetry is one branch of spoken word, but not all spoken word happens in slams.

In short, spoken word is the art and slam is the game. Slam gives the art of spoken word a stage, a time limit, and an audience that gets to respond in real time, making it one of the most interactive and electric forms of poetry.

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