Everything's bigger in Texas, including the collaborations. And well, some poems aren't meant to be performed alone.

Welcome to the inaugural Texas Two Step, Austin Poetry Slam's newest signature event and what we hope becomes a tradition for years to come.

The Texas Two Step is Austin Poetry Slam's newest competition, built entirely around duet poetry. We're inviting ten teams to take the floor for an evening that celebrates collaboration, chemistry, and the kind of writing that only happens when two poets are willing to meet each other halfway.

The best duet poems don't simply split the lines down the middle. They anticipate, interrupt, harmonize, challenge, and elevate one another. It's less about taking turns and more about finding the rhythm together. That's the spirit behind The Texas Two Step.

This is the first year we're lacing up our boots for this event, and we hope it's the beginning of a new Austin Poetry Slam tradition. So grab your favorite writing partner, dust off your best collaborative work or write something brand new and step onto the dance floor.

Ten teams will answer the call. Five will survive the second round. In the end, two teams will have one last dance for a $1,000 winner-take-all prize.

Whether you're perfectly in step or making it up as you go, we can't wait to see where the music between two voices takes you.

This is the Texas Two Step. Let's Dance. 🤠