BlackPearlPoetry hosts TREETOP POETRY FESTIVAL Thursday and Friday!

Every year cities all over the country send teams to the National Poetry Slam.
In order to do so, they have to compete against other teams in their area beforehand.
Every year this happens in Flagstaff, AZ.
NOT THIS YEAR.

This year Black Pearl Poetry serves as the host for the 2010 Treetop Poetry Festival!

This is a multiple day event which starts on Weds and runs on until Saturday!

THURSDAY is the first day of competition like you've never seen here before. This is the first multiple team bout of its' kind to happen in the metro valley area so come and be a part of history!

THURSDAY'S bout will be held at BlackPearlPoetryTempeThursday at the MADCAP Theaters, from 7:30-10:30.
MADCAP THEATERS
730 S. Mill Ave
Tempe, AZ

There will be music and an OPEN MIC, but come out on time if you want to sign up and read!

Then you get to watch three teams, that's TWELVE POETS battle on behalf of their cities!

BlackPearlPoetry (Phoenix/Tempe)
Mesa
Flagstaff

In this mix you have former World Poetry Slam Champions, National Poetry Slam Semi-Finalists and Finalists, Southwest Shootout Champions, Great Plains Poetry Slam Champions, HBO Def Poets and more!

If you've been wondering what a poetry slam looks like, feels like, sounds like, then this is your chance to witness it all!

Admission for this event is ONLY FIVE DOLLARS!

(think of it as having 12 featured poets in one night from all over just to please you)

We only ask you a few things-

bring cash for the poets merchandise
bring friends, lots of friends
be ready to cheer, scream, and act a fool
be ready to never look at poetry the same again!

See you this Thursday night!

MLK Day Celebration featuring Gil Scott Heron LIVE IN CONCERT!

Black Pearl Poetry Presents: 
Gil Scott-Heron Live 

on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan 18, 2010 in Tempe

The legendary Gil Scott-Heron will perform in Tempe, Arizona on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Black Pearl Poetry's second offering in the concert series, “Again for the First Time.” This world renowned poet and musician will be featuring along with members of his original band in two evening performances for this one landmark evening at the MADCAP Theaters in Tempe (730 S. Mill Ave- intersection of Seventh & Mill Ave.). Ticket prices range from $10-25 for the 6:30 and 9pm shows. VIP package specials range from $50-$75.
You can purchase tickets in advance from this site. Just look over to the right
Also performing that evening will be grammy nominated artist
Kevin Sandbloom & 
10 piece soul/funk band Hot Birds and the Chili Sauce.
For more information on ticket sales, please call 614.623.0687 
or visit www.madcaptheaters.com
or www.blackpearlpoetry.net/gilscott 
www.GilScott-Heron.info

Tempe, Arizona – December 1, 2009 – Black Pearl Poetry, in association with MADCAP Theaters, presents its second major concert of the “Again for the First Time” series on January 18th, 2010. Gil Scott-Heron will perform selections spanning a lifetime of music on the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, with showtimes at 6:30 and 9pm. The concert demonstrates Black Pearl's continued commitment to bring a new standard of major performance poetry events to Arizona.
Gil Scott-Heron is a legendary spoken word poet and musician, with a pioneering body of work that gave rise to all of today's major African American genres, including neo-soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop. Many also consider him to be the Godfather of Rap. Scott-Heron proved to be a dominant voice during the 1960's and 70's, with an unrelentingly fierce political consciousness that pressed his artistry to the forefront of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. This cultural icon boasts an extensive discography spanning the last five decades. Countless contemporary artists and activists look to Scott-Heron as their inspiration, and look forward to new infusions of his perspective—he will release his first album in over thirteen years in 2010.

Winners of Black Pearl's “MLK Day: What It Means to Me” Youth Art & Poetry Contest will be announced, and local art dealers and area vendors will showcase African-American wares for this unforgettable evening. Proceeds from the concert will fund college scholarships for high school members of South Mountain VOICE, and also help send the Phoenix winner of the Women of the World Poetry Slam on to the world poetry slam competition in Ohio.

The official hotel for the MLK Day Celebration 

is the ALOFT Tempe.

Press and Media Contact:
DaVaun Sanders
Public Relations Assistant
Black Pearl Poetry
Phone: 602.717.8357
Email: davaunwrites@gmail.com

New Shows on Thursdays and Fridays Starting September 10th!

THURSDAY SEPT 10th-
The show you've heard about and been waiting for! This show will include- Open Mic for anyone to sign up, a feature by 9th ranked National Slam Team Phoenix, a Women only Poetry Slam, and a exclusive feature by HBO Def Poet ALVIN LAU!
It all goes down from 7:30-10p.m. at MADCAP Theater- 730 S. Mill Ave. next to Uno's in TEMPE.

ABOUT BOTH BLACK PEARL POETRY SHOWS & SCHEDULES

BLACK PEARL POETRY- TEMPE
This event will happen every Thursday from 7:30-10p.m. at the MADCAP Theaters and will consist of-
Open Mic Poetry (anyone in attendance can sign up to read, it is all ages and uncensored)
Poetry Slams for those interested in:
- competing at any Poetry Slam Inc. (PSI) events*
-competing at any Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
events representing ASU*
Featured Poets from around the country
For more info on parking or to buy tickets in advance go to www.madcaptheaters.com
$5 reg admission/ $4 Students
* Schedule permitting these slams will be on separate Thursdays from each other.


FRIDAY SEPT. 11th-
BLACK PEARL POETRY DOWNTOWN
The only weekly downtown open mic and slam in Phoenix! Black Pearl Poetry's downtown location is at the brand new Civic Space Park's Fair Trade Cafe, 424 N. Central Ave. This spot is in the courtyard of the renovated AE England building in the middle of the park. (Just follow the larger than life glowing artwork to our steps.)

This show will happen every Friday from 7:30-10p.m. and will include:

- an all ages Open Mic (but keep in mind we do not censor anyone)
- Nationally Featured Artists
- Poetry Slams for adults wishing to compete in Poetry Slam Inc. (PSI) events*
- ASU students wishing to compete in Association of College Unions International (ACUI) events*
- Teens ages 14-19 who wish to compete in Brave New Voices events.*

*These slams for each of the 3 categories will happen on their own individual Fridays.

Questions, Press, and comments may be directed to-
blackpearlpoetry@gmail.com