Contemporary Poetry in the Carolinas and beyond
About Wit’s End Poetry
Established in 2002 by Kimberly J Simms, Wits End Poetry is the longest running poetry slam and the longest running open mic in South Carolina and the Upstate! 501 (C) 3
Wits End Poetry is a full 501 (c) (3) tax exempt non-profit and SC charity. Our programs improve literacy and help build creative capital in South Carolina. We are in desparate need of donations to expand our educational programs, as well as to continue to bring nationally recognized poets to our area. We receive support from the South Carolina Arts Commission, SouthArts, Alternate Roots, the City of Greenville, and the Metropolitan Arts Council.
Wits End Poetry is working to make poetry as familiar to people in Greenville
County, as it is to people in New York, LA, and Chicago. The power of poetry lies
in its appeal and relevance to diverse audiences and youth. Wits End Poetry
encourages the use of performance poetry in education to produce more creative
and literate students.
We bring poets from across the country to Greenville county, as well as organize
live events across the state; provide resources to up-and-coming writers through
our website; and promote community building among writers both in Greenville
County and across the South East.
Wits End Poetry's core mission is to:
1. to advocate, promote, support, witness, and /or perpetuate the art of
poetry
2. to promote and encourage poetry events and those who organize them
3. to promote the use of performance poetry in education
4. to celebrate diverse artists and their stories
For additional information on how to donate please email witsendpoetrysc@gmail.com. All donations are tax deductible. In-kind donations are also appreciated.
Events held at Coffee Underground at 1 East Coffee Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
2023 Annual Report
Our Say What Show season ran all year round with shows held on Sundays both at the Coffee Underground and the Radio Room. Our King of the South, Queen of the South, and Carolina Regional were our most popular shows and they all sold out. The Say What slam team formed in January 2023 and competed in the Southern Fried Poetry Slam in Louisville, KY where they placed 10th in the nation. This year the Metropolitan Arts Council, South Carolina Arts Commission, South Arts, and the City of Greenville A Tax all sponsored our weekly events. Our events also included opportunities for local audiences to ask questions of and get books signed by traveling poets, as well as opportunities for locals to share their own poetry in our open mic.
As part of our youth outreach goal, we continue to partner with the SmartARTS progam to work with students across Greenville County.
Calendar
Wits End Poetry Every Sunday at Coffee Underground 7:30
Check out past shows on our YouTube Channel Carolina Poets
Education Outreach
Wits End Poetry sponsors Poetry Slam Residencies in Greenville County schools in partnership with SmartARTS!
We have previously worked with League Academy, Tanglewood Middle School, Greenville High School, South Side High School, and Carolina High School.
Pre-pandemic education outreach included poetry clubs and an annual teen poetry slam.
What is Poetry Slam?
A poetry slam is an event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience. Typically, the host or another organizer select the judges, who are instructed to give numerical scores (on a zero to 10 ) based on the poet's content and performance.
The National Poetry Slam and Southern Fried Poetry Slam are annual slam championship tournament, wherein four-person teams from all over North America and Europe gather to compete against each other for the national title. It has become part Super Bowl, part poetry summer camp, and part traveling exhibition. Staged in a different city each year, the National Poetry Slam has emerged as slam's highest-profile showcase. The indivdual World Poetry Slam was created by our founder Kimberly Simms and held initially in Greenville, SC in 2004. Kimberly Simms also conceptualized the Queen of the South Poetry Slam and the Women of the World Poetry Slam while serving on the executive council of the national non-profit Poetry Slam Inc from 2005-2007.
Participants
Generally, you may sign up for a poetry slam at the door on the night of the slam. But some big money slams may require advanced reqistration. Though everyone who signs up has the opportunity to read in the first round, poets may be eliminated based on judges' scores. In other words, the judges vote for which poets they want to see more work from.
Sponsors
Thank you to our 2023-2024 Sponsors including the Metropolitan Arts Council, SouthARTS, the City of Greenville A Tax, and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
Sunday Night FAQ. Every Sunday Night 7:30 pm at Coffee Underground 1 E. Coffee Street. Featured poets, Slam and our Weekly Open Mic
Can I read my poem from the page? Yes
We welcome both poems read from the page and performance poetry on all subjects.
What is the Time Limit? 3 minutes
Time limit is maximum 3 minutes per poet:
- Optionally share the title of your poem and a one-sentence intro. (This poem is called XYZ and I was inspired by XYZ).
- After you read your poem, optionally share your instagram or website or book title.
- No literary analysis.
On nights without a feature, if time permits, we will invite poets to read a second poem.
What time does the show end?
Open mic nights end at 9pm. Slam ends at 9:30.
Can you play a track for me? Yes
Please see DJ Southern Stylz to have your track played behind your poem or rap.
What type of language is allowed?
Audiences - please keep in mind that poetry may touch on mature subject matter, and we do not recommend our shows for young students.
Open Mic Nights: PG-13. While this is a free speech zone, we want everyone to feel welcome. Please curate yourself for a early Sunday night show that may have students in the audience - use PG-13 as a guide. No graphic violence or graphic erotica.
And in this spirit of creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, no racist, sexist, or homophobic language. All cultures and religions welcome!
Poetry Slam: Restricted - those under 18 must have a parent. In this spirit of creating an environment where everyone feels welcome -no racist, sexist, or homophobic language.
What about singer/songwriters? Yes
Yes you may sing a song in the open mic but the four minute time limit still applies. You may also play acoustic guitar. Please note there is no set up time or mic checks.
Can I make a speech or announcements? No
All announcements must be given to the host in writing before the show for consideration. After you read your poem, optionally share your Instagram or website or book title. But no event announcements or other community plugs. No speeches.
Is Distributing Materials Allowed? No
You may leave materials on a table in the gallery for the audience to pick up, but you may not hand out fliers, cards, or other papers.
Can I make a speech or tell a story? No
No religious or political speeches.No literary analysis of your poem. If you wish to meet our constituents or make election announcements please contact Kimberly at witsendpoetrysc@gmail.com at least 24-hours in advance for consideration.
Can I do a comedy set? No.
This is a poetry open mic. There is a comedy open mic on Monday nights at Coffee Underground.
How can I interact with the show? Clap or snap after each poem.
This is a supportive environment and an opportunity to listen to other diverse voices. No heckling. No announcements from the audience. Please take phone calls and have conversations outside in the gallery.
Please email Kimberly Simms with questions and for more information. Kimberly J Simms is a poet from Greenville, SC working to elevate poetry and the arts in her hometown #yeahthatgreenville.