After a sold-out debut that left audiences moved to tears and cheering for more, Poetry Slam: Spoken Word is back for its second edition this Sunday, October 26th at Searoc Sky Lounge. And according to organizers, this one’s going to be even better than the first.
The collaboration between Omar Edghill & Hadassah Headly who founded Nightlife592 and Mark Kassim founder of GT Gimmicks later joined the team and together they launched just last month, but it’s already changing the landscape for performance poetry in Guyana. What started as a long-held dream to revive spoken word culture has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the entertainment calendar.
“People are starved for entertainment that makes them feel something,” says Mark Kazim, actor, entertainer, and one of the creative minds behind the initiative. “It’s not a party, it’s emotional, it’s thoughtful, it’s real. You go through every emotion with the poets.”
The inaugural Poetry Slam brought together some of Guyana’s most talented performers, including Mark Luke-Edwards, Latiefa Agard, and Mishael Henry, to a packed venue that responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. Attendees were already asking about the next show before they’d even left the venue.
Now, the team is promising an even more polished experience for tomorrow’s edition. “We’re fixing the few hiccups from the first show,” Kazim explained. “This one’s going to be hotter than the first.”
The event represents more than just a night of entertainment, it’s a revival of a cultural tradition that had been missing from Guyana’s creative scene. Kazim’s passion for spoken word began years ago at poetry nights that eventually ended but left a lasting impact. His own platform, Word Spoken, featured local poets because he always believed that “Guyanese people don’t realise how special our poets are.”
Performers from last Poetry SlamWhat sets Poetry Slam apart is its commitment to treating poets as professional artists. Every featured performer is compensated for their craft, regardless of whether they win the audience vote. “If we feature twelve poets, all twelve get paid and receive a small gift,” Kazim emphasizes.
Each month, attendees vote for a Poet of the Night, with winners eventually competing in a Grand Slam showcase. The first Poet of the Night honour went to Latiefa Agard. But it’s not just about poetry, the event also features original musicians who write and perform their own work, making each Poetry Slam a celebration of homegrown creativity.
For the organizers, Poetry Slam is about building a supportive community. “Too often, Guyanese performers don’t support each other,” Kazim noted. “We want to change that. This event is about mentorship, collaboration, and respect. We’re not creating competition; we’re creating community.”
The response has already attracted sponsors moved by the first show’s impact, with some attendees coming forward to support future events.
Kazim said the long term vision is to make poetry exciting again and help talented poets become marketable, and create consistent opportunities for Guyanese artists.
The second Poetry Slam takes place this Sunday, October 26th at 7:00 PM at Searoc Sky Lounge, located on Lamaha and Albert Street. Tickets are priced at $3,500, and given the response to the first event, showing up early is highly recommended.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact (592) 711-6516 or (592) 638-6734.