The First Citizens National Poetry Slam semifinals were held on March 23 and 24 at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain, offering a weekend to remember. The event showcased the immense talent and creativity within the spoken word community, with poets and hosts Dominique Roy and Thaddius “Thaddy Boom” Jardine sparking energetic banter from the audience.
Derron Sandy, the 2022 Slam Champion and 2023 finalist, delivered a passionate tribute to artiste Ian “Bunji Garlin” Alvarez, much to the delight of the audience. Alvarez himself acknowledged the homage after seeing it on the First Citizens National Poetry Slam social media stories.
Joel Philip, a past Slam finalist, crafted his performance around Aché Abrahams, the recently crowned Miss World Caribbean. Highlighting her accomplishments, he expressed his admiration for her, adding depth and emotion to his piece.
Newcomers brought a fresh perspective and raw emotion to the stage, captivating the audience with their authentic voices and bold performances. From heartfelt reflections on parenting and personal struggles with identity, to searing critiques of political systems and societal norms, the poets left no stone unturned. They bravely tackled taboo subjects such as sexuality and mental health, shedding light on experiences that are often overlooked or stigmatized.
The semifinal rounds served as a powerful demonstration of the power of Spoken Word as a medium for self-expression and social commentary. The poets’ words were not only thought-provoking but also deeply moving.
Fifteen poets have advanced to the Grand Slam stage, where they will compete for the coveted title of Grand Slam Champion. The judging panel, consisting of actor, musician, visual artist and teacher Nickolai Salcedo, calypsonian and educator Karene Asche, comedian and educator Kwame Weekes, author Patti-Anne Ali, and head judge Arielle M John, praised this year’s semifinalists for their range and depth of performances.
Nickolai Salcedo, a first-time judge, was impressed by the poets’ ability to express complex ideas, describing it as “very inspirational”. Patti-Anne Ali commended the courage of the poets in tackling impactful topics, noting the beauty and evolution of the performance industry.
The competition is heating up as returning champions and new talent vie for a spot in the Grand Slam. The semifinals set the stage for an intense showdown, reflecting the theme “Enter the Dragon’s Mouth”.
The Grand Slam, scheduled for April 28th at Queen’s Hall in St. Anns, will mark the conclusion of the 2024 NGC Bocas Lit Fest. Winners will share a prize pool of $80,000 courtesy of First Citizens, with $50,000 for first place, $20,000 for second place, and $10,000 for third place.
The finalists:
- Abdul Majeed Abdal Karim
- Alicia Haynes
- Alexandra Stewart
- Daniel Baptiste
- Darion Cunningham
- Derron Sandy
- Dershawn Hernandez
- Gabrielle Murray
- Kedisha Thomas
- Keeron Isaac
- Michael Logie
- Seth Sylvester
- Shakira Burton
- Renaldo Briggs
- Ronaldo Mohammed
Standby Poets:
- Kevin Soyer
- Soleil La Barrie
Reigning Champion: Kyle Hernandez
For First Citizens National Poetry Slam updates, follow @nationalpoetryslamtt on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok or call the Slam Hotline at 375-2155.