The First Citizens National poetry Slam
SemiFinals
Enter The Dragon's Mouth
34 poets have advanced to the semifinal rounds of the 2024 First Citizens National Poetry Slam, following intense in-person auditions in San Fernando, Port of Spain, and Tobago. Nearly 100 hopefuls delivered their verses before a distinguished judging panel. This year’s audition judges included Richard “Chromatics” Rajkumar, Patti-Anne Ali, Victor Edwards, Evelyn Caesar Munroe, and head judge Arielle M. John.
The poets will compete for the chance to perform at the Grand Slam finals on Sunday 28 April, as the First Citizens National Poetry Slam concludes the 2024 NGC Bocas Lit Fest. The winner’s row takes home a total of $80,000 courtesy First Citizens, with first, second, and third places receiving $50,000, $20,000, and $10,000 respectively. Reigning Slam Champion Kyle Hernandez, who automatically advances to the Final, will face off against 14 qualifying poets from the semifinal round.
Semifinalists
Semifinal 1 | Saturday 23 March 2024
- Abibi-Africa Williams
- Alexandra Stewart
- Annette Taylor
- Dershawn Hernandez
- Earth Lezama
- Markus Wylie
- Master-Akeem Phillip
- Ronaldo Mohammed
- Shakir Gray
- Shakira Burton
- Shimiah Lewis
- Soleil La Barrie
- Stephanie Smith
- Swasthi Maharaj
- Tevin Douglas
Wildcard Performers
- Gabrielle Abdool
- Hakeem Dublin
Semifinal 2 | Sunday 24 March 2024
- Abdul Majeed Abdal Karim
- Alicia Haynes
- Celestial Marshal
- Daniel Baptiste
- Darion Cunningham
- Dennis Joseph
- Derron Sandy
- Gabrielle Murray
- Joel Philip
- Kedisha Thomas
- Keeron Isaac
- Kevin Soyer
- Kevin Fortune
- Michael Logie
- Seth Sylvester
Wildcard Performers
- Nia Thompson
- Renaldo Briggs
Tickets:
The semifinals will take place in two rounds on 23 and 24 March at the Central Bank Auditorium in Port of Spain. Tickets are priced at $100 and can be purchased on islandetickets.com Or click on the buttons below.
Physical tickets also available at Xtra Foods locations
- Aranguez
- Arima
- Grand Bazaar
- Price Plaza
- Sangre Grande
Physical tickets also available at the Paper Based Bookshop:
The Writers Centre
14 Alcazar Street,
St. Clair,
Port of Spain.
Cash Only
Audition Judges:
For more information, call the Slam Hotline at 375-2155 or email [email protected]
HISTORY