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BEN MELLOR WINS THE DIKE OMEJE SLAM POETRY AWARD 2008

The Superheroes Of Slam Final in March 2008 saw Ben Mellor sweep all before him with his flowing lyrics to become the North West's Superhero of Slam for a year. At a packed venue twelve Heat winners delivered verses ranging from the jocular to the manic to the deadly serious. Judges -chosen in the true spirit of Slams completely from among the audience - delivered a clear verdict: Ben Mellor should be crowned. He received his £200 prize money, the Dike Omeje trophy and a year long residency at Commonword. His acceptance speech was magnanimous and beautifully short! A write-up by journalist Nadia Gasper is below.


The next Slam Final is planned for 2009.

Commonword 0161 832 3777
www.commonword.org.uk

The North West’s Poetry Slam Hero Emerges:

Question: Can we really judge people on their poetry? Is that not the same as judging someone’s opinion or emotions? Clearly those at the ‘Superheroes of Slam 2008’ hosted by poet Julian Daniel, didn’t seem to think so, which in many ways was a blessing. This entertaining event allowed people to come together in the name of freedom, passion, laughter and reasonably priced alcohol under the shelter of the Frog and Bucket Comedy Store in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The competition was fierce; The room was dark; The spotlight was overwhelming; The nerves were overpowering; Yet somehow, modesty, humour, pun and epiphany still managed to shine through each poet who stood on stage.

The search throughout Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester, Cumbria, Lancaster and Alsager for ‘The One’ was becoming evermore difficult as the judges, chosen from audiences, continuously filtered contestants via the Heats.

After months of blood, sweat and tears, draining thought processes transferred to paper and delivered by the mouth, straight to our hearts, the poetry slam was finally drawing to a close.

Although each and every candidate deserved a prize for their courage alone, with close to maximum points, Ben Mellor was crowned the winner. His ‘S&M’ poem saw him to his victory of £200, the Dike Omeje Slam Trophy and a year’s residency at Commonword, the North West’s premier writing development agency

Ben accepted his victory with a humble thank you and strayed away from the typical, ‘Oscar Winning, salty streams of tears, thanking God, Mum, Dad and the fans’ speech, with a more enlightening poem written by the late, great Dike Omeje, who the slam was initially in remembrance of.

Overall, it was an interesting journey. One with highs and lows, tears and laughter, happiness and anger on both the performer’s and the audience side of course.

Cliché conclusion aside, many were left feeling amazed and inspired by all those who participated. And now that the journey has come to an end, one feels the question above has been answered. If poetry is open to competition and interpretation then yes, it is possible to judge. And if outstanding poets like Ben Mellor come away as the Heroes of the night, the judgements will always be accurate, and the prizes will always be well deserved.

I give this night a 7 out of 10.

Copyright Nadia Gasper 2008


The 2008 finalists were:-

From Liverpool
Sophie Mckeand & Obinna Ubah

From Barrow-In-Furness
Mark Mace Smith & Degsy Jones & Gary Bridgens

From Alsager
Steven Hall & Benson Bala & Chris Lewin

From Lancaster
Lisa B & James Knight

From Manchester
Ben Mellor & Zodwa Nyoni

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