The Wild Women of Poetry Slam, formerly the Gypsy Poetry Slam, was founded by Bianca Spriggs in 2005 and draws spoken word artists locally and from around the country to compete for the $500 Faith A. Smith Poetry Prize, established by Frank X Walker in honor of his mother. The 2013 Wild Women of Poetry Slam featured international slam champion Sonya Renee Taylor of Oakland, CA as headliner and celebrity judge. Special guest Saul Williams also served as judge, along with two additional audience judges. Eris Dyson of Cleveland, OH claimed first prize, and Chauncey Beaty of Greenville, SC was runner-up. Also competing were Christina Howard, Kisha Nicole, Joy Priest, Haddie Rae, Christina Springer, and Madison West, with Phoenyx Fyre as the “sacrificial poet” and Sisters of the Sacred Drum opening the event with an inspired drumming performance. At Transylvania University, Carrick Theatre, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.

Photography by Dana Rogers