MICHIGAN CITY – Lubeznik Center for the Arts presents its annual Poetry Slam  Friday, April 5, as part of the Uptown Arts District’s First Fridays @ 5 series. The Poetry Slam invites regional poets to showcase their original work. The event begins at 5 p.m. and concludes at 8 p.m., with poetry beginning at 5:30 pm.

Chicago poet J.W. Baz, will host the Poetry Slam. Baz was a finalist in the 2007 Individual World Poetry Slam, finished twice in the Top Ten at the U.S. National Poetry Slam as a member of Team Chicago, and has appeared in hundreds of venues across the United States and Canada.

Participating poets should prepare three pieces, each recitation lasting three minutes or less. The poetry slam will be conducted tournament style with one recitation per advancing poet per round. Each poet may only present his or her own original work. Space for participants is limited to 13 poets. Poets interested in participating must register in advance to Janet Bloch at jbloch@lubeznikcenter.org or 219-874-4900. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 29.

Admission is free and attendees are encouraged to visit the opening reception for Outside the Classroom: Teacher as Artist, a new exhibition showcasing the works of the art teachers of the Michigan City Area Schools before or between rounds.