Published on April 1, 2026
Amplify's First Slam Poetry Competition Snapping Youth Poets Up!
In the world of slam poetry, you’ll often hear the following refrain: the point is not the points, the point is the poetry. These words of wisdom are something Amplify, the City of St. Albert’s youth arts development program, is taking to heart as they plan their first poetry slam competition—the cleverly named, SLAMplify.
“Celebrating the work of young artists is our first priority,” explains Kathleen Bell, a Community Cultural Coordinator with the City of St. Albert and Amplify’s City liaison. “While slam poetry events are technically a competition, we want to make SLAMplify as fun and friendly as possible. We want to uplift and inspire with all our programming.”
SLAMplify will be organized by the Amplify Committee, the advisory group of youth volunteers working behind the scenes to plan, promote and execute all of Amplify’s events. While the committee has hosted poetry open mics for years, it wasn’t until St. Albert’s STARK poets—a writing and reciting club for local students—requested the competition format that the Amplify Committee considered taking on the challenge of hosting a slam.
“Slams certainly raise the stakes,” says Bell. “There are judges, there are rules and there are prizes. Which means the prep work poets put in to preparing for a slam and the poetry that’s performed is elevated. Which is exciting—it's always nice to see an art form at its best.”
The judges this year include former Edmonton Poet Laureate, Titilope Sonuga, who will also be performing a headlining set as the Committee calculates the winners.
“But just because it’s a judged event, doesn’t mean it is a serious event,” explains Bell. “Something audiences need to know about slam culture is that the audience is encouraged to make their opinions known as well. If they like what they are hearing, the audience is encouraged to snap their fingers and if they don’t like the judge’s scores, you are allowed to ‘boo’ the results.”
Those audiences can enjoy Amplify’s first slam on April 16 at the Art Gallery of St. Albert. The event is free, but organizers are asking you to reserve your seat, due to limited space. Thanks to St. Albert’s STARK poets and the St. Albert Cosmopolitan Club, poets will be vying for cash prizes in the three categories: junior high, high school and ages 18 to 21.
“Putting the competition aside, above all else, an event like this is a chance for our community to hear the stories of our young residents—to acknowledge their struggles, to share their joys and to amplify their voices,” says Bell.
SLAMplify will be hosted at the Art Gallery of St. Albert on April 16, 2026. Doors at 5:45 p.m., show at 6 p.m.
For more information and to secure a free ticket, visit amplifystalbert.ca.
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Last edited: April 1, 2026