If you think slam poetry is relegated to a small, East Coast subset of urban youth complaining about their ex-lovers, think again. For three days starting today, the West Coast is where it's at. The fifth annual inkSlam: L.A.'s Premier Poetry Festival will take place at the Greenway Court Theater, which has been home to legendary Tuesday-night event Da' Poetry Lounge for the last 15 years. Solo performers and slam teams will compete in a war of words to win the Indie Slam, the semi-finals and the championship bouts. Poetry workshops, led by seasoned veterans like Poetri Smith and Terisa Siagatonu, will be held daily and will cover topics like “Queer Voices,” “The Business of Poetry” and “Women and the Mic.” Get over your shyness and take advantage of what this talent has to offer. Or stay in the stands and get ink-splashed when the masters lay it down. Either way, this is about as exciting as the poetic word can get. Think less haiku, more “black 'n' fuckin' blue.” For the full schedule of workshops and competitions, go to inkslam.org. Greenway Court Theater, 544 N. Fairfax Ave.; Thurs., July 11-Sat., July 13, times of workshops and competitions vary. Ticket prices to competitions and workshops vary. (323) 655-7679, inkslam.org.

Thu., July 11, 1:30 p.m.; July 12-13, 10:30 a.m., 2013

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