One of our most treasured local monuments is the Daniel Johnston "Hi, How Are You?" mural on the Sound Exchange wall (corner of 21st and Guadalupe). This is our chance to say that very phrase, and check you in, and make sure you have any last-minute information we might have for you. It is therefore necessary you be there. Electric Lounge. 302 Bowie. Wednesday, 1 p.m.
To make sure everyone's involved in the entertainment, we're bringing back introductory pieces, with some modifications from previous years. Introductory pieces are your chance to introduce yourselves to the entire gathering. Some are serious; most are crazy with a K.
Teams: Each team has one minute and ten seconds to perform an introductory poem of your own construction, although quoting from Suzanne Somers' poetry (which the '95 San Francisco team did ) was a genius move that deserves praise to this day. At one minute, a bell will be rung. At one minute and ten seconds, if you are still performing, bad things will happen. That's all we're saying.
Individual competitors: You have no time limit, but you must do it in seventeen syllables. That's right - introductory haiku. If you perform something that seems considerably longer than a haiku, bad things will happen. That's all we're saying.
Registration tables will be organized by venue location for your Wednesday night bout. Find that table, and you'll find your poet passes and bags. Your finals ticket will be in your bag. Hold on to it. Guard it. Don't lose it. You'll also find your Poet's Guide To Austin in the bag, which will give you useful information, like how to get to Tamale House, at what time you can legally smoke in a cafe or restaurant in Austin, and whether or not it is legal for women to go topless in the Capital of Texas. We advise you to read through it at your first opportunity, and see the lovely ads from the cool businesses which have contributed to the 1998 National Poetry Slam cause.