Take Poetry Slams At Public Square

Former Cleveland mayor and free speech advocate Tom L. Johnson would be proud that Public Square is hosting top local poets for lunchtime and evening poetry slams. “It’s all about bringing the spoken word to the public and touching the hearts of people,” says Daniel Gray-Kontar, administrator of Twelve Literary and Performance Arts Incubator and a member of the city’s 1994 National Poetry Slam championship team. “It’s a way to demystify poetry and inspire folks to make it a part of their lives.” Randomly chosen audience members will judge rounds in June and July as part of a summerlong Arts & Culture in the Square program. 50 Public Square, Cleveland, 216-503-8209, clevelandpublicsquare.com