This year’s panel discussion was focused on the history, present state, and future of spoken word in Chicago. Panelists include Poetry Slam founder Marc Smith, who continues to host the longest-running poetry slam in the country; Tina Howell, former spoken word organizer at Lit X, a now-closed Wicker Park poetry venue; Billy Tuggle, spoken word artist and hip-hop historian; Lucy Anderton, spoken word artist; and David Stovall, UIC professor of literature, who acted as moderator. Panelists answer questions about the history of spoken word in Chicago and how they see its evolution continuing with a new generation of spoken word artists.

Recorded Saturday, February 25, 2006 at Hot House.