Busboys and Poets’ “10 Tongues Multi-Lingual Poetry Slam” at Artomatic

Ten aspiring slam poets competed in a two-round multi-lingual poetry slam on June 22 hosted by Sonya Renee, a national poetry slam champion and director of poetry events at Busboys and Poets. Local teacher Clint Smith took home the $200 grand prize in the winner-take-all contest, which was sponsored by Busboys and Poets. Poets were required to incorporate a line in at least one of their poems that was in a language other than English.

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Flyers for Busboys and Poets' "10 Tongues Multi-Lingual Poetry Slam" at Artomatic.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

National Slam Champion and Busboys and Poets' director of poetry events, Sonya Renee, served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the "10 Tongues Multi-Lingual Poetry Slam."

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Busboys and Poets' curator-in-residence, Simone Jacobson, opens up the evening with a poem for Jean-Michel Basquiat's father in Haitian Creole and English.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

The host of the 11th Hour Poetry Slam at Busboys and Poets, 2Deep, questions why African American history is only taught once a year in schools.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

DC slam champion and Busboys and Poets open mic host, Pages Matam, left, performs in French and English.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Slangston Hughes mixes Arabic and English in his poem during the contest's first round.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Chris August, left, performs a provocative spoken word piece, "When I Marry Jesus", in Latin and English.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Tanne Stephens, left, competed in the contest with a poem in German and English.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Big Homie, left, leaves it all on the stage in round one of the slam.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Host of Busboys and Poets' Monday Night Open Mic Poetry in Shirlington, VA, Rebecca Dupas, left, made it to the contest's second round.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

The top five scores advanced to round two.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Sonya Renee, left, preps the slam poets for round two.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Rebecca Dupas, left, competes in English and American Sign Language in round two.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

The judges give their scores to see who will be crowned champion.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Clint Smith, a local teacher and slam poet, beats North Carolina transplant, G Yamazawa in a close third round.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

First runner up, G Yamazawa, spits a poem in Japanese and English about growing up Asian American in North Carolina with his parents and grandmother.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Clint Smith, left, a local teacher and performance poet, was crowned champion of Busboys and Poets' "10 Tongues Multi-Lingual Poetry Slam" and won the $200 grand prize.

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

Busboys and Poets' Director of Poetry Events, Sonya Renee, left, and Owner, Andy Shallal, pose for the camera at Busboys and Poets' "10 Tongues Multi-Lingual Poetry Slam".

Michael Chan / For Busboys & Poets

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