I have some bad news for the PAKZOO open mic and poetry slam supporters: poets, fans, and friends - we're shutting down our shows in all their forms.

Since Dan McCartney and I started PAKZOO back in 2003 (then called Shakespeare's Poetry Slam), a small number of local organizers have been working at maintaining poetry slam in Kalamazoo. We sent teams to the National Poetry Slam in 2007-2009, continuing an unbroken string of Kalamazoo poetry slam teams dating back to 1998. Unfortunately, 2010 will not see a poetry slam team from Kalamazoo at the National Poetry Slam unless another group can step in and get something going within the next month.

I regret this decision, but the show at the Hookah Lounge will not work. Verbal commitments were broken and I am way too busy to start a new show from scratch. While I will miss organizing in Kalamazoo, I will be happy to have more time to spend with my family and on my career. I may even have more time to actually write and perform poetry, something I was ironically unable to do with any efficiency while organizing.

PAKZOO will continue as a poets' collective. We will continue to do workshops and shows when the opportunities present themselves. I will also maintain this website, so I encourage you to keep writing and contributing.

I would also like to remind you that there are still great poetry shows in Kalamazoo, including the 1st Friday shows at Fire and the Saturday shows run by Kinetic Affect.

I you have any questions about this decision, feel free to contact me at tabannon@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Todd Bannon

Poet Anonymous, K'Zoo