Grand slam: second venue cements New Hope's reputation as poetry haven

By Charlie Sahner

Come Monday night, they'll be slamming 'em down at Marcella's Restaurant and Bar in New Hope.

Poems, that is.

Marcella's will be holding its first poetry "slam," or competition between performers of the spoken word.

Organized by Bill Winkler, the event will complement the well established monthly Beat Night held at the New Hope Arts Center.

"The spoken word is alive and well in New Hope," said Bob Jamison, poet, writer and frequent MC at Beat Night, who will be attending Monday's event.

Robert Salup, renowned poet who has hosted slams and readings in New Jersey and Pennsylvania (including a prior slam series at Karla's Restaurant in New Hope) will also be attending -- and hopefully reading -- at Monday's venue.

"Poetry contains as much energy as a Hollywood movie," observed Salup.  "All it needs is poets to make it come alive."

Marcella's is located at 7 E. Ferry St. (right off S. Main St.); 215-862-1700.  The menu recently morphed from Northern Italian to truly eclectic and looks interesting.

But the slamming begins at 9 p.m.   Don't be a square cat.