SEEKING THE NEXT ALLEN GINSBERG

Did you miss out on the beatnik poets of the ’50s? Their spirit lives on in “poetry slams,” popular competitive recitations by local poets. It’s nothing like your kid reading “Leaves of Grass” for the PTA. Often dramatic, poetry slams present writers reading original poems in under three minutes, scored by five judges. Check it out tomorrow (Wednesday, March 23) at Java Joe’s CoffeeHouse on Fourth Street. Up to 13 poets can sign up at 6:30 p.m. The slamming starts at 7.