History of Soap Boxing

The Soap Boxing Slam began with a vision.

*   To extend the reach of spoken word and Slam throughout the Twin cities and Minnesota.

*   To cultivate and encourage new undeveloped and/or undiscovered talent, in poets both young and old.

*   To bring together and re-forge bonds between the numerous literary and spoken word groups and organizations that had drifted apart over the years, or found themselves at odds.

The Soap Boxing Slam began after Matthew Rucker received the S.A.S.E Verve Grant in 2004, the only spoken word grant in the country. The sole purpose for applying for the grant was to begin the best Slam in the Midwest. We are on our way, and hitherto – all 3 of Soap Boxing’s original goals have been well met.

It took 2 years to find the right venue for the Slam. Matthew originally sought venues in Minneapolis, but ended up finding the perfect venue right under his nose. He had been hosting an open mic at the Artists’ Quarter in St. Paul for 3 years. When the owners of the classic jazz club found out Matthew was looking for a venue, they asked him to consider using one of the open mic nights for a monthly Slam. After several weeks of surveys from local poets and open mic patrons, he decided that the Artists’ Quarter and St. Paul would be the perfect place for a Slam, and took their offer. The Slam has since been very successful, and the AQ continues to support the Slam in any and every way they can.

Soap Boxing held its first Slam on Monday March 6, 2006, to a crowd of 77 smiling patrons, 10 competing poets, and Rachel McKibbens as our first feature.

The Soap Boxing Slam happens every first Monday – 8 pm – $5 cover

at the Artists’ Quarter – 408 St. Peter Street in St. Paul, MN.

Soap Boxing is still growing stronger in talent and audience with every Slam.