The poets have arrived! For the second year in a row, the National Poetry Slam will be held in our highly literate, most-educated city. This five-day competition showcases slam poets from around the U.S. and comes to a head in a fierce battle for team and individual top nods, held at the Paramount Theatre on August 10 and 11. Last year's finals sold out, so consider getting your tickets early!

Opening ceremonies are this afternoon at 2pm at Antone's, with a scheduled appearance by longtime slam fan and supporter Mayor Will Wynn, as well as a world record attempt for most authors' books signed at a single event.

Tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday see an amazing 30 team bouts at Ego's, The Hideout, Antone's, Dominican Joe, and Ruta Maya. Once again this year, Austin has two teams—Austin-NeoSoul and Austin-Ego's. NeoSoul's first bout is tonight at Antone's at 7pm, and Ego's is at Dominican Joe, also at 7pm. For the rundown of the when and where of all 30 bouts, check the entire prelim schedule. Tickets for all prelim bouts are just $5 at the door.

There's a boatload of daily programming, from morning and afternoon events such as yoga, workshops (youth writing, stage combat), and specialty slams (Nerd, Queer, 5th Wheel) to some wacky late night programming that includes such gems as the Return of the JediMaster's Slam, and Karaoke with Shappy (always a fave). Kicking off our daily recommendation of NPS events you won't want to miss, we're going to take a wild guess that tonight's Erotic Reading, 11pm at Ruta Maya, will be scorching.

Get yerself all done up in your best sneakers and rattiest Moleskine and head on out for some poetry, while it's hot! And stay tuned for our daily picks and tips.

NPS 2007
Today thru Saturday
[National Poetry Slam Official Site]
[tickets]