SLAM FREE OR DIE - performance poet JOHN 'SURVIVOR' BLAKE

MANCHESTER, NH – On Friday, January 22 the Bridge Café continues its popular open mic poetry series, Slam Free or Die, produced by Russian Roulette Productions. The night includes a poetry open mic session with 15 spots with sign-ups starting between 6:00 and 6:30pm, open mic beginning around some time after 7pm. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early – the nights have been drawing standing-room-only crowds. This night we will have an open mic and a feature by John 'Survivor' Blake.

About Survivor (John Stanley Blake)

John Stanley Blake was nicknamed "Survivor" by his therapist after their 1st session. "Survivor" now speaks out about addiction and struggle at universities and rehabilitation centers all over the United States, including Virginia Tech, Columbia, SUNY, Berkeley and the Virginia State Journalism Championship Awards Ceremony. He's also a well-known spoken word artist across the nation.

He's shared the stage with such fabulous artists as Patricia Smith, Tara Betts, Marty McConnell, Rachel McKibbens, Amiri Baraka, Roger Bonair-Agard, Saul Williams, Suheir Hamad, and Carlos Andres Gomez. He's performed on the finals stage at The National Poetry Slam in 2007 representing the Louder Arts (New York City) slam team.

Survivor is now the slam coach and one of four curators for SlamRichmond in Richmond, Virgina. He conducts weekly workshops every Saturday afternoon and hosts the venue as well. His book of memoirs (the first in a five-part series), 'Drifting From Fire', is soon to be published as well as his first book of poetry by "Smalls Books Press".

About Slam Poetry
Slam poetry is the competitive art of performance poetry, putting a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. Nearly every state in the U.S. has venues that host regular poetry slams – the Bridge Café is the only venue in NH that offers a slam. This year will only be the fourth time that NH has ever been represented in the 22 year history of the National Poetry Slam.

About Open Mic
Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is a series of open mic nights for poets and spoken-word artists with slam competitions being held once a month during slam season (September through April); sign-ups begin between 6 and 6:30pm. Come and enjoy the delicious food and coffee of the Bridge Cafe. There is a $3 cover charge.

Slam Free or Die @ The Bridge Café is produced by Russian Roulette Productions. For more information, contact e-mail bridgepoetry (at) gmail.com, call 603-858-3286 or visit www.facebook.com/slamfreeordie on the Web. The Bridge Café is located at the corner of Bridge and Elm at 1117 Elm Street, Manchester. For more information about the Bridge Café, call 603.647.9991