What you need for a poetry slam
A poetry slam needs more than microphones and a stage. You also need clear scorecards, working pens, water for performers, tableware for refreshments and enough printed programs for visitors. Use this shopping list alongside your event plan, then check quantities against your expected audience and number of poets. Buy drinks and chilled items no later than the day before, and test every cable, microphone and power strip before doors open.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Chairsqty 90
- Tablesqty 12
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Speaker table
- Judges' table
Equipment
- Active speakersqty 2
- Microphonesqty 3
- Microphone standsqty 3
- Mixer
- Audio cablesqty 6
- Extension cordsqty 6
- Power stripsqty 4
- Laptop
- Timerqty 2
Lighting
- LED panelsqty 4
- Mood lightingqty 2
Tableware
- Glassesqty 100
- Coffee cupsqty 50
- Platesqty 100
- Cutlery setsqty 100
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Water jugsqty 6
Decorations
- Stage curtain
- Event banner
- Table décorqty 8
- Name badgesqty 20
Office
- Program flyersqty 100
- Scorecardsqty 150
- Jury formsqty 30
- Pen setsqty 20
- Clipboardsqty 8
- Tapeqty 4
- Writing paperqty 2
Catering
- Serving traysqty 6
- Coolersqty 4
- Drink dispensersqty 2
- Groceries
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Mints - 1 box
- Semi-skimmed milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Sparkling mineral water - 12 bottles
- Still mineral water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Beer - 48 cans
- Alcohol-free lager - 24 cans
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 3 jars
- Salted peanuts - 3 bags
- Olives - 3 jars
- Cucumber - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Carrots - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 3 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 12 pieces
- Whole grain crackers - 6 packs
- Mini muffins - 100 pieces
- Butter cookies - 6 packs
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Stirrers - 150 pieces
- Sugar sachets - 150 pieces
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
Kitchen
- Corkscrewqty 2
Tips
- Prepare at least one scorecard and one jury form per round, plus 10% extra in case a sheet is damaged or a poet is added. Put two working pens at the judges’ table and keep another pen set at registration.
- Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill bottled or canned drinks several hours before the event rather than waiting until setup.
- Allow one glass per guest for drinks and keep a separate supply of coffee cups. For a poetry slam with 50 visitors, start with at least 60 glasses and 60 coffee cups so replacements are available.
- Bring one microphone for the host and each active performance position, plus at least one spare microphone if your equipment provider has one. Pack audio cables, extension cords and power strips before pickup, because missing connections can delay the sound check.
- Print 10% more programs, name badges and registration materials than your confirmed visitor count. Pack the event banner, stage curtain and table décor together so the room can be finished before the microphone test.
Frequently asked questions
- How many drinks do I need for a poetry slam?
- For the first hour, plan on two to three drinks per guest. Add one drink per person for every extra hour, and buy roughly 10% extra for performers, jury members and replacements.
- How many scorecards should I print for a poetry slam?
- Print one scorecard per judge for each scoring round, then add 10% spare copies. Also prepare at least one jury form per judge and keep extra forms at the judges’ table.
- What sound equipment do I need for a poetry slam?
- You need active speakers, microphones, microphone stands, a mixer, audio cables, extension cords and power strips. Reserve or collect the equipment at least one day before the event so you can test every microphone and connection before opening.
- How many programs and name badges should I buy?
- Prepare one program and one name badge for each confirmed visitor or participant, then add 10% extra. Print the final version after registrations close, ideally at least two days before the slam.
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