05

After arriving in Washington and working through last-minute rehearsals, 45 teams head to the Atlas Theater for the National Slam Poetry quarterfinals. Among the teams competing in the two-bout elimination to determine the 10 semifinal spots: San Francisco, with Ericka ready to unveil her controversial poem about eating; Philadelphia, digging deep with an inspiring poem by Noel; Hawaii, proudly bringing it with poets like Jamaica; New York, highlighted by a performance by a crutch-less Britney; Ft. Lauderdale, seeking redemption after a false start on Mirror, Mirror; and Ann Arbor, trying to rally to overcome performances they feel are underscored.