KMAC Poetry Slam
The next KMAC Poetry Event will be an OPEN MIC on
Saturday, August 23rd, from 5:30-7:30pm.
Please note that the August 2025 Open Mic is on the second-to-last Saturday of the month, not the last Saturday.
The KMAC Poetry Events for June, July, and August 2025 will be open mics, meaning there will be no competitive element. For those interested in participating, please arrive fifteen minutes early to register with the slam host, Lance Newman. Competitive Slams resume in September.
KMAC Poetry Slams are one of Louisville's premiere slam poetry events. Typically held on the last Saturday of the month (unless otherwise noted), the slam is a competition amongst local poets and juried by audience members. This event is made possible by the Lance Newman, a.k.a Mr. SpreadLove, and Young Poets of Louisville.
To stay up-to-date on KMAC Poetry Slams, check our events calendar or follow us on social media. For more information, please contact KMAC's Visitor Services Team at info@kmacmuseum.org or at 502.589.0102.
Note: There is no age requirement for the Slam. However, profanity is occasionally used and mature themes are often addressed.
.jpg)
Lance G. Newman II was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He is a writer, poet, host, actor, performing, visual and teaching artist. His experience is the culmination of a 16 year career performing around the country. As a playwright, he helped create plays such as the Smoketown Poetry Opera, The Westend Poetry Opera , and The Blood Always Returns. Under the name Mr. SpreadLove, he teaches his creative writing and public speaking curriculum in schools, community centers and service providing organizations. He hosts the largest and longest running poetry slam in Louisville, created the public art “LITS Project” on 4th Street, and has been featured in newspapers, commercials and the feature film Frathouse. Newman is better known by the moniker ‘Mr. SpreadLove,’ a local man of worldly talent.
In 2020, the Slam was modified into a virtual program consisting of individual video episodes, which can be accessed by clicking here. Each video showcases poets and features workshop segments with Lance Newman.