MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The World of Women Poetry Slam is bringing its annual championship tournament to Minneapolis for the first time.

The fifth annual event will be held in downtown Minneapolis March 6-9. Eighty competitors will face off for the first three nights, with the top 12 advancing to the final round.

The World of Women Poetry Slam is billed as the largest gathering of women slam poets. Women from as far away as New Zealand will compete against Twin Cities spoken word artists in the all-women individual competition.

The festival also will feature workshops, open mics and side competitions at various venues.

Slam poetry is a competitive, spoken word performance poetry that emphasizes both writing and performance. Audience members are encouraged to cheer or boo loudly.

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