4th Saturday Slam! hosted by Black Chakra

Congress Heights on the Rise to host competitive poetry event

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The 4th Saturday Slam provides an opportunity for poetry lovers to enjoy the competitive art of late-night performance poetry. Several rounds of competitive poetry by amateurs and professionals will be featured, with the audience choosing a winner. A $100 cash prize is up for grabs.

Why it matters

This event is part of the ongoing efforts by the Congress Heights on the Rise community organization to bring engaging arts and entertainment programming to the neighborhood, helping to cultivate the local creative scene.

The details

The 4th Saturday Slam will take place on February 28, 2026 at Busboys and Poets in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Tickets are $5 online or $8 at the door, with wristbands available for purchase. The event will be hosted by spoken word artist Black Chakra, who has won numerous poetry slam competitions.

  • The 4th Saturday Slam will take place on February 28, 2026.
  • Wristbands (tickets) will be available for purchase online at midnight and in the restaurant starting at 10:00 AM on the day of the event.

The players

Black Chakra

A spoken word artist, hip-hop artist, and author whose talents have been showcased on stages across America. He is a national poetry slam champion, Texas Grand Slam champion, and Southern Fried slam champion, and also teaches youth poetry for Dewmore Baltimore.

Congress Heights on the Rise

A community organization in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C. that works to bring engaging arts and entertainment programming to the local area.

Busboys and Poets

The venue hosting the 4th Saturday Slam event in the Congress Heights neighborhood.

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What’s next

Tickets for the 4th Saturday Slam can be purchased online at midnight or at the Busboys and Poets venue starting at 10:00 AM on the day of the event.

The takeaway

This event showcases the vibrant creative community in the Congress Heights neighborhood, providing a platform for both amateur and professional poets to compete and entertain poetry enthusiasts.