Local celebrity: Erin Livingston

(Credit: Frank Espich / Metromix)

Claim to fame: Writer with an alluring alter ego; slam-master, Indianapolis Poetry Slam Nov. 11 at the Elbow Room.

In 15 words or fewer, I want the world to know ... It’s 2:30 a.m. and my neighbors are having loud sex, again.

Poetry slams have been around for almost 25 years. Why do people still care about them?
Poetry slams matter because they are fun! What more do you need? Slam is an interactive, fast-paced and visceral art form born of the idea that everyone has a valuable opinion on art. There is nothing more pure than baring your soul for three minutes and getting instant feedback from a room full of strangers and peers.

What are your five favorite words in the English language?
1) Why. 2) *Not suitable for print. 3) *Not suitable for print. 4) Snapdragon. 5. Ripe (as a description of how someone smells).

If you were mayor of Indianapolis, what one thing would you change about the city?
Covered bus stops. A metal pole in a grassy drainage ditch down the slope of a five-lane road does not constitute a bus stop. Especially not in the winter.

If you could have a one-night stand with any poet, past or present, who would it be? Or if not a one-night stand, at least dinner?
Robbie Q. Telfer. But only in a Gelfling mind-meld sort of way. Look up his Wiki page and you’ll know why, but remember, I got dibs, you animals!

What is your greatest ambition in life?
To live in such a way that does the most amount of good and the least amount of harm to the world around me. Man, serious much? Alternate answer: I want to perform in Hawaii!

You’ve been part of the poetry slam scene in different cities. How does Indy’s compare?
Listen, even Vermillion, S.D., maintains a regular monthly slam. I happen to come here from Austin, Texas — home to a thriving youth slam and a local scene that supports two well-attended weekly adult slams that rank in the top 10 nationally on a regular basis. I clearly have my own ideas about the kind of slam environment I want to grow, but I am not the first person to bring slam to Indy. Jason Ammerman hosted a slam for three years at the Melody Inn. Saint Peace is putting one together at the Earth House. There is definitely a need for energized poetry venues in town. It’s just a matter of finding the right niche.

Indianapolis: Love it or leave it?
Love it. My rent is cheap. My friends are fantastic. Close to family. Close to Chicago — I’m all about the Megabus. I’m also all about our drag queens! Austin may have the public transit down, but Indy knows good drag.

Going?
The Indianapolis Poetry Slam, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Elbow Room, 605 N. Pennsylvania St., is free to watch, or $5 to compete. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. The winner takes home $50. The event also includes a feature performance by Jon Sands of New York City. Info: indypoetryslam.com.