Strawberry Jam Poetry Slam
Join us at on Tuesday, July 14th at 5:30pm to kick off Festival with a celebration of poetry, music, and art at the Vashon Wine Shop!
Live Music - 5:30pm
Poetry Slam - 6:30pm
Featured Poet - 7:30pm
Featured Artists
~ Dario Cvencek ~ Immigrant poet from the Balkans and research scientist with a microscope to the inherently poetic subject of youth identity formation.~ Jon Andrew Franklin (aka Jon AF) ~ Violin-looping Seattle-based artist known for building songs live—layer by layer—using violin, voice, and rhythm.~ Christine Patterson ~ Vashon singer, songwriter, single mom, creative talent behind Night Owl Design Co., and filler of night skies with melodic fireflies.
Poetry Slam
- Three round competition -
Cash and Festival-related prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners!
Sign up via the "Buy Tickets" button below, or
Sign up in-person 5:30-6:15pm at venue before slam starts
Event Details
Date: July 14, 2026
Location: Vashon Wine Shop Patio
Time: 5:30pmLive music & competing poet sign-ups start at 5:30pm. Poets must register by 6:15pm.Competition will begin at 6:30pm.Please see Slam FAQ for more competition specific information.Tickets available on a sliding scale. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Tickets
Please choose whichever price tier works best for you. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Featured Artists
Dario Cvencek
Dario Cvencek is an immigrant poet from the Balkans and a research scientist at the University of Washington. By day he studies how children construct identity. By night—or by whatever hour the poem arrives—he writes about war, trauma, displacement, and the slow, stubborn work of rebuilding a self in a new language. His words have appeared in Rattle, Zone 3, Hobart, and numerous other independent literary magazines and presses. His debut full-length collection “PTSD Martini” was published by Carbonation Press in 2025, with his follow-up collection “Mirror Made of Words” being released in 2026. He started writing poetry as a teenager during the Bosnian War. He has not stopped.
Jon Andrew Franklin
Jon Andrew Franklin (aka Jon AF) is a violin-looping artist known for building songs live—layer by layer—using violin, voice, and rhythm. His performances blend storytelling with dynamic looping, inviting audiences into moments that feel both deeply personal and joyfully shared.Jon creates original music that lives somewhere between folk, pop, and cinematic soundscapes, shaped by years of performing for diverse audiences—from quiet living rooms to stadiums. His work centers on connection, presence, and the courage to be seen, often weaving narrative and humor into the music itself.
Christine Patterson
Christine Patterson is a single mom, musician, designer, and former hotel GM, turned owner of Night Owl Design Co. — "a tiny-but-mighty art studio fueled by late nights, real stories, and the belief that creativity can change everything."A sensationally soulful and creative human, Christine has spent a decade wearing a million different hats and has come round full loom to knit herself a cap full of community, love, and passionate artistic pursuits. Check out her music on instagram @delilah.pearl.
Prize Packages
Strawberry Festival Parade VIP Wine Shop Experience
Sleep in on Saturday morning and still have prime seating for the Strawberry Festival parade!• Reserved parade seating in front of Vashon Wine Shop
• Reserved table inside wine shop with parade bites and a bottle of wine
• Vashon Wine Shop gift card
Dinner & a Show
• Two vouchers for tickets to any show in the newly announced 2026/2027 season at VCA!
• Gift card for dinner at Lunetta’s - have a delicious bite to eat before the show!
Vashon Tourist for a Day
What more does a poet need than coffee, wine, ice cream, and a good show? Enjoy all of the above with the following prize package:• Gift cards to three local favorite coffee shops, the Creamery, and Vashon Wine Shop
• Two vouchers for tickets to any show in the newly announced 2026/2027 season at VCA!
Slam FAQ
How many poets can sign up?
> We take up to ten poets—no exceptions. Competing poets pay $5 to buy in. (Admission included)How many poems should I prepare?
> Each poet must be prepared to perform 3 poems.
> All poems must be your own original work.How does elimination work?
> First Round: The 3 lowest-scoring poets are eliminated.
>> Second Round: The 2 lowest-scoring poets are eliminated.
>>> Final Round: The top 3 poets compete for cash & festival prizes.How long can each poem be?
> Each poem should be 3 minutes long.
> You have a 10-second grace period. After that, we deduct points for every second you go over.When does the timer start?
> Your time begins as soon as you engage with the audience (e.g., introducing yourself or the poem, waving, talking, dancing).What time should I arrive?
> All poets must check in with the host by 6:15 PM, but we'll have great music starting at 5:30pm. Come early!How is the order of performances decided?
> First Round: Random draw.
> Second and Third Rounds: Based on scores, from highest to lowest.Who are the judges?
> Five randomly chosen audience members (or teams) serve as judges.
> The best judges are those who have never attended a poetry slam before.
> Poets should inform the hosts if they have a close relationship with any of the selected judges.How do the judges score the performances?
> Judges score each poem from 0.0 to 10.0, with 0 being the lowest and 10 being the highest score.How will scores work?
> Round 1: Top 7 scoring poets
>> Round 2: Highest 5 poets' cumulative (round 1 + 2) scores
>>> Round 3: Clean slate, highest top 3 scoring poetsHighest 7 scores from round one go to round two. Round one and two scores are added, highest scores move onto round three. Highest scores in round three are the winners.
Other questions?
Please contact the event organizer via email ([email protected]) or instagram (@poetreeisland)
Important Note on Freedom of Expression
While you have the freedom to say whatever you want during your performance, remember that this freedom does not come without consequences. Your words may evoke strong reactions—audience members may boo, or someone might wish to engage you in conversation about your poem's content afterward.Our goal is to create a space where all bodies are welcome, so please ensure that you’re mindful of the impact your words might have. We encourage all poets to check their egos at the door and contribute to a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone involved.