Are you ready for the next songSLAM?

Building on the success of the last four years’ added virtual component, we will incorporate both recorded and live elements into the 2024 NYC songSLAM. For this hybrid format, all teams had their entry professionally recorded on November 20-21, 2023, AND all teams will perform in the live songSLAM event on January 19, 2024, at 7:30 pm. The recording took place at the Blue Building in NYC and the live performance will take place at National Sawdust.

On January 19th, each team will premiere a song of no more than 5 minutes for voice and piano, in any language, for the LIVE voting audience, who—in the poetry slam tradition—will then vote on their favorite and award $2,000 in prize money as follows: 

$1,000 for first place

$600 for second place

$400 for third place

VIRTUAL COMPONENT

The virtual component of the NYC songSLAM - a 50/50 fundraiser - will also open January 19th at 10pm EST and will remain open through January 29th, 5.00pm EST.  As in the last three years, there will be a "text-to-donate" function on the Sparks & Wiry Cries website via Give Lively for as little as $1. Each team will have a unique text code linked to their account. The funds that each team raises during the virtual event will be split 50/50 with the respective team members and Sparks & Wiry Cries, who will use their portion to reinvest into larger commissions, future competitions, and new art song initiatives. On January 29th, we will announce total funds raised, along with our prize winner for the 2024 songSLAM commission prize, on our website and social media platforms. 

NATIONAL SAWDUST EVENT

Since the inaugural songSLAM of 2016 in NYC, our audiences are typically sold out and/or standing room only.  Our 2024 NYC songSLAM event is produced in partnership with National Sawdust.

Every year Sparks & Wiry Cries awards a songSLAM commission prize, which includes a world premiere performance, to one of the composers from the previous NYC songSLAM. This year’s commission, Anger in Open Mouths: Three Sweet Songs by composer Laura Nevitt and poet Viviana Gill, will be performed by mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski and pianist Erika Switzer.