About the CV Slam FEst

The Chula Vista (CV) Slam Fest is a 1 DAY live poetry slam festival rooted in spoken word, connection and community. Hosted by Sunny & Anthony Azzarito of Poets Underground, at the Memorial Bowl Amphitheater in Chula Vista, California on April 25th, 2026.

Thanks to the city of Chula Vista’s Performing & Visual Arts grant, this event brings together poets from across the region and country for a high energy celebration of spoken word, storytelling and artistic courage. There will also be youth poetry performances and highlights of the partnership work done by the students of High Tech High Chula Vista campus and Poets Underground.

This is more than a competition y’all.

The CV Slam Fest is all about bringing the people together and having a good time with fellow writers, performers and creatives who believe that poetry truly does heal and just love having a good time. 

Our main event of the evening is of course, the slam. Poets selected to compete will take the stage in a 3-round standard poetry slam, with standard slam rules to apply and only allowing 12 competing slots. Poems have to be 3 minutes long with a 10 second grace period and poems will be judged from 1-10, highest being a 10. The top poet of the night will take home the fresh $1,000 first place prize along with the title of the first ever, CV FEST 2026 CHAMPION.

But wait! It gets better, Poets Underground brought in an VIP Guest Performer to kick the fest off right and it's none other than, one of the dopest MC's to ever rock the mic, ELIGH of the iconic hip hop group, Living Legends.

That's right, we're making this day LEGENDARY. 

Beyond the competition, the festival is designed to feel like a true community building event. Expect powerful performances, special guest features, community partners/vendors, music, food and an atmosphere that welcomes poetry lovers of all levels and all art enthusiasts alike. This is the who's who of poetry slam events, so you don't want to miss out!

Whether you are competing, supporting a poet or experiencing slam poetry live for the first time, The CV Slam Fest offers an unforgettable day of art, expression and dope vibes.

The CV Slam Fest 2026 is about reppin' your city and what you believe in. What you say matters and who you are is enough. As always, Poets Underground is a movement. Come see where we'll end up!