NORWICH – Colorscape is looking for poets for the 8th Annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival Poetry Slam, which takes place at a new time this year at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Blarney Stone Pub at 26 South Broad Street in downtown Norwich.

The Poetry Slam kicks off at 7 p.m. with a free performance by former National Individual Slam Champion and former International Slam Champion Gayle Danley.

“I know people are going to be very impressed with Gayle, especially people who have never experienced performance poetry,” says Richard Bernstein, poet, teacher, and poetry slam organizer. “Gayle was once even featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes.”

Each year, the Colorscape Poetry Slam brings in outstanding, nationally-renown performance poets. And this year is no different.

Winning her first public speaking contest in 7th grade, Gayle Danley went on as an adult to win the National Slam Poetry Championship in 1994, and to be crowned the International Slam Poet Champion in Heidelberg, Germany in 1996.

She is the author of three books: “Naked,” “Soulfull – A Slam Poetry Study Guide,” and “Passionate – Poems You Can Feel.” Known for her riveting school performances that combine poetry, movement, and emotion with the exploration of contemporary issues, Gayle was named Young Audiences National Artist of the Year in 2006.