To all Bay dreamers of day and night, ink on your fingers and papercut hearts, give voice to words profane and profound: smash down the doors to the world around – the microphone is calling you.

Local poets will make their voices heard when the inaugural Bay of Plenty Regional Poetry Slam takes place at Worlds End Bar and Restaurant in Fraser Cove on Saturday, October 17.

This isn't your typical poetry recital, so to the four winds scatter any notions of monotone voices, tweed jackets with elbow patches, beret-wearing people clicking their fingers in applause.

'A slam is not a straight sit-down affair, the power lies in the animation of words, the pacing, the message,” says co-organiser Dhaivat Mehta. 'It condenses the energy making it more of an entertaining experience, like theatre or listening to a freestyle rap.”

'Slams have also reached popularity recently because many poems explore social, political, and at times very personal topics which people can relate to and have opinions about.”

There will be two sections – a Youth Slam for poets under 18, and the Adult Slam who's winner will go on to represent the regional at the National Poetry Slam Final in Hamilton later this year.

All poets are asked to prepare two poems, no longer than three minutes in length, and can delve into any subject matter – imagination is the only limitation.

Each poem will be scored out of 10 by five judges who will be selected at random from the audience on the day.

'If you have something you to say and feel you can't express it in any other way, the Poetry Slam is for you. And in general, I feel the realm of poetry is the best way to get your message out there.”

The inaugural Bay of Plenty Regional Poetry Slam is on at Worlds End Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, October 17, from 3pm to 5pm.

To register email organisers Dhaivat Mehta at: dhaivatmehta7@gmail.com or Sian Northfield at: sianshine@gmail.com by Sunday, October 10.

For more information visit Facebook and search: ‘New Zealand Poetry Slam BOP Heat'.