Get Slammed

I'm not really a fan of being read to, unless it's by Sarah Vowell or someone similarly brain-sexy. The visual learner in me just can't deal with it, which is why I run for the hills when I see my family members moving toward me with e-mail printouts. But if you're the type of person who enjoys a good book on tape, there's no reason why you shouldn't enjoy the sounds of poetry as well. This Sunday at 7 p.m., Pugsley's Library (2443 Walnut Hill Lane) hosts the Dallas Invitational Poetry Slam, a warm-up of sorts for Austin's National Poetry Slam (go figure), with contestants hailing from coasts left and right and everywhere in between. Tickets are $7 to $10. Call 972-243-1111 or visit outlawpoets.com.
Sun., Aug. 6, 7 p.m.