CV Slam Fest ‘26

Poets Underground Presents CV Slam Fest ’26: A Powerful Fusion of Poetry, Hip-Hop, and Community in Chula Vista

CHULA VISTA, CA — April 25, 2026 | 12 p.m. | Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater

Poets Underground will present CV Slam Fest ’26, a dynamic, free, all-ages cultural event uniting spoken word, hip-hop, youth expression, and community storytelling. Taking place at the Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater, the festival highlights the region’s creative voice through a multigenerational lineup of performers, educators, and artists.

Headlining the event are renowned hip-hop artists Eligh and Scarub of the influential collective Living Legends. The duo will open the festival with a live performance, setting the tone for a full day of competition and artistic showcase.

Central to the event is a high-stakes poetry slam competition featuring 12 poets competing for a $1,000 cash prize. Participants represent three divisions—Rookies (first-time competitors), Veterans (previous slam champions), and CV Locals—ensuring a diverse range of voices and perspectives.

Competing Poets

Merrell • Soul Stuf • Lou • Deal Profits • Jozer G • Faith Marie Kearns • The Ramblr • Alex Nuno • Monarch the Poet • Demetri Manabat • Espi Love • Robbie Hammel

In addition to the competition, CV Slam Fest ’26 will showcase the impact of Poets Underground’s Poetry Heals Program, an initiative focused on youth development through creative expression. The 9th grade class of High Tech High Chula Vista will perform selected works from their published student anthology, developed through a 10-week curriculum centered on emotional processing, storytelling, and community engagement.

The program will also include a multidisciplinary performance by a student from Maraya Performing Arts Studio, highlighting the integration of poetry with theater and dance as a form of expressive storytelling.

Further expanding the event’s artistic scope, Poets Underground co-owner Anthony Azzarito will debut a track from an upcoming collaborative spoken-word EP with Eligh, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s continued evolution in cross-genre performance.

Event Highlights

• Live opening performance by Eligh & Scarub

• $1,000 Poetry Slam Competition

• Youth performances from Poetry Heals Program participants

• Multidisciplinary theater and dance showcase

• Food vendors and local merchants

• Free admission for all attendees

CV Slam Fest ’26 serves as both a cultural gathering and a platform for authentic storytelling—demonstrating the power of poetry as a tool for connection, expression, and community building.

Event Details

Date: April 25, 2026

Time: 12 p.m.

Location: Memorial Park Bowl Amphitheater, Chula Vista, CA

Admission: Free

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Media Contact

Poets Underground

Poetsundergroundsubmissions@gmail.com

PoetsUndergroundPress.com

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About Poets Underground

Poets Underground is a San Diego based arts organization dedicated to amplifying voices through poetry, performance, and education. Owned and operated by married creative partners Sunny Rey Azzarito and Anthony Azzarito, the organization leads community-centered initiatives such as Poetry Heals, providing youth and community members with tools for creative expression, emotional development, and public storytelling. Its events and workshops create accessible platforms for emerging and established artists to connect and perform.

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Funding Acknowledgment

This event is funded in part by the City of Chula Vista through the Performing and Visual Arts Grant (PVAG) program.

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