Calling all poets: your chance to expose your deepest, darkest secrets to a captive audience is here.

Boheme Bistro, 2900 West St., will host a “Bohemian Poetry Slam” Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The event will give poets from the ISU and Ames communities the opportunity to share their craft with an audience while competing against other area poets, says Laura Vasser, ‘Bohemian Poetry Slam’ coordinator.

The poetry slam will be the first in a series of poetry events in Ames, says Vasser, graduate student in English. Future events will be held on the first Tuesday of each month.

The evening’s featured artist is Minneapolis poet Shawn Hawley, member of the Minnesota National Poetry Slam team.

Jim Coppoc, graduate student in English, will read selected poems from his book, “Slam, Rants, Etc.”

Poets are encouraged to arrive at the venue at 6:30 p.m. to sign up for one of 12 open performance times.

The event is open to the public, and a suggested donation of $4 will be accepted at the door. Proceeds from the event will support future poetry events in Ames.

—Megan Hinds