Foolscap Books is hosting a songwriting slam tonight at 9 p.m. in what is intended to be a showcase for unknown artists.
Similar to the popular Eugene Poetry Slam, which is also hosted at the bookstore, the event will invite local songwriters to perform their material and be evaluated by a panel of judges composed of established local musicians.
The event, like any competition, has a few restrictions regarding what the songwriters are permitted to perform. Material must be original and must not be previously published in any form. The only accompaniment allowed is an acoustic instrument played by the performer (there will be a piano available). Each performer must be ready with three songs and will perform one song per five-minute round. Due to time considerations, only 12 songwriters will be allowed. If more than twelve people sign up, there will be a drawing to decided who performs.
Winners will receive prizes, the most lucrative being free recording time at Sprout City Recording Studios, located at 1145-1/2 Chambers St. There will be a variety of gift certificates available as well.

The current list of judges for the event includes a few mainstays of the Eugene music scene. Dori Prange and Tina Sarno of the rock group The Ovulators, Kelly Stats of the band Scrambled Eggs, John Shipe of John Shipe & The Scapegoats, and Dan Jones are all set to be on the panel. Each judge is bringing his or her own way of looking at music to the role.
“I’m looking for honest emotion,” Jones said. “I’m not looking for a polished performance, I don’t even care if people are good at their instrument. I just want to see honesty.”
If popular, the songwriting slam might become a regular event for Foolscap, akin to the monthly poetry slams. Foolscap owner Marietta Bonaventure said it would only be one of many upcoming changes for the bookstore.
“Our lease on this space runs out in May,” Bonaventure said. “I’m looking to move into a warehouse space with more room for performances. I want to focus more of my time on community events.”
Bonaventure added that the bookstore will begin dealing mostly through online sales rather than through a storefront. But many of the plans for the bookstore’s future, such as the location of the new space, will not be definite for several months.
For now, Bonaventure plans to focus on running the store and bringing such events to the community as a small concert on Saturday featuring The Ovulators and Dan Jones, giving a couple of the slam’s judges a chance to show their own songwriting skills.
Until then, the judges are deciding how to evaluate the contestants.
“I’m not a fan of the World Wrestling Federation attitude in art,” Jones said. “I don’t want to ‘slam’ anyone. I want beginners to be able come out without being traumatized. Creative humans can be bruised easily.”
The judges have high hopes for the performers and the Eugene music scene in general.

“I like the music scene here,” Stats said. “It’s nice to see people show up at the performances I’ve been a part of.”
Jones agreed.
“I think there are a lot of great bands and performers in Eugene,” he said. “Sometimes, there are more great bands than there are people to see them. Which I guess is a better problem than having it the other way around.”
Foolscap Books is located at 780 Blair Blvd. Sign-ups for the songwriting slam will take place from 8-9 p.m., with performances beginning at 9 p.m.. Ticket prices range from $3-$5 and will be available at the door. The performance featuring The Ovulators and Dan Jones will begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday and will have the same ticket prices.