Alvin Lau is a Chicago native, writer of poetry and prose, and proud son of Chinese immigrants. An avid competitor in poetry slams, he is the highest ranking Asian-American slam poet of all time and has won more high stakes poetry slams than any other poet in the world. He is a two-time champion of Brave New Voices: the national youth poetry slam, a four-time regional slam champion, a four-time individual finalist in national competition, and Pushcart Nominee. In 2006, he was named the "Poet of Conscience" by Amnesty International. His poetry has appeared across various media, including Rattle Magazine, the Poetry Foundation online, National Public Radio, numerous anthologies, and the fifth and sixth seasons of HBO's Def Poetry Jam. He is a professional poker player and instructor for Cardrunners.com, the premier poker strategy website on the internet, and is currently collaborating on a strategy book with his poker mentor Corwin "[vital]Myth" Cole. His poker writing has been featured in Bluff Magazine, Poker Player, and he recently was interviewed for Mediocre Poker Radio. He has shared stages with Nikki Giovanni, Li-Young Lee, Talib Kweli, and George Clinton, and performed at hundreds of colleges across the country, including Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Sarah Lawrence College. He recently finished his third national poetry tour and is living in Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker.
For booking information, e-mail: alvin.c.lau@gmail.com
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"Alvin Lau carves blizzards out of granite, releasing flurries of words that make you step back, catch your breath, and marvel at the craft and concentration humming underneath."
-Jeremy Richards, co-editor of the 2005 National Poetry Slam Anthology
"Alvin Lau is young, sharp, and freakishly talented. A manic intellectual, Lau provides metaphorical bricks to his readers and listeners, asking them to launch them through the dirty window of apathy."
-Rachel McKibbens, Women of World Poetry Slam 2009 Champion
"Billy Collins meets Kanye West."
-The Chicago Tribune.
"A poetic prodigy."
-The Georgetown Voice
"Alvin Lau is like a freshly lit fireball, graceful, vibrant and booming . Expect greatness."
-Jaylee Alde, member of nationally acclaimed API spoken word group Proletariat Bronze
You completely changed my views on poetry. Thank you very much for coming The University of Toledo, even though most people didn't get your "old" school references, i thought they were very funny. Full moon was beautiful and thank you again for sharing the poem about being a survivor. You blew my mind today.
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW...SHOVEL...CAUSE BRAND NE W COLD BrrrrrBLOODED BULLSHHHHUKAS IS SOON TO BE UPON US......BELIEVE WISDOM THAT 1!
A little Black girl (UNCLASSIFIED)
A stranger was seated next to a little black girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said, "Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger." The little girl, who had just opened her coloring book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, "What would you like to talk about?" "Oh, I don't know," said the stranger. "Since you are a black, do you think that So-called President Elect Barak Obama is qualified for the job?" and he smiles. "OK", she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff -grass -. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?" The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea." To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss President Barak Obama... when you don't know shit?" HAPPY NEW 1-12!!!! BE BLESSED, SAFE, SUCEESFUL ALL YR. ROUND! As my peoples taught me "IT AIN'T NOTHING BUT CHEWED UP GRASS CUZIN..."
In addition to the Obama World we now live in there's a lot to be thankful for. For starters, thanks for being my friend. Hope to see you Sunday at Bills Blues.
hey thanks!! Are you coming to Ill List this year? I don't see you on the line up to read. =( My sister that's 2nd on my profile loves you btw. you are her favorite poet.
