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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 Louder than a Bomb: the Chicago Youth Poetry Slam, 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, individual runner-up at the National Poetry Slam, a Pushcart Nominee, and in 2006 he was named "Poet of Conscience" of 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 UK, and he was recently featured on Pokernews.com and DC's Mediocre Poker Radio. He has shared stages with poets Nikki Giovanni and Li-Young Lee, emcee Talib Kweli, legendary musicians George Clinton and Buddy Guy, and has performed at hundreds of colleges across the country, including Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Sarah Lawrence College. Favorites include mangoes, tequila, and obnoxiously loud sneakers.
For booking information, e-mail: [email protected]
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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
