The Wake

Valentine’s Day is the perfect example of a holiday that has been co-opted by the Hallmark Card. Although each year February 14 seems to become more publicized and more commercialized, for every person giving roses and chocolate there seem to be just as many who aim for something more unique. This year, the Minnesota Historical Society provided one such opportunity for lovebirds in search of something off the beaten path.

Victorian Poetry Slam. That may look like a typo, but on Saturday February 9, The James J. Hill House opened its doors for an event that could not be described any other way. Located on the edge of downtown St. Paul, the staggering mansion provided an exquisite view of both the inside and outside. Windows in the parlor looked out into the dark night accented by the lights of downtown. The parlor itself held an imposing marble fireplace complete with mirrors and Ionic columns. This fireplace was what became the stage for the evening’s activities.

The actors appeared suddenly and in character, delivering first lines before they had finished entering the room. As they then explained, the performance was called a poetry slam because of the delivery style. As opposed to the classic 19th century style, which required the reader to remain very nearly still, this performance consisted of spirited readings by three local actors. Ann Brueggeman, Craig Johnson and Laura Salveson, all dressed in formal 19th century attire.

The performance truly was a poetry “slam.” Words were delivered crisply and at volume, with gestures to match. This technique, usually associated with the Beat poets of the 1950s and 60s or with spoken word and hip-hop, breathed life into the old familiar words.

Though names like “Kipling,” “Dickens,” “Witman” and “Thoreau” graced the program, the section entitled “An Unsettling Selection of Bad Victorian Poems” included poets who were a little more obscure.

Because it was a Valentine’s Day reading, the content did include more traditional love-poems such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet from the Portuguese, 43” which begins “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” But in no way was the performance limited to love poems. The highlights of the night were comprised of the more humorous poems such as “The Lips That Touch Liquor Shall Never Touch Mine” and “Casey at the Bat.” Though the performance seemed to be executed flawlessly, the actors sheepishly admitted to flubbing famous lines after the show had finished.

“I also want you to know that I did not plan the bells, but I liked it,” Johnson says in response to bells that rang out conveniently during his recitation of Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!”

All in all, the extravagant setting, affordable price and quality performance made the Victorian Poetry Slam quite an event and left the audience with a taste of what being royalty must feel like.

The Victorian poetry slam may not be for everyone. Despite the performance being exuberant and catering to all the senses, poetry was still unquestionably the main focus. For those who could care less about turning a good rhyme, a more traditional approach to Saturday night would probably be best.

Still, one student at the University of Minnesota who periodically makes time to watch the five-hour version of Pride and Prejudice with friends thought the event sounded like her cup of tea.

“That could be cool,” Jessica Arett says. “It’d be a unique experience, and even if it was bad we could make fun of it together.”

The mansion is open throughout the year Wednesday-Saturday but it is not often that the price of admission includes refreshments and a trip back in time to boot. To make tour reservations, or to find out about upcoming events, visit