Steel City Slam has been in full swing since September, and on Friday, performance poets will gather for an event that could send them to a national competition.

Steel City Slam Off, Pittsburgh’s biggest slam poetry event, is this Friday at the Union Project in East Liberty.

The slam poetry season runs from September through April. At the end of the season, the top 12 poets are chosen to participate in the Grand Slam. The top five Grand Slam winners compete in nationals, which are held in Charlotte, North Carolina this year.

“That Grand Slam is kind of the biggest poetry event of the year,” said Tera McIntosh, a Steel City Slam poet. “We’re the only registered slam poetry league in the City of Pittsburgh.”

Usually between 10 and 12 poets compete at each event, which are held about once a month. McIntosh said between 60 and 70 poets compete throughout the season.

Between performances by adult league members on Friday, members of Young Steel, a newly formed youth slam poetry league will also perform.

A comedian also will perform at Friday’s event.

For more information, see the Steel City Slam and Young Steel Facebook pages, or The Union Project website.

If you’re going:

• What: Steel City Slam Off.
• When: Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m.
• Where: The Union Project, 801 North Negley Ave., Pittsburgh
• Cost: $10
• Extras: BYOB, with limited free beer available. Donations will be accepted. Age limit is 18 and older, and identification will be checked at the door.