After years in the underground, poetry slams have found their way into the mainstream, launching the careers of Sage Francis, Saul Williams and Shane Koyczan. Now, the National Poetry Slam (aka "the Olympics of poetry") is making its way to St. Paul. The five-day fest is the world's largest event of its kind, hosting 84 slam teams and more than 500 poets from throughout North America and Europe. Last year's reigning champions, St. Paul's own Soap Boxing team, are the ones to beat this year: Kyle (Guante) Myhre, Shane Hawley, Sierra DeMulder, Khary J (aka 6 Is 9) and Sam Cook. Minnesota's Punch Out Poetry Slam and SlamMN! are also competing. Leading up to next Saturday's finals at Roy Wilkins Auditorium will be a series of events like "Nerd Slam" and "Head to Head Haiku" at venues throughout St. Paul, including the Artists' Quarter, the History Theatre, the McNally Smith College of Music and the Fitzgerald Theater, among others. The Artists' Quarter is getting things started two days early with its annual Soap Boxing Erotic Slam (8 p.m. Sun.), where slammers break out their best naughty verse.