Gather together your best bunch of words and bring along a few melodies too, if you want to be part of this year’s “Teen Slam Jam.” Or you can just hang out and watch.

Youth Speaks and BUMP Records are heading an end-of-summer “Teen Slam Jam” at the Oakland Public Library.

The event will feature poetry slams by Youth Speaks, a nonprofit presenter of spoken-word performances by young people that offers programs to “encourage creative self-expression with the aim of combating illiteracy, alienation and silence” and live music from soul, R&B, reggae and hip-hop BUMP Records artists.

BUMP Records is a music performance and production program for Bay Area youth ages 14-19 that helps young talent by providing training in vocal technique, writing, composing and producing music.

The youngster music-makers will get a chance to perform their original work live at the event.

Check out the “Teen Slam Jam” calendar listing on BOTB.

This year’s Slam Jam takes place on Wednesday August 20, 2008, from 5 to 7:30 PM. It will be held at the Main Library-West Auditorium, 125 14th Street. For more information, call the Oakland Public Library at (510) 238-7233, or visit the Oakland Public Library’s Website at www.oaklandlibrary.org.