Bay Area Spoken Word Listings The Bay Area has always been rich in poetry: from the days of the beat poets in the 60s to the poetry slams of the 90s, poetry spoken aloud has drawn together crowds of people from disparate backgrounds. Today's poetry events are usually a mix of poetry, spoken word, slams, music and humor, with readings of prose, essays, short stories and other forms of fiction. The best thing about spoken-word events is the cost -- free! Well, sometimes the venues request a small donation, and you may want to sip a beer or a coffee drink, but any way you look at it, open mics are an interesting and inexpensive alternative to whatever's been boring you. These events are also great for meeting new people, expanding your social circle, or checking out new parts of town. Try a few different venues to find one you really love, and then support it by attending regularly and reading work of your own. While the following list is up to date, it's always a good idea to call ahead and make sure the venue will be open that night. Also, many venues schedule featured performers in addition to open mics, so you should inquire about scheduled readings. All events are free and open to all ages unless indicated otherwise. MONDAYS Celebration of the Word Voted Best SF Reading in 1998! The host, Jeanne Powell, is really friendly, and the café serves yummy, healthy Mediterranean fare. Featured readers at 7 pm followed by an open mic. For more information, read Jeanne Powell's Poetics Profile. >>>Notes from the Underground Café, 2399 Van Ness Avenue, 415.775.7638 MindGrind Featured poets and an open mic grace this North Bay poetry and performance series hosted by Carl Macki, Oceana, Lori Rouse and Dan McKenzie. Monday and Wednesday nights at 7 pm. All ages. >>>GroundUp Cafe, 144 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, 707.762.87978 Poetry Nitro Featured poetry reader followed by an open mic, hosted by Mark States. Every Monday. Sign up 7:30, reading 8 pm to 10 pm. >>>Café de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 510.843.0664 Sweetie's Open Mic Sweetie's features a featured reader poetry reading, followed by an open mic. Every Monday at 7:30 pm. >>>Sweetie's, 475 Francisco between Powell & Mason, San Francisco, 415.433.2343 TUESDAYS Andrew's Open Mic This Richmond poetry reading is open to all genres and styles. Performers can read original work or someone else's published work. The third Tuesday of every month at Simple Pleasures Café. Sign-up at 7:30 pm. >>>Simple Pleasures Café, 3434 Balboa Street, between 35th and 36th Avenues, 415.387.4022 Java Supreme Featured readings, often one spoken word reader and one acoustic performer. Not generally an open mic, but if you submit work to the host you may get a chance to feature. 8 pm. >>>Java Supreme, 703 Guerrero at 19th Street, 415.206.1832 Luggage Store Open mic and other literary and artistic events, including live music. Sign-up at 7:30 pm, performance at 8 pm. $1-$3 sliding-scale donation requested. >>>Luggage Store, 1007 Market Street near 6th Street, 415.255.5971 Silicon Valley Poetry Slam Listen to technophiles grouse about the woes of the Internet age in this feisty peninsula slam. Every second & fourth Tuesday at 8 pm. $5 cover, 18+ only. >>>WAVES Smokehouse & Saloon, 65 Post Street, San Jose, 408.885.9283 Tongue Tuesdays Open mic, live bands, poetry slams and featured readers. Hosted by Afro Ken and guests. First & third Tuesday of the month. $5-$10, 21+ only. >>>Eli's Mile High Club, 3629 Martin Luther King Blvd., Oakland, 510.655.6661 Tourettes Without Regrets Irreverent, inappropriate and obscene open mic hosted by Jamie Kennedy and Anthony Miller. First and third Tuesdays of the month, sign-up at 7:30 pm, show at 8, $5, ages 21+. For more information, read Sophia Hanifah's Poetics Profile. >>>The Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph (between Grand & 24th), Oakland, 510.444.6174 The Whole Note Poetry Series This Berkeley open mic is hosted by Jesse Beagle on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Featured reader at 7 pm followed by open mic readings. >>>The Whole Note, 2925 College Avenue near Ashby, Berkeley, 510.549.9093 Word Dancing A new reading series hosted by Leonard Irving and Jeanne Powell, of Celebration of the Word fame, Word Dancing is all about continuous open mic. Tuesdays, from 7 pm to 9 pm. >>>Andalusia Café, 1209 Sutter Street @ Polk, San Francisco, 415.928.8904 WEDNESDAYS Afro-San Francisco Society of Poets An open forum of poetry readings for local poets -- all are welcome to participate. Last Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. >>>SF Public Library, Western Addition Branch, 1550 Scott Street at Geary, 415.292.2160 Bezerkely Open Slam A multi-round of open slams, featuring local and touring poets. Spontaneous eruptions of haiku have been known to occur, so be warned! Friendly, enthusiastic crowd in an Irish pub-type atmosphere. Up for grabs are $60 in cash prizes plus the coveted "Finest Poet" award. Hosted by Nazelah Jamison, Karen Ladson, Charles Ellik & Dani Eurynome. Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Sign up at 8 pm, show from 8:30 pm to 11 pm. $5, all ages before 9 pm, 21+ after. >>>Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck, Berkeley, 510.841.2082 Chicken Grease Open slam, features and DJ Funklore! And edgy style with an enthusiastic crowd. Hosted by: Nazelah Jamison and Karen Ladson. First Wednesday of the month. Sign up at 8 pm, show from 8:30 pm to 11 pm. $5, all ages before 9 pm, 21+ after. >>>Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck, Berkeley, 510.841.2082 MindGrind Featured poets and an open mic grace this North Bay poetry and performance series hosted by Carl Macki, Oceana, Lori Rouse and Dan McKenzie. Monday and Wednesday nights at 7 pm. All ages. >>>GroundUp Cafe, 144 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, 707.762.87978 Poetry in the Café This Berkeley cultural center hosts a lively blend of poetry, prose, open mic and music. The first, second and fourth Wednesday is for featured readers, followed by an open mic; the third Wednesday is for poetry accompanied by live acoustic music; the fifth Wednesday, when it occurs, is for prose open mic. $2-$5 donation requested. >>>La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, 510.849.2568 Sacred Grounds This sweet Western Addition coffee house hosts an open mic as diverse as the neighborhood hosting it. 7 pm. >>>Sacred Grounds, 2095 Hayes Avenue at Cole, 415.387.3859 Spoken Word Salon On Wednesdays, this café/Laundromat becomes a forum for spoken word. Hosted by Diamond Dave Whitaker. 8 pm. >>>Brainwash Café & Laundromat, 1126 Folsom Street, 415.864.3842 THURSDAYS The Bored Collective Add some literary merit to your clubbing: the Bored Collective, which meets the fourth Thursday of every month, is an irreverent, eclectic and sometimes obscene evening of poetry, prose, music and whatever. Music provided by Jonah Sharp, resident Bored DJ. 9 pm - 2 am. $5, 21+ only. For more info: theboredcollective@hotmail.com. >>>26 Mix, 3024 Mission Street at 26th, 415.826.7378 Dishwater Cabaret This spacious Potrero Basin café serves delicious food and boasts a cozy back patio open to smokers and dogs alike. Open mic poetry and music. Sign up at 7:30, performances at 8 pm. >>>Atlas Café, 208 Alabama Street near 15th, 415.648.1047 Fierce Words Tender This women's open mic welcomes poetry, music, comedy, song, improvisation and storytelling. Bring listening ears and willing hearts! While the audience is open to all, only women may perform. 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm. Also at Sisterspirit Bookstore in San Jose the second Saturday of each month, from 6 pm - 8 pm. >>>Blue Rock Shoot, 12453 Big Basin Highway, Saratoga, 408.741.5180 Poetry Mission Open Mic The Poetry Mission started in June of 2000 with a small group of five lounging in the living room of San Francisco attorneys Phoenix Streets and Thorn Ndaizee Meweh. The diverse group of newly acquainted writers quickly formed a lively bond of friendship dedicated to expressive and abundant writing. That night, ideas of guerilla poetry, soap box proclamations, poetry TV, educational programs and open mic sessions were tossed around and exchanged. The poetry dreamers decided that they were going to take poetry out of the usual venues and take it where it's never been before. Today, The Poetry Mission offers a weekly open mic hosted by Harvey on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. >>>Dalva, 3121 16th Street, San Francisco, 415.252.7740 Where Words Sustain Us This Oakland slam, the first weekly Bay Area show, exists as a platform to empower the voices of Oakland and the Bay Area. The show features open slam, performance spoken word and open mic, plus a great band and local and touring features. Hosted by Sonia Whittle & guests. Sign up at 7:30 pm, show 8 pm. Open mic follows at 10 pm. $5 >>>Mambo Mambo, 1803 Webster, Oakland, 510.596.8909 FRIDAYS Café International A mix of poetry and music. Featured reader at 8 pm followed by open mic. >>>Café International, 508 Haight Street, 415.474.6159 Novoid Open Mic & Poetry Slam Novoid produtions presents an open mic and poetry slam on Friday nights at 8 pm. Bring your instruments, poetry and kindness! >>>Novoid Productions, 2855 Ford Street, Oakland One World Café Open mic and comedy at 7:30 pm. >>>One World Café, 1799 McAllister Street, at Baker, 415.776.9358 Open Shout Rumor has it that frustrated stand-up comedians frequent this reading. Open poetry, comedy, spoken word and staged readings, hosted by Lori Chapman. 9 pm. >>>Java Source, 343 Clement at 5th Avenue, 415.387.8025 Spoken Elements Poetry, music and art gathered from around the Bay Area. A place for women's voices and spirits -- all are welcome. Hosted by Marcus Rene Van and Claire Lewis. Last Friday of every month. $5-$10, 21+ only. >>>Club El Rio, 3158 Mission Street, near Cesar Chavez, 415.282.3325 Spoken Word Slamma Jamma Entertain your brain with words to tickle your mind, music to make your lips sing, and comedy to make you do the laughing thing. Come ready, willing and able to entertain and/or be entertained. Contact Tuese to perform and for more info 650.652.4668 or ThemanTM@aol.com. >>>Starbucks, Bayhill Shopping Center, San Bruno, 650.615.9471 Yakety Yak Coffeehouse A Bay Area tradition for years -- poetry and spoken word at 7:30 pm. >>>Yakety Yak Coffeehouse, 679 Sutter Street, 415.351.2090 SATURDAYS Coffee Break R & R Opera Piccola presents a staged reading and open mike for poetry. Third Saturday of the month at the Rockridge Branch Library. Free -- includes refreshments. 4 pm - 5:15 pm >>>Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland, 510.658.0967 Dishwater Cabaret This spacious Potrero Basin café serves delicious food and boasts a cozy back patio, welcome to smokers and dogs alike. Open mic poetry and music. Sign up at 6:30 pm, performances at 7 pm. >>>Atlas Café, 208 Alabama Street near 15th, 415.648.1047 Java on Ocean Open mic for music, poetry and prose. If you want to reserve a performance spot, they'll handle your request! 4 pm. >>>Java on Ocean, 1700 Ocean Avenue between Faxon and Capitol, 415.333.6075 More Than Words The Marsh Theater's annex provides spoken word, music, poetry and stand-up comedy at 7:30 pm. $5 cover. >>>Mock Café, 1074 Valencia Street, 415.641.0235 Mango Mic The Bay Area's Asian American open mic is on every second Saturday of the month. 8 pm to 11 pm, sign ups at 7:30 pm. Hosted by Elizabeth C. All ages welcome; donation requested. For more information, email aaopenmic@yahoo.com. >>>Pusod, 1808 Fifth Street, Berkeley, 415.641.0235 Rhythm & Muse Rhythm & Muse takes place on the second and fourth Saturday of each month in the Berkeley Art Center gallery. The series consists of featured readers and open mic with sign-up at 6:30 pm and the performance commencing at 7 pm. Admission is free but donations are appreciated. Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut Street, Berkeley, 510.644.6893 Word Beat The Word Beat reading series welcomes poets, writers, comedians, singers and storytellers. Featured readers are followed by an open mic (microphone and piano available). Free. 7 pm - 9 pm. Any questions, please contact Debra Grace Khattab at 510.526.5985, email or the Word Beat website. Coffee With A Beat, 458 Perkins at Grand, Oakland, 510.835.5282 SUNDAYS Birth of Verse Birth of Verse is the first showcase where poets can get vital feedback in a supportive, slam-like setting, helping them to improve their verse and their performance expertise. At BOV, new poets get to rock the mic and fine tune their slamming skills while WE make sure the audience knows their job: TO SHOW LOVE. While Birth of Verse was designed to answer the concerns voiced by women poets, we want to hear all new pieces, from men and women alike. First Sunday of the month. Signup at 7:30 pm, Show at 8, $5, all ages. For more information, read Sophia Hanifah's Poetics Profile. The Black Box, 1928 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, 510.451.1932 Gloss Showcasing the skills of writers, rappers, comedians, beatboxers, philosophers, poets and performers. With smooth literary beats and intellectual cocktail treats. Every other Sunday from 10 pm to 1 am at Laszlo Lounge; 21+ only. For more information, email j_drogin@yahoo.com. >>>Laszlo Lounge, 2534 Mission Street at 21st, 415.401.0810 Kepler's Open Mic Read your own work or listen to the many talented poets in our community. Time limitation depends upon the number of people reading. First Sunday every month from 5 pm to 7 pm. >>>Kepler's Books, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 650.324.4321 Marin Poetry Center Open Reading The Marin Poetry Center, in coordination with Artisans Gallery, presents free monthly readings on the last Sunday of each month, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Please bring 5 minutes worth of poems relating (or not) to the theme. To read, or for information: RSVP Gloria Rodriguez, 510.758.4604 or gr9540@juno.com. >>>Artisans Art Gallery, 78 East Blithedale, Mill Valley, 415.388.2044 Open Mic with Girl George Girl George hosts open mic for poets & other performance artists at 10 pm. >>>Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, 510.444.6174 K'vetsh: Queer Open Mic Lynnee B. and Tara Jepson host. The first Sunday of every month. $1 admission. 7 pm sign-up, show 7:30 >>>Sadie's Flying Elephant, 491 Potrero (on the corner of Mariposa), 415.551.7988 Second Sundays Open slam intermingled with open mic. Art, music, the living word and features, including Youth Speaks superstars, local favorites and touring poets. At 350+ enthusiastic audience members per night, Second Sundays is easily the largest regular poetry slam in the world today. Hosted by SeeKing & Darcy Harris. Sign up at 7:30 pm, show from 8 pm to 11 pm. $5 before 9 pm, $8 after, 21+ only. For more information, read Sophia Hanifah's Poetics Profile. >>>Justice League, 628 Divisadero near Haight, 415.289.2038 Strictly Slam Two rounds of open slam and features, plus some wonderful spinning and works from your hosts Nazelah Jamison, Karen Ladson & guests. Last Sunday of the month. Sign up at 7:30 pm, show from 8 pm to 12 pm. $5, 18+. For more information, read Sophia Hanifah's Poetics Profile. >>>Café Royal, 800 Post Street at Leavenworth, 415.661.6927 Want to list your event? Email us! <<< Back to Literary Arts |
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