Another great lineup of poetry and spoken word this week with lots of open mics, the 2014 Nitty Gritty Grand Slam, and a couple special events in Pittsfield to get us ready for this summer’s WXW Festival.
Here is a look at what is coming up in the poetry community this week…
Monday, May 19
7:30pm – Front Parlor
The Olde English Pub, 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY
A storytelling night at The Olde English Pub with a different theme each month hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk. This month’s theme is “Close Call”.
8:00pm – Club Harmony
Wok ‘N Roll Cafe, 52 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY
Weekly poetry open mic with featured reader hosted by Michael Platsky.
Tuesday, May 20
7:00pm – Club Helsinki Open Mic
Club Helsinki, 405 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY
A weekly open mic for music, performance, and poetry on the incredible Club Helsinki stage.
7:00pm – Emack and Bolio’s Open Mic Night
Emack & Bolio’s, Delaware Ave., Albany, NY
A weekly open mic for music and poetry
7:00 PM – Nitty Gritty Slam #70 – The 2014 Grand Slam
The Low Beat, 335 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Albany’s poetry slam continues with the 2014 Grand Slam with Kevin Peterson, Poetyc Visionz, Bless, D. Colin, Algorhythm, Daniel Summerhill, Dan Wilcox, and Elizag competing for a spot on Team Nitty Gritty. Admission to NGS is $5.00 / $3.00 with student ID.
7:00pm – Colonie Tuesday Night Live Poets’ Corner
William K. Sanford Town Library, 629 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, NY
ocal poets and writers of all ages are invited to present six to ten minutes of their original work at this open reading forum. The public is encouraged to stop in and listen. Hosted by William Robert Foltin.
8:00pm – Northampton Poetry Open Mic
Hinge, 48 Main St., Northampton, MA
Northampton’s only weekly open mic poetry night offers some of the best, most creative voices in the county. Every Tuesday night at 8:00pm. Come down and listen. Come down and share your words. Academic or slam, spoken word or political: Your words are welcome.
Thursday, May 22
7:00pm – Rockhill Bakehouse Open Mic
Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, 19 Exchange Street, Glens Falls, NY
Weekly open mic for musicians and writers.
8:00pm – Starving Artist Thursdays
Hudson River Coffee House, 227 Quail Street, Albany, NY
A weekly open Mic for music, poetry, and spoken word at one of Albany’s best new coffee shops.
Friday, May 23
7:00pm – Writers Read
The Good Purpose Art Gallery and Starving Artist Cafe, 40 Main St., Lee, MA
Writers Read is a monthly series of established poets and writers reading from their works. Each fourth Friday (with exception of November) will feature a poet and writer reading from their works for approximately 30 minutes each.
8:00pm – The Parlor Cafe Open Mic
The Parlor Cafe, 303 Ashland Street, North Adams, MA
A weekly open mic each and every Friday at the Parlor Cafe in North Adams for poets, musicians, and artists. Signup at the bar and get ready for the show, starting at 8:00pm.
Saturday, May 24
7:00pm – WXW Poetry Slam Featuring Omar Holman
Dottie’s Coffee House, 444 North Street, Pittsfield, MA
A rowdy evening of performance poets competing to move on to the WordXWord Poetry Slam semi-finals and a chance to compete in the finals during WXW 2014 in August.
For a full listing of all of the poetry and spoken word events in upstate New York, head over to the events calendar page. And if you live in the Western Massachusetts / Connecticut area, be sure to check out Lori Desrosiers‘ Poetry News Calendar.
If you would like to have your poetry event listed on AlbanyPoets.com, send an email to albanypoets+events@gmail.com with the date and details.