We have a great week of events ahead of here in our poetry community. Everything starts with a great symposium at the Sunday Four Poetry Open Mic in Voorheesville on Sunday afternoon.
On Monday night we celebrate the life and legacy of Tom Nattell and the 10th Anniversary of Poets Speak Loud at McGeary’s. Special guest PSL host and Tom’s friend, Dan Wilcox recently wrote:
“Albany poet & activist Tom Nattell died on the morning of Jan. 31, 2005. That night, after the 1st “Poets Speak Loud!” open mic, then at the Lark Tavern, at which Tom had been scheduled to be the featured poet, a band of poets walked to the Robert Burns statue in nearby Washington Park to “toss” Tom’s beret onto the statue. Each year since then we have gathered at the Burns statue on the last Monday of January (when “Poets Speak Loud” is held to honor Tom’s memory & his lasting impact upon the poetry scene in his beloved Albany). The last Monday of the month was also when Tom held the QE2 Open mic in the late 1980s & ‘90s.
Please join us again this year for a brief ceremony honoring Tom at 6:30 PM, Monday, January 26 in Washington Park at the Robert Burns statue, where Hudson Ave. intersects with the Park Road (near Hudson & Willett). Then join AlbanyPoets at McGeary’s Irish Pub on Clinton Square at 7:30PMfor the monthly open mic “Poets Speak Loud!” hosted this night by me, Dan Wilcox. Tom would love it.”
The poetry and spoken word continues all week long. Here is a look at what is coming up this week…
Monday, January 25
3:00pm – Sunday Four Poetry Open Mic
Old Songs Community Center, 37 South Main Street, Voorheesville, NY
Monthly open mic for poets and poetry with a featured poet hosted by Dennis Sullivan, Mike Burke, and Edie Abrams at the Old Songs Community Center in beautiful Voorheesville, NY.
Monday, January 26
7:30pm – Poets Speak Loud
McGeary’s, 4 Clinton Square, Albany, NY
Poets Speak Loud is Albany Poets’ monthly open mic for poetry and spoken word hosted by Mary Panza. This month we celebrate the life and legacy of Tom Nattell and 10 years of Poets Speak Loud with guest host Dan Wilcox.
8:00pm – Club Harmony
Wok ‘N Roll Cafe, 52 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY
Weekly poetry open mic with a featured reader hosted by Michael Platsky.
Tuesday, January 27
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
8:00pm – Northampton Poetry Open Mic
World War II Club, 50 Conz 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, January 29
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, January 30
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, January 31
6:30pm – Inquiring Minds Bookstore
Inquiring Minds Bookstore, 65 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY
Monthly open mic with featured reader Brian Dorn at the beautiful Inquiring Minds Bookstore in Saugerties created and hosted by author Laura Lonshein Ludwig.
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.
