The 2016 Albany Word Fest is here! We have seven solid days of poetry and spoken word in the region this week celebrating the Word Fest and National Poetry Month. Here is a look at what is coming up in our poetry community…
Sunday, April 17
6:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest Kickoff & Up The River Launch Party
McGeary’s, 4 Clinton Square, Albany, NY
The 2016 Albany Word Fest kick-offs with the release of the fourth edition of Albany Poets’ literary journal, Up The River at McGeary’s in Downtown Albany.
Monday, April 18
6:30pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest – An Evening of Poetry and Prose
Hudson River Coffee House, 227 Quail Street, Albany, NY
“An Evening of Poetry and Prose” featuring readings from regional poets and writers Allen Parmenter, Daniel Nester, Heidi Pangratis, Annie Christain, and Brian Dorn, hosted by Harvey Havel.
7:00pm – Poetic Vibe
Troy Kitchen, 77 Congress Street, Troy, NY
Start the week off right with Troy Kitchen’s Poetic Vibe Mondays. There’s poetry, food, music and of course a vibe that will engage your emotions and imagination. Next Poetic Vibe is featuring Luis Pabon and Tai Allen. Come early to sign up for the open mic! Bring a poem, bring a friend, bring an appetite and bring your energy!
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.
8:00pm – Club Harmony
Wok ‘N Roll Cafe, 52 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock, NY
A weekly poetry and spoken word open mic series hosted by Michael Platsky with featured poet Robert Milby.
Tuesday, April 19
7:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest – Nitty Gritty Slam Haiku Battle
The Low Beat, 335 Central Ave., Albany, NY
This special edition of NGS pits two poets against each other on stage in a battle of 17 syllables. Participation is limited to the first 16 poets who sign up.
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.
7:00pm – 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.
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. This week’s featured poet is Rushelle Frazier.
Wednesday, April 20
7:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest – Albany Poets Presents Wil Gibson
Restaurant Navona, 289 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY
Albany Poets is proud to welcome Wil Gibson as featured guest at Albany Poets Presents at Restaurant Navona. Albany Poets Presents puts a spin on the typical poetry event in the local literary community by highlighting one poet every two months with an interview and Q&A session following the reading., recorded for the Albany Poets podcast.
7:30pm – Next Year’s Words, A Reading Forum
Jewish Congregation of New Paltz Community Center, 30 North Chestnut Street, New Paltz, NY
Next Year’s Words celebrates National Poetry Month with eight writers from our previous programs – Kate Hymes, Tana Miller, Tim Brennan, Anne Gorrick, Susan Chute, Holly Christiana, Linda Melick, Jan Zlotnik Schmidt – and a longer open mic.
Thursday, April 21
7:00 PM – 2016 Albany Word Fest – Third Thursday Poetry Night
Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Dan Wilcox hosts this open mic for poetry and spoken word featuring poet Tina Barry.
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, April 22
7:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest Open Mic
UAG Gallery, 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY
The annual Word Fest Open Mic hosted by Albany Poets returns home to the UAG Gallery on Lark St. Poets who wish to participate in the open mic can sign up online until 11:59pm on Friday, April 15. There will be a limited opportunity to sign up at the event itself. The open mic is open to all poets and spoken word artists with no style or content restrictions.
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, April 23
8:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest – Creativity Workshop
Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Before the Invitational Slam, Nitty Gritty Slam Slammaster Amani will lead a workshop to explore the value of free writing and group poetry as vessels for personal and social transformation.
8:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest Invitational Slam
Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY
Albany Poets, Frequency North, and UGT are proud to welcome teams from all over the Northeast, including our very own Nitty Gritty Slam, to compete in this regional slam event.
8:00pm – 2016 Albany Word Fest – Nitty Gritty Underground Slam
Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany, NY
For the first time ever, we close the Albany Word Fest with an Underground Slam, giving out-of-towners and local poets an opportunity to get in on the fun and the funds. The entire audience will determine what poet goes home with the money in this head-to-head battle.
[su_note note_color=”#F1F1F1″ radius=”0″]If you would like to have your poetry event listed on the Albany Poets Events Calendar, click here and fill out the form to submit your event.[/su_note]
