We are very excited to announce the new podcast from Albany Poets, Next Up to The Mic! Each week we bring you performances from poets and spoken word artists that have graced our stages over the years.
We have a very big archive of audio and video documenting the many readings, open mics, and events in the area. We thought that since we can’t be all together in one room for readings, open mics, and live events we can enjoy some of the great talent that has performed in the area in the past 15-20 years.
We are kicking off the new series on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, with the featured performance from Brandon Williamson from Nitty Gritty Slam #89 that took place on March 3, 2015, at The Low Beat on Central Avenue in Albany, NY.
A new episode will debut every Wednesday and all of the episodes will be from that month in our history.
The first month of Next Up to The Mic episodes includes
- March 3 – Brandon Williamson (Nitty Gritty Slam #89, 3/3/2015)
- March 10 – Avery Stempel (Poets Speak Loud, 3/29/2010)
- March 17 – Billy Stanley (Poets Speak Loud, 3/27/2006)
- March 24 – Don Levy (Poets Speak Loud, 3/30/2009)
- March 31 – Ian Macks (Brass Tacks, 3/19/2019)
In the coming months you can expect to hear from local poets like D. Colin, R.M. Engelhardt, Melody Davis, and Rebecca Schumejda as well as artists from across the country including Wil Gibson, Christopher Johnson, Michelle Battiste, Fable, Janae Johnson, Pierre Joris, and more.
Later in the year, as in-person events begin to start again, Albany Poets will host live tapings of the podcast that will include a Q&A session with the audience.
The Podcast website – https://hvwg.org/next – will have extra content for each episode including extended bios, videos, photos, and information on their current and upcoming projects.
