A panel of former poet laureates, national slam poetry champions and Slam Nuba alumni recently spoke to Denverite about their formative years in Denver's creative scene.
After that story published, a few local poets reached out and what they had to say got us thinking about the city's current poetry scene. Namely we thought, "Where is it and how can someone get plugged in?" So we looked around and made a few calls...
As colder weather stifles the joy and frequency of outdoor extracurriculars, you might consider attending a local open mic as a way to find community, share art and convene in the company of Denver's creative historians.
Here is a list of recurring open mics around the city.
Did I miss any? Email me at [email protected] with details.
Final Fridays with Slam Nuba at Redline Contemporary Art Center
Date: Last Friday of each month
Address: 2350 Arapahoe St.
Aerik "Phaentompoet" Francis with Slam Nuba hosts an open-mic and slam every final Friday of the month at Redline Contemporary Art Center in Denver. Doors and signups open 7:30 p.m. Show starts around 8:00 p.m.
General admission is $10; $5 for students.
Sacred Voices at Lighthouse Writers Workshop
Date: First Friday of each month
Address: 3844 York St.
Sacred Voices partners with Lighthouse Writers Workshop to host an open mic on the first Friday of each month. Sign ups open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. This is an all ages event. Events are free and open to the public, donations are appreciated.
Sacred Voices at Denver Community Media
Date: Second Friday of each month
Address: 2101 Arapahoe St.
Sacred Voices an open mic on the second Friday of each month at Denver Community Media. Sign ups begin at 6 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m. Performances are limited to 10 minutes. Events are free and open to the public, donations are appreciated.
Bodies of Culture BIPOC Open Mic at Mercury Cafe
Date: Second Thursday of each month
Address: 2199 California St.
Bodies of Culture is a diverse group of musicians and professionals with a dedication to equity in Colorado's music industry. In partnership with Levitt Pavilion they host an open mic every second Thursday of the month. Sign ups start at 6:30 p.m. Shows start at 7 p.m.
Poetry Slam at Mercury Cafe
Date: Every Sunday night
Address: 2199 California St.
Poets can compete for $50 at Mercury Cafe's weekly Sunday slam. Show runs from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Words with em'ocean at Green Spaces
Date: Second Tuesday of each month
Address: 2590 Walnut St.
Curated and hosted by poet Emma Christine Johnson, artistically known as em'ocean, is an open mic every second Tuesday of the month inside of Five Points co-working and marketplace Green Spaces. Sign ups begin at 6 p.m. Show starts at 6:30 p.m.
Follow their Instagram account for updates.
Blush & Blu Bar Open Mic
Date: Every Tuesday night
Address: 1526 E. Colfax Ave.
Blush & Blu Bar, a queer inclusive bar on Colfax, hosts an open mic every Tuesday featuring a rotating host of poets. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Corner Beet
Date: Every Monday night
Address: 1401 North Ogden St.
Capitol Hill's The Corner Beet hosts a weekly open mic on Monday night open to musicians, poets, comedians and more. Doors and talent sign ups begin at 6 p.m.
Petals & Pages
Date: First Thursday of each month
Address: 956 Santa Fe Dr.
Bookstore, flower shop and community space Petal & Pages on Santa Fe hosts monthly open mic nights on the first Thursday of each month. Priority is given to performers of marginalized genders. Sign ups begin at 5:30 p.m. Show starts at 6 p.m.
Shades of Honey
Date: Every other month
Shades of Honey is a community collective seeking to amplify the voices of Black, Brown and Indigenous artists within Denver. Co-founded by Karia White and Donavon Bright, the group hosts open mics every other month.
Be sure to follow their instagram for information on upcoming events.
Punketry! + Open Mic at Mutiny Information Cafe
Date: Second Wednesday of each month
Address: 2 S. Broadway
A mixture of punk and poetry comes together every second Wednesday of the month at Mutiny Information Cafe, hosted by Sarah Rodriguez. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.
Snap Crackle Poetry Open Mic at Mutiny Information Cafe
Date: Second Sunday of each month
Address: 2 S. Broadway
Hosted by South Broadway Press is an open mic on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. on Broadway.
Community Cypher All Genre Open Mic
Date: Third Thursday of each month
Address: 2900 N. Downing St. Suite 1B
The part open mic, part party, part workshop all genre open mic hosted by Creative Strategies for Change takes place every third Thursday of the month. Sign ups start at 6:30 p.m. Shows start at 7 p.m. The event is all ages and a suggested $5 donation is encouraged.
Stain'd Arts Open Mic
Date: Second Tuesday of each month
Address: 525 Santa Fe Dr.
Hosted by nonprofit Stain'd Arts every second Tuesday of the month at Town Hall Collaborative. Performers have 5 minutes to share their work and sign ups are on a lottery system starting at 6:30 p.m. Shows start at 7 p.m.
