Essex Library Poetry Open Mic Night

Poetry Open Mic, January 2013 — Essex Library Poetry Open Mic attendees enjoying the literary atmosphere at one of the final events in the last series. (January 2013)

Thursday, November 21 at 7:00PM
At the Belden Noble Memorial Library, Essex, NY

Open mic poetry nights are beginning yet again at the Belden Noble Library on Thursday, November 21 at 7:00pm. This winter series was a popular pastime during the last cold season in Essex, and let’s try to make it even more so this year! Come to recite your poetry or just to listen. The event is free and open to all poets and all kinds of poetry!

RSVP to the event on Facebook to let others know that you will be attending! If you miss this event, then prepare for the next Poetry Open Mic on December 19!

Check out the details:

Who: Poets, wannabe poets, and poetry fans
What: Poetry Open Mic in Essex (minus microphone)
Where: Belden Noble Memorial Library (opposite Essex-Charlotte ferry)
When: Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm
Why: To learn something? To show off your talents? To get out of the house? To have fun!
Cost: Free!

Call the library for more information at (518) 963-8079.

Enjoy Local, Organic, Free-Range Poetry in Essex

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it really an open mic?

A: Yes. And no. Next Thursday’s community poetry reading is wide open to the public. But you’ll find no microphone. The space is intimate. And the acoustics are groovy. No microphone is needed. So, strictly speaking the Poetry Open Mic in Essex is not really an “open mic”.

Q: Is it actually a poetry slam?
A: No. While last summer’s poetry events were billed as poetry slams, they were actually just informal, public readings in which everyone was invited to share their own poetry aloud with a friendly and supportive audience. Poetry slams are competitive.

“Simply put, poetry slam is the competitive art of performance poetry. It puts a dual emphasis on writing and performance, encouraging poets to focus on what they’re saying and how they’re saying it. A poetry slam is a competitive event in which poets perform their work and are judged by members of the audience.” (Poetry Slam – General FAQ) Next Thursday you’ll witness no competition, only encouragement and admiration from your peers.

Q: Is it child friendly?
A: Although poets are invited to decide for themselves whether or not their material is appropriate for the audience, there are sometimes children in attendance and even reading or reciting their own poems. I attended all of the poetry last summer and never once did I witness poetry that was inappropriate for children.

Q: Is there a fee to attend? To read?
A: Although similar events elsewhere often require payment for attendance, it is totally free to attend and/or read at the Poetry Open Mic in Essex. (FYI, the Belden Noble Library does accept/encourage donations.)

Q: Do I have to be a published poet to read?
A: Certainly not. Most of the poets reading write poetry for fun rather than profit. (Excuse the cheeky aside to all writers who’ve grown rich publishing poetry!)

Attend the poetry event and experience the atmosphere for yourself!

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