Essex Library Poetry Open Mic

Local, Organic, Free-Range Poetry in Essex, NY!

Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m
Belden Noble Library, Essex, NY
Free to attend!

The last open mic poetry event of the Belden Noble Library’s winter series will be held on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. Come to recite your poetry or just to listen. The event is free and open to all poets and all kinds of poetry!

Whether or not you participated in the library’s January poetry gathering, February’s Poetry Open Mic or last month’s poetry event you are invited to attend this one!

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: Wednesday, May 1 at 7:00 pm
Why: This is your last chance to attend!

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it really an open mic?

A: Yes. And no. Next Wednesday’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.

Kathryn Cramer reads her collage poem at poetry open mic in Essex, NY (January 2013)

“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 Wednesday 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!)

I look forward to seeing you at the poetry open mic in Essex next Wednesday, May 1, 2013!

Library Summer Schedule

Belden Noble Memorial Library in Essex, NY

Also, library patrons should check out this note from the Essex library:

We begin our summer hours on Wednesday, May 1. Note that we will be open until 6:00pm on Thursdays.

Mon – 2:00 to 4:00
Tues – 2:00 to 4:00
Wed – 2:00 to 4:00
Thurs – 1:00 to 6:00
Fri – noon to 5:00
Sat – 10:00 to 5:00

Poetry Open Mic in Essex on Wednesday, March 27 (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Essex Community Concerts: “Lift Up Our Library” (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Lakeside School Benefit: Silent Auction at Essex Inn (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

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