For poets and writers, an essential part of fine-tuning their craft involves the support and guidance that comes from performance. And in a bustling artistic community like Toledo, that support can be found every week at open mic nights throughout the Glass City.
Listen and learn
“Open mic” is a catch-all term for an event that offers the opportunity to perform, usually for 5-10 minutes. Over the past few years locally, a myriad of options have become available for those looking to share their work, or simply to listen— and maybe learn from— other artists.
“The most important exposure for a poet is not performing, him or herself— as in self-promotion— but exposure [to] other poets,” said Kerry Trautman, Toledo area writer, co-founder of the online group the Toledo Poetry Museum, and co-founder/editor of ToledoPoet.com, a site which provides a comprehensive list of open mic events. “I learned so much as a young poet, and of course, I continue to learn from watching more seasoned poets perform.”
Don’t be afraid
What should young artists do to overcome the inevitable jitters felt when taking the stage for the first time?
“The only way to overcome stage fright is to power through it,” Trautman said. “For many years my arms shook as I’d read. But audiences love a mic virgin, and will cheer you on and clap like crazy when you’re done.”
For more information on area open mic events,
visit toledopoet.com.
Weekly events
Artists of all stripes— Poets, musicians, singers and more— are encouraged to showcase their talents at the Toledo Art Jam every Tuesday, hosted by owner Dee Brown and local singer/songwriter Orlando Finelli.
8pm-midnight | Delightful Art with Dee | 137 N. Michigan St.
Foodies and those looking for some good brew with their poetry would be well served to attend Black Kite’s Wednesday open mic.
6-7pm | Black Kite Coffee and Pies | 2499 Collingwood Blvd.
For a more subdued ambience The Spoken Word Trunk of Truth, Friday evenings, is hosted by native Chicago performer/poet ‘Stormi.’
6-10pm | The Trunk | 3353 Franklin Ave.
For a more freewheeling atmosphere, it’s hard to beat the Glass City Open Mic, held every Saturday. Poets, musicians, prose writers and even comedians are welcome to take the stage at the new coffee shop.
2-4pm | Glass City Roasters | 1240 W. Sylvania Ave.
Listen to spoken word and soul performances while connecting with the community and taking a stand against systemic racism during Fade to Black:
A Celebration of Black Love, Black Family and Black Power at 8:30pm on Friday, July 15 at Our Brothers Place (233 N. Huron St.) $5.
Visit Facebook event page for more information.
Monthly events:
Other open mics are held sporadically, usually once a month.
Broadway Bards at the Bird, features a group of local poets, interspersed with open mic performances. Hosted by Ye Olde Durty Bird (2 S. St. Clair) the event takes place the second Thursday of every month from 8-10:30pm.
Monthly open mics also take place at the Common Space (1700 Reynolds Rd), the third Saturday of every month (6-10pm) and at the Black Cloister Brewing Co. (619 Monroe St.) on the second Sunday of each month, 2-4pm.
