New Poetry Open Mic Series Starts September 18

Designed to provide an authentic open mic experience for local writers wishing to read their poems in a public setting, our new virtual program series “From the Page to the Mic” is kicking off this month! Join library staff and local poet and writer Kristina Hamlett on Saturday afternoons in September, October, and November for the opportunity to present poetry and hear the work of both novice and veteran poets read out loud.

September’s program will be a true open mic session, welcoming writers to explore topics of their choice through the art of poetry. This session is already full of presenters, but join in to listen to members of our community share their work! Poetry readings in October and November will be organized thematically with October’s program based on the theme of “Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Poets,” and November’s theme, exploring who we are based on history, genealogy, and geography in “Origins: Where We Come From.” October’s registration is nearly full, but sign up for November or let us know if you’d like to participate in future sessions. All are welcome!

If you register online for a slot to step up to the microphone, you will have the opportunity to share your work in a relaxed atmosphere with a supportive audience of local writers, poets, and poetry enthusiasts. Those wishing to attend as audience members do not need to register in advance and may log in on the day and at the time of the event. There will be a brief Q&A discussion with participating poets after the readings. This program will be held online via Webex and is intended for mature teens and adults.

See the Henrico Library Events Calendar for program details at henricolibrary.org/calendar.

September 18, 2021, 4:00 PM, “From the Page to the Mic: A Poetry Reading Series”, welcome and open mic night via Webex.
October 16, 2021, 4:00 PM, “From the Page to the Mic: A Poetry Reading Series”, theme: “Amplifying the Voices of BIPOC Poets” via Webex.
November 13, 2021, 4:00 PM, “From the Page to the Mic: A Poetry Reading Series”, theme: “Origins: Where We Come From” via Webex.