San Francisco Open Mic Nights and Poetry Slams

Berkeley Poetry Slam "...This is no ordinary, ho-hum open mic! Just ask our audiences – we draw 100-300 people every week to our show! In addition to the finest spoken word features around, our vibrant poetry scene spawns some of the best local talent in the nation! At every show, we also host a live improvisational band or DJ!..." Every Wednesday at The Starry Plough3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley.

Downtown Joe's American Grill and Brewhouse "...is the hot spot in Napa! We have Sports on the TV all of the time. We'll watch anything from NFL, Baseball and Basketball to Sailing and Skiing....We also have Live Music 5 nights a week. We have everything from Jazz to Rock to Open Mic. Check out our calendar...". Happy Hours: Mondays $1 tacos. Tuesdays: Free food and $2 beers. Open Mic Nite every Wednesday at 8:30.

Poetry and a Pizza "... first Friday of every month 7:30 pm $5 suggested donation : 100% goes to benefit! once you're in the door the pizza is all-you-can-eat... "

Poetry Santa Cruz ".. is dedicated to nurturing the poetry community and bringing poetry to the larger community in Santa Cruz County. We present poetry readings at Bookshop Santa Cruz, Capitola Book Café and other locations in Santa Cruz County, and the Poet/Speak open reading..."

Poetry Slam Competitions

Youth Speaks "... is one of the premier youth poetry, spoken word, and creative writing programs in the country... Host an Annual Youth Speaks Teen Poetry Slam..."

Poetry Readings and Open Mic Events

Poetry Flash at Cody's "...Since the early eighties, Poetry Flash has curated one of the West Coast's best and longest running reading series at Cody's Books in Berkeley, one of the largest and most historically influential independent bookstores in the nation. Over one-hundred writers--mostly poets--are presented each year by our host Richard Silberg. Our series is open to every style; our readers are diverse; our audiences come back for more...." Cody's Books • 2454 Telegraph Avenue (at Haste) • Berkeley Poetry Flash's list of ongoing open mic and poetry slam events in Northern California.

Poetry Center San José .... "promotes and supports the literary arts in San José. Over the past two decades, PCSJ has brought hundreds of exceptional writers from around the country to read from their works and, in many cases, to conduct workshops for local writers."... Holds poetry readings followed by open mics on the First Tuesday of the month at the Blue Monkey Bar and Taqueria, 1 East San Fernando Street, San José. Initiated Annual Poetry Festival held in May.

Poetry Santa Cruz holds "Second Tuesday" readings at Bookshop Santa Cruz Suggested donation $3 and free "Second Sunday" POET/SPEAK Open Readings at the Santa Cruz main library.

SacredGroundsCafe.com "The longest running open mic for Poetry Readings in San Francisco Every Wednesday evening Sign-up starts @ 7:00pm" Open Mic every Thursday with signup at 7. "Each sign-up gets 10 minutes or two songs. Our open mic performances are between 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m."

Sweetwater Open Mic with Austin DeLone "...Monday Nights, Sign-up at 3:30 Monday afternoon in person or call 415-388-2820... Sweetwater Open Mic Night Sweetwater's Open Mic has quickly become one of the Bay Area's most popular Open Mic stops, thanks to outstanding and continued support from the wonderful community of talented artists and faithful clientele. The vibe is always charged without being pretentious. First-time performers are challenged within the supportive bond of the Monday night "Family". Headliners and up and coming performers regularly step up. All performers - whether storytellers, performance artists, singer songwriters, instrumentalists, solos, duos, trios, bands or, of course, comedians/ennes - all are welcomed with open arms...... Step into the limelight. It is emotional, passionate, enlightening, fun, energizing - in short - it's a howl! Come and be a part of the Open Mic Family! This show has a little something for everyone! (and in this town, you never know who might be sittin' in...)." 153 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley.

Starry Plough Open Mic Night every Tuesday "...For over 10 years the Starry Plough has been welcoming new and veteran performers on a weekly basis at Open Mic. With both new and more established musicians frequenting the club, one can hear a diverse array of talent. More experienced musicians often come to try out new material while new folks get a taste for the stage. Many artists started out at the Plough. Our Open Mic veterans include The Moore Brothers, Etienne de Rocher, John Fizer,and Jamie Jenkins.
Joan Pez has been hosting the event for a number of years. Her personality, comedic timing, and appreciation for music of all genres, render her a most congenial and entertaining host. Frequenters of the Plough say that in addition to being the best Open Mic in the Bay Area, it is also the most fun! This is an event that is not only fun for musicians, but for listeners also...." 3101 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley. Check out their Live Music schedule (Thursday thru Saturday, weekly).

Club Deluxe Poetry and jazz open mic on Tuesdays. No cover charge. See Swedish Wrench site for details on other Club Deluxe events.

The Canvas Gallery

Free Bookstore Events

We've listed the calendars of some bookstores who feature regular author readings and book signing events.

A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books

Black Oak Books holds frequent readings in their Berkeley store.

Capitola Book Cafe "The Capitola Book Cafe is a home to me. I love this bookstore. I love these women. They are family. It just may be one of my favorite places on the planet, truly. If independent bookstores are capable of changing communities, then the town of Capitola is undergoing a continual metamorphosis of the spirit. The power of literary exchanges going on at the Capitola Book Cafe are nothing short of revolutionary. I do not have the words to adequately convey the magic of this place, only the love." - - TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS - -

Cody's Bookstores San Francisco and Berkeley stores are noted for their many author events and readings.

Kepler's Books and Magazines Also has several Book Clubs

M is for Mystery

Special Events and Lectures

Grace Cathedral Special Events

Festivals

Berkeley Poetry Festival "... Every poet is encouraged to participate. New poets, seasoned poets, jazz poets and their groups, slam poets. This is an all inclusive festival, sponsored by Mother's Hen and the City of Berkeley, and we welcome everyone...."

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