There’s nothing like reading your work out loud to get a sense of what’s clicking and what’s not. Here’s a partial list of Open Mics in the Bay Area. If you know of more, please add them in the comments section below.
Poetry Farm is held at Dr. Insomniac’s Coffee Shop at corner of Reichert and Grant in Novato (west off of De Long 101 Exit). It’s not just poetry — you can read novel excerpts, short stories, memoir. You can even sing.
Open mic sign up is at 6:30 pm (5 mins reading time) and read after Regular Readers (8 mins reading time) begin at 7 pm. Readings are from 7 to 9 pm. If you want to be on Regular Reader list, contact Poetry Farm organizer, Eric Baxter a month in advance. There’s a $2 donation to Poetry Farm requested, and you can buy coffee or smoothies in the shop.
Kaleidoscope Coffee on the Square is at 109 Park Place, Pt. Richmond downtown, every Thursday evening. Open mic sign up is at 7 pm. Venue begins about 7:30-7:45 and goes until 9:45. Prose, poetry, storytelling, music song and instrumental music is featured weekly. Bring your creative talent to share. If you want to host an event such as a book signing, you would contact Cassie. Kaleidoscope is also on Facebook. There is no formal cover charge but coffee, wine and beer, ice cream and some snacks are available for purchase.
Both of these venues provide an evening where creative talent can be shared, and entertainment abounds.
If you know of more, please add them in the comments section below.