![]() | fresh2thresh: I want to spit something tonite...where are they having spoken word or open mic @ in bham? about 40 minutes ago |
![]() | bigfacesent: ARE YOU COMING TO OPEN MIC MONDAY TONIGHT @ THE HOTBOX? YOU SHOULD IF YOU ARE A RAPPER OR SINGER! about 47 minutes ago |
| Sunnypalatine: RT @TomFelton Honey,pls specify your question. Do you mean yellow-skinned bloke or legendary Greek epic poet? Both are men...erm...somehow.x about 2 hours ago |
![]() | DJ_Johnnyboi: OPEN MIC MONDAYS @ THE HOTBOX TONIGHT! DOORS OPEN @ 10, YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER TO ENTER... about 3 hours ago |
![]() | bigfacesent: BIG FACES ENT PRESENTS OPEN MIC MONDAYS @ THE HOTBOX TONIGHT! IF U RAP OR SING THIS IS FOR YOU! LOTS OF NETWORKING & EXPORSURE! about 4 hours ago |
| By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers |
| Last updated April 24, 2003 at 5:50 a.m. |
|
Maybe you're a prolific writer who's been composing rhythmic verse since you can first remember. Or maybe you're a wallflower with the secret desire to get out there and express yourself.
Whatever the case, Geo Kiesow, who's been running the Poetry Slam at Milwaukee's Y-Not II since 1987, says open mic nights are a great way to hone your craft. He took over the role of manager after consistently earning the title as Slam Champion while a participant in the program.
"You gotta start somewhere," says Kiesow. "Poetry on the page is nice and all, but only poets are going to read it. If you really want people to hear your stuff, you got to get out and read it yourself."
And not only will performing on stage get the message to the people, Kiesow says it'll help improve your writing, too. Case in point, Kiesow mentions Poetry Slam veteran Jeanne Spicuzza. A former Milwaukeean, Spicuzza is now working in L.A. as a professional artist and writer.
"I remember when she first started reading ... and I watched her get better and better," says Kiesow. "That's one of the things I enjoy the most, is watching some of these people start out and get better and better."
There's no need for experience, and Kiesow says Milwaukee is actually a "kinder, gentler" place to participate in open mic nights. Cities like Chicago employ audience heckling, actually, snapping and grunting, when they don't like something they see. But that kind of behavior's not kosher in Milwaukee, says Kiesow.
"You just gotta get up and do it," Kiesow advises. "People should get out there and give it a shot."
So who knows? You might be a poet and not even know it! If you'd like to give it a try, here's a list of some open mic nights in Milwaukee for both the poetry and music lover in you.
For the Poet:
Mecca Night Club and Lounge, 3801 W. Hampton Ave. (414) 462-4727, Still Waters Open Mic Poetry. Every Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission is $3. Ages 21 and older only.
The Coffee House, 631 N. 19th St. (414) 299-9598. Look on Web site for most current listings, the-coffee-house.com for select acoustic and spoken word open stage events. $2 admission. Café is located in the lower level of Redeemer Lutheran Church.
The Eighth Note Coffee House, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., ground floor of UWM Student Union. (414) 229-5961. Scheduled readings upon request by a host or organization. Call for current event.
Woodland Pattern Bookstore, 720 E. Locust St. (414) 263-5001. Red Letter reading series is every third Friday, monthly. Night features local and regional writers and begins at 7 p.m. with an open mic. Hiatus in December, January and July.
Y-Not II, 706 E. Lyon. (414) 347-9972. Poetry Slam, second and fourth Wednesdays, monthly. Open mic and featured performer. Winners participate in Super Slam readings in November. Starts at 8:30 p.m.
For the Musician:
Bremen Café, 901 E. Clark St. (414) 372-5351. Open jams on Monday nights. Begins around 7 p.m. and lasts until everyone has played.
Dr.'s Office, 1309 S. 60th St. (414) 475-5128. Open jams, call for scheduled times.
Juniors Sports Bar and Grill, 5409 N. Green Bay Rd. (414) 228-0922) Open stage on Tuesday nights at around 7 p.m.
Linneman's Riverwest Inn, 1001 E. Locust St. (414) 263-9844. Acoustic Open Stage on Wednesday nights. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sign up sheet goes out at 9 p.m. Music starts at 10 p.m.
Quarters, 900 East Center St. 263-4140. The Original Sunday Night Stage w/Mariah. Must register on sign-up sheet before performance. Music starts at 9 p.m.
Sande's National Pasttime, 5105 W. National Ave. (414) 385-0896. Sunday Open Blues Jam with Tall Mike.
Six Points Pub, 6200 W. Greenfield Ave. (414) 773-4980. Monday night Blues Jam. Starts around 9:30 p.m.
Know of another open mic? Add it by using the talkback feature below.
|
6 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Posted by rnzh102 on March 18, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (report)
The Up and Under does host open mic on Monday nights starting at 9pm. It's best to get there by 8 though because the sign up list takes about 15 minutes to fill up. You can either play alone or with the house band behind you. This is a great way to get your foot in the door to play a Thurs/Fri/Sat at the Up.
| Rate this: |
Posted by JacksonM on Jan. 8, 2009 at 9:35 a.m. (report)
Aren't there regular open mics at Up and Under and the Mirimar Theater? I have not been to them, I was checking this article to see when they are, but they are not listed.
| Rate this: |
Posted by glindekugel on July 28, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (report)
Highway 414 will be hosting an open jam at Little Downtown Lounge on 88th and Greenfield in West allis on July, 31st. PA provided, just bring your AX, and your acts. Always a good time:)
| Rate this: |
Posted by OMCreader on March 22, 2006 at 1:24 p.m. (report)
Kyle Feerick said: There is an open mic with Ethan Keller every Wednesday night at The Groove on S. Kinnicinnic Ave. from around 10pm until 1am.
| Rate this: |
Posted by OMCreader on Oct. 1, 2005 at 12:16 p.m. (report)
PeterTowson said: Suicide Diaries Open Mic Please add to list of open mics. Suicide Diaries Open mic for short stories, storytelling and tales. Writers have eight minutes to read an original story they have written. Each reader will receive a cd recording of their reading. Not for poetry, slam, stand-up, memorized boredom. Thursday 9:00p.m. October 13. The Store 2002 N. Halsted 773-327-7766
| Rate this: |
|
Castelaz draws honors for Pablove efforts Nov. 27, 2009 Former Milwaukeean Jeff Castelaz is ABC's Person of the Week. |
|
Summerfest to alter beer operation for 2010 Nov. 24, 2009 Major Goolsby's will no longer run the beer operation at the Summerfest grounds. Sources ... |
|
Nov. 21, 2009 Mason Jennings made a stop Friday night at Turner Hall Ballroom. |
|
Nov. 20, 2009 For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer John Fogerty, the world of music -- whether it be ... |
|
The Milwaukee Holiday Parade steps off Saturday Nov. 19, 2009 The Milwaukee Holiday Parade -- now in its 83rd year -- begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, ... |
| Top Clicks | Top Searches | Most Talkbacks |