The NWU Open Mic at the Manhattan-based Muhlenberg New York Public Library ended 2019 with a resounding KA-BOOM! Over 30 writers, poets, rappers, singers, and instrumentalists enjoyed hot coffee, creamy pastries, and warm camaraderie. The NWU has continuously run this monthly open mic at the NYPL since 2013.
As NY Steering Committee member and national trustee, I currently serve as the main organizer, but other NWU members have recently been invited to guest host, including Yusef Salaam, Frank Hickey, and Irvin Schonfeld.
This series is unique because it welcomes all writers, not just poets. Also, attendees are encouraged to share announcements about upcoming events and free resources for authors. The NWU offers one-on-one sessions before the open mic to provide advice for protecting and promoting written works as well as explain all the ways the NWU defends writers. One author posted last month on her Facebook page that she found our gathering very supportive.
If you’re planning a visit to NYC, come join us. The NWU Open Mic runs most first Saturdays of every month from 2 PM to 4:30 PM at the NYPL Muhlenberg branch at 209 West 23rd Street. You may even meet up with NWU Philadelphia Chair Irving Jones who travels by train to read quite regularly. No advance registration is needed. Check the events page on NWU’s Facebook for all future dates.