What Not To Do at an Open Mic and Why

Open mic poetry readings are meant to showcase a wide range of talent and styles of poetry. Most have some rules and guidelines, and these are available ahead of time. Our open mic on August 22 at PJs Coffee (7:30-10:00pm) on the historic square in El Dorado, Arkansas is just such an event. We're calling it "Espresso Yourself!". Here are a few general points to help you be successful at the open mic.


1. Don't be an air raid siren. In other words, if the microphone is on a stand, don't move your head back and forth when reciting or reading, occasionally talking directly into the mic. If you are a constant head mover, hold the mic and keep it near your mouth. Everyone wants to hear you.


2. Don't tell your poem's life story from inspiration to 33rd draft before reading it. For one thing, it will lose your audience. For another, it will use ALL your time slot, and they will not hear your poem. Our time limit is officially 4 minutes a read, and I'll give a LITTLE leeway unless it is abused. 5 minutes at the mic is grounds for unplugging. If your poem is short, consider reading 2, as long as you can still remain within the time limit. This shows you have respect for the others waiting their turn and the hosts.


3. Don't stumble and stutter and ask to start over. Know your poems well enough to make a clean read the first time. This requires a little practice AHEAD of time, preferably while timing yourself.
A small mistake when reading is no great crime. Even the best do it now and then.


4. Don't be distracting to other readers when you are in the audience. This means set your cell phone to vibrate or stun or tickle. This also means don't be talking loudly during their readings. You ALWAYS have permission and are even ENCOURAGED to get up quietly and go to the counter and order food or drink from the great folks at PJS.


5. Don't be afraid to express yourself. See your poem. Be your poem. Give it all you've got, Scottie! The only person who can perform YOUR poem the way YOU mean it to be performed is YOU.




Guidelines and suggestions are available at PJs, Barton Library, and on the South Arkansas Poets of the Pines Facebook page. Please take time to read them before the show.




As a special treat, I am planning a surprise guest performance at 7:30pm before the reading, so show up early and stay late. As soon as I get confirmation, I'll release the identity of our special musical guest.


Live. Love. Laugh. Write (and read) Poetry.