It’s an all-genre open mic extravaganza!
Celebrate the newest issue of SHIFT, MTSU Write’s literary magazine—or share some writing of your own—with MTSU Write, Poetry in the Boro, and the Rutherford Arts Alliance on Thursday evening, March 28. Doors open for mingling and refreshments at 5:30 PM. We’ll hear SHIFT contributors read their work beginning at 6:00, then have our open mic following that.
Because SHIFT’s theme this issue is identity, and the journal includes poetry and prose, we’re mixing it up for open mic with a special welcome and challenge:
We welcome any genre for this special open mic: poetry, prose, song, comedy, a play excerpt, oral storytelling, spoken word, whatever.
Our challenge to you is this: think about your identity as a writer (poet, novelist, essayist, etc.) and share something from a different genre! In other words, do what scares you. We’ll be sure to cheer and support you–but of course it’s also fine if you stick with poetry.
More about the open mic
The open mic limit is 4 minutes. Reading favorite work by another writer is fine, too. Sign up for the open mic on site.
We ask that readers be prepared to keep their pieces “PG-13” depending on our venue and audience, which sometimes includes younger people.
About the venue
We’ll be gathering at the Oaklands Mansion Event Center, 900 N. Maney Ave. in downtown Murfreesboro. As you approach the mansion, the event center and its parking is to the left.
SHIFT contributors: You should have an email asking if you’d like to sign up to read.
Challenge words
If you’d like, write a piece that includes one, some, or all of these words chosen by our audience last month:
fire | scan | ignite | augment | accentuate | plethora | gallows | dismiss | eradicate | Goliath | Norway
Admission is free; donations are appreciated
A DONATION of $5 is appreciated to help us offset our costs. You can donate using PayPal at paypal.me/poetryintheboro. We also accept donations by cash and Venmo on site.
About the presenting partners
SHIFT is a publication of MTSU Write that publishes poetry and prose by writers from across the nation and beyond. Learn more at shift-write.com.
MTSU Write is a community-facing program that offers one-on-one mentorships to writers of all experience levels. The program also offers an annual conference, Saturday workshops, and more. Learn more at mtsu.edu/write/
Poetry in the Boro is a monthly featured reading and open mic series that brings poetry to the community and offers a welcoming environment place for all of our community’s creative, unique voices. poetryintheboro.org
The Rutherford Arts Alliance connects creatives and community across our county through advocacy, promotions, partnerships, events, and more. Learn more and join at rutherfordartsalliance.org