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There are only two rules:-The poem you read must have been written by somebody other than you (hence, “Other People's Poems“)
-There is a three-minute limit at the mic
You are not legally required to read a poem. You are invited to come cheer everybody on!
Sign-ups will be available at 5:00pm
Reading begins promptly at 7:00pm
There will be a 15-minute intermission
We are done at 9:15pm
Can't make this one? S'cool! Set your calendar to repeat this event every First Friday—forever and ever.
LOGISTICS:
-There are 20 slots that guarantee you a spot in the lineup. If the slots are full by the time you get there, you can put your name on a little piece of paper and put it in the Wild Card vase. After the 20 slots have finished, we'll pick names at random from the vase until our HARD STOP at 9:15pm!
-Poems may be read from a page, a screen, or from memory
If you have your poem memorized, you win a LOOFAH!
-Please only read one poem. Save the other one for next time!
We love to hear why you chose this poem, or any other context you think is relevant. But you don’t have to!
-Please stay within three minutes at the mic, including whatever you'd like to say before reading the poem. Be respectful of this time limit, since we want to get to as many people as possible before we end at 9:15pm.
-Poems come in all shapes and sizes! We often hear lyrics (spoken or sung a cappella), mantras, and prayers. If it feels like poetry, then it is!
However you feel coming into this experience, I promise you’ll feel even better when you leave. The many people who come regularly are varied in terms of age, gender, background, and comfort levels in public speaking… but they are all full of deep love and good cheer (and a little delightful irreverence).
Life-long friendships (and marriages!) have blossomed from meeting at OPP, which makes sense! Having a love of poetry, expression, and humanity in common is a natural way to connect. And if nothing else, you'll feel a sense of solidarity and fun with your fellow humans for a few hours every month!
Another natural byproduct of coming is that you'll be thinking about poetry more often, which, as we all know, is so, so good for the soul (and the world).
Hartford Flavor Company rocks. Park in the back.
Thank you so much, my friends! 💛
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
30 Arbor St, Hartford, CT, United States, Connecticut 06106
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
