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WAYE: A Poetry Reading Series returns for its first reading of 2026, and we have Munsif Husami taking our humble stage as featured poet!OUR FEATURE
Munsif Husami is a first-generation Indian-American who writes about identity, mental health, love, and culture. He has been featured on the PBS documentary VOICES IN THE GARDEN Voices in The Garden – A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM in 2025, and has performed at venues like SOB’s, Rutgers University, the Paterson Poetry Festival, and the NYC Poetry Festival. With publications in three continents, you can find Munsif’s work in SOUP CAN MAGAZINE, NYU’s AFTAB MAGAZINE, BIG HAMMER 2025, and EPILOGUES. His first chapbook HONEY, I MET THE SHRINK, was published in 2023 by Two Key Customs. Munsif is currently working on his second book and a trilingual collection of diaspora poetry.
FOR THE OPEN
Sign-up for our open mic sessions begins at 7:30 PM. Once you arrive at Sure Things (561 Palisade Avenue), please print your name on the list, which has an initial cap of 15 poets who will each poet will have 5 minutes to showcase their work. (Basically, one to three pieces of short to moderate length, including any prep, prologues, and plugs.) IF THE LIST IS FULL, we'll bump the cap to 20 so more poets can be heard; in that case, each poet will recite one poem to ensure we are be done by 10 PM. (It is a school night, after all.)
Again, be sure to arrive at 7:30 PM to secure a spot on the list, since it does fill up quickly; and please keep in mind that the list will be set out no earlier than 7:30.
Also, this is a poetry reading series and open mic, which means spoken word, slam, performance poetry, short prose pieces, and similar forms of poetic expression are welcome. As much as we love music, musical accompaniment, and comedy, this is not the venue for these forms of expression.
SOME QUICK SHOPKEEPING
First, the shop is small and seating is limited. If you want/need a seat, please arrive early to claim one; otherwise, it's standing room only.
Second, there's a $5 CASH ONLY cover, 100% of which goes directly to our feature. Again, this is CASH ONLY; no Venmo, Cash App, Zelle or other forms of electronic payment will be accepted at the door, so please bring some paper money with you.
As always, We Appreciate Your Enthusiasm and look forward to seeing you all on the 28th!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
561 Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307-1124, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
