Open Mic
Weekly  |  Poetry

Caff Lena has a long history of providing a stage for new performers who go on to become some of the nation's best-loved artists. We're also famed for providing a stage to lots of talented folks who never become famous, but who keep the arts alive and growing for all to enjoy. Open Mic is an important part of this tradition. We currently offer two open mic programs:

Weekly Open Mic
Takes place every Thursday. This open mic is for all styles of music and spoken word performance, including poetry, comedy, and storytelling. Most of what you'll hear is original songs on acoustic instruments, but we warmly welcome whatever you have to offer.

Performer registration is from 7 to 7:25 PM. Performances start at 7:30. No advance registration by phone is permitted. If you can't come in time for registration the host may be able to add you to the end of the roster. If you don't get the timeslot you want you may be able to swap with someone else. No special preference is given to kids, pros, or to those traveling long distances. That would open up a big can of worms!

Participants play two songs or speak for 10 minutes. Under all but the most extreme circumstances we do not limit the number of performers.

The host draws names at 7:30. The first person drawn gets first choice of timeslot, second gets second choice, etc.

There is no featured performer at Weekly Open Mic.

Excessive profanity and vulgarity are strongly discouraged. It is up to the discretion of the host to determine if a performance is inappropriate for Caff Lena. Please bear in mind that Caff Lena is not a bar and often has children in the audience.

Our hosts are:
Ray Pashoukos - First Thursday
Willie Moak - Second Thursday
James Frederick- Third Thursday
Kate Blain - Fourth Thursday
Gary Moon - Fifth Thursday

The Open Mic manager and soundman is Willie The Moak.

Visit Flckr to see some of Ray Pashoukos' open mic photos.
See some more Open Mic photos here.

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Poetry Open Mic
Takes place on the first Wednesday of every month.
      Sign up starts at 7. Readings start at 7:30. Each poet reads two short poems (less than one page) or one longer poem.
      There is a featured reader each month who reads for approximately 20 minutes. Featured readers are booked by host Carol Graser. See our performance schedule for listings of past featured readers.
      All styles of poetry are welcome, although as with all Caff Lena events we request that performers refrain from excessive profanity or vulgarity. Enforcement is up to the discretion of the host.