Find Spoken Word in Tampa Bay

The term open mic has been around for decades. It is the catch term for anyplace that allows anyone they want to step up tot he mic and do what they feel. This open mic can be music, comedy, a general ranting, or poetry. Open mic and spoken word has been the poet's main stay and is the number one way for poets to get their poetry and voice out there. There are many that believe that the open mic poetry has gone, but it is alive and well through out the United States. In the Tampa Bay area there are many places that you can step up to an open mic and perform your poetry in any fashion you want.

If you're a person who can write family friendly poetry and want a bunch of families to listen to your poetry The H.O.P.E Learning Center is the place for you. The learning center is at 2902 E. Lake Ave in Tampa, FL. This is a gathering of poets and story tellers from around the bay that focuses on a brand of poetry that is welcome by all ears. The mic is open to poets from all ages. So if your 9 year old just found out about poetry and thinks it's their time debut their talent, this is the place to come. Because this is a family friendly place, please exclude all profanity and questionable subjects.

The Bula Cafe on 2500 Fifth Ave north in St. Petersburg, FL has been opening their stage for years. Whether you want to scream out some poetry, perform a love ballad, or try out your latest comedic talents they want you there. The cafe is hoping, and all you need to do is to sign up and get up there. When you get off stage, no matter if there is a roar of excitement of your stuff, or if you can hear crickets; everyone who comes off stage gets a free drink for the effort. In essence, every performer wins a prize.

The Sacred Ground Coffeehouse has been letting poets speak their mind fro years. This is a spot that was once a gathering place for poets, and then it waned. Now it is up and running and in full force. Show up at 4819 E. Busch Blvd in Tampa on Mondays as early as you can. The list gets longer and longer every Monday,and if you're not on the list by the time 9pm rolls around, you're going to have to wait till next week. The great thing about Sacred Grounds is that the coffee is star quality, and the whole place is filled with poets.

If you're ever in downtown Clearwater on he third Sunday of the month, you have to stop by The Pangea Cafe and International Market. The exact address of the cafe is 34 N. Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL. At 5:30, the cafe comes alive with spoken word accompanied by great food, great fun, and awesome poetry. The event is hosted by Elyse Van Breeman and promises to be a great time and great evening out with some great poets.

Whether you're a amateur poet trying to get your feet wet, or an experienced poet with a lot of chap books under your belt the cafes and shops that offer open mic give you the opportunity to bring your poetry to a lot of people open to a new experience. If you thought open mic was dead? You are dead wrong. The next time you're in the Tampa bay, stop by. We'd love to hear what you got.