***2020-2022 Note: Obviously, everything on this page is in flux right now because of the pandemic. I'll leave this page upward, but please keep that in mind. You may have to do some cyberspace searching to make sure any outcome listed hither is still happening, and/or happening in some other infinite or format. Also, be sure to bank check out my new spoken word resources hub.***

Things are always changing, events come up and go, but here'south an introduction to the spoken discussion and slam poetry scene in the Twin Cities. This is not a comprehensive listing, just a starting point.Exist sure to check out the individual websites, as some dates, times and locations are subject to alter. Dive in! I wrote up a more bones guide to getting involved hither too.

Re-Verb Open Mic (all ages)
Organized and hosted by TruArtSpeaks, this open mic is intimate and supportive, with optional feedback from the audition. In that location's also a writing workshop every first Thursday of the month. Link.

The Be Heard MN Youth Poetry Slam Series (teens)
This is a series of slams and workshops working toward an end goal of selecting a team to represent Minnesota at the annual Brave New Voices international youth poesy slam festival. It takes place every January through March, and as well features the Flip the Script! youth writing and performance conference every February. Exist certain to check out the TruArtSpeaks site for more information.

Button Poetry LIVE
Formerly known equally the dwelling slam of the two-fourth dimension National Verse Slam champion Soap Boxing team, this event is now a poetry slam with a loftier-profile feature organized by Button Poesy. Button besides organizes not-slam readings featuring touring artists regularly. FB page.

The Free Black Table
The Free Blackness Table is a gratis of charge, all ages open up mic, dedicated to the writings of black artists and people of color. Information technology isn't on a specific schedule, but happens adequately regularly. Check out Black Tabular array Arts for more than, including a writing group calledBlack Lines Affair.

Urban Lights
Urban Lights is a record store, just occasionally has open mics too. Link.

Poets and Pints
Long-running poesy reading due west/ featured performers and an open mic. Link.

 Equilibrium at the Loft Literary Middle
This isn't an open mic, but it'south one of the best ongoing spoken-word series in the Twin Cities. EQ highlights spoken word artists of color. Link.

Loft Literary Heart Writing Groups and Classes
Lots to explore here, especially for people looking to build community. Link.

Camp Bar Open Mic
"Open up Mic night at the Camp Bar in downtown Saint Paul Minnesota! Come join united states nearly Monday nights around 9:30pm and listen, laugh and learn!" FB page.

Fifth Element Hip Hop Open Mic
This open mic caters to Hip Hop artists; cheque the schedule here.

College Slams and Open Mics
Hamline, Macalester, the U of MN, MCTC and Carleton all have (or had) regular slams or open up mics that are large and fun. Other colleges and universities in town probably do as well. I linked to the ones I could find, only a quick google or Facebook search should turn something upwards for your school. And usually, you lot don't have to be a educatee to watch the show or fifty-fifty sign upwardly to perform.

Story Gild Minneapolis
"The premiere open mic for true personal stories in Minneapolis… The Story Club phase showcases true personal stories similar The Moth does, simply without judges, scores or competition." Observe dates/times/locations here.

Balls Cabaret
BALLS is an experimental cabaret open to artists of any and all disciplines at whatsoever and all levels of experience; every Sat night at midnight at the Southern Theater. Link.

Eclectica (and other Avant Garde events)
Final I updated this list, this was a new open up mic presented past The Avant Garde at Reverie Cafe & Bar. That arrangement, though, does a bunch of open up mic-style events. Bank check out their site for more.

Slam MN Poetry Slam
Looks like Slam MN is dorsum! Check out Word Sprout for the umbrella organisation that runs other shows too.

Well-Placed Commas: A Weekly Poetry Workshop
Sundays, 12-2pm; More information here.

OUTspoken Queer Open Mic
"OUTspoken! is the Twin Cities' queer open mic. We empower queer voices and identities by building community through artistic expression. All are welcome!" via Give-and-take Sprout.

The New Sh!T Show Minneapolis
Started in San Francisco by poets Sam Sax and Nic Alea, the New Sh!t Show is now a chain of performance series across the United States in which performers and audience members are treated to something they've never seen before — the new shit. Performers from all walks of art debut make new material meant to encourage creativity and liven word most the Twin Cities performance scene. Via Word Sprout.

Story Slam
This is a slam-manner show for storytellers, featuring unlike story topics each calendar month. Via Give-and-take Sprout.

Freedom of Xpression Open Mic
Emerging artists of all ages are invited to take office in the Capri Theater's monthly Freedom of Xpression open mic sessions. Performing artists in all genres, including music, spoken word/poetry, and dance are welcome. Website link (may not be running right now).

Give-and-take of Mouth Open Mic
Happening Jan-April 2018 and potentially beyond. Switches between the Rice Street Library and In Progress, both in Saint Paul. Link (may not be running right at present).

Other events and organizations y'all should know well-nigh:

TruArtSpeaks: cultivates literacy, leadership, and social justice through the study and application of Spoken Word and Hip Hop culture. Hosts the Be Heard slams, ReVerb open mic, and more (FB link).

Push Poetry: the biggest online platform for spoken word poetry, as well as a publishing press; they regularly host events in the Twin Cities (FB link + Push button Poetry Live for live shows).

Strike Theater: has open up mics and a range of theater and spoken discussion events.

Word Sprout: an organization that organizes lots of spoken-give-and-take and storytelling events.

League of MN Poets: organizes contests, readings, retreats, and more.

Kulture Klub Collaborative: "Engaging art and artistic practice to provide enriching multidisciplinary opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness." Regularly hosts open up mics. Link.

The Loft Literary Center hosts events, workshops, classes, and more (FB link).

Black Tabular array Arts organizes a range of events, open mics, workshops, and more (FB link).

The Asian American Literary Collective's mission is "to create a community of Asian American writers to acquire about our commonage past, to explore our identity in the Asian diaspora, and to support our literary pursuits moving forrad."

Poetry Asylum: new! "dedicated to poetry and refuge and freedom. run by poets su hwang and lord's day yung shin. based in minneapolis."

err "is an artist collective that features emerging artists at their monthly events in the proper noun of fine art, customs, and collaboration."

Cracked Walnut "organizes readings in traditional and non tradition spaces in the Twin Cities Metro Area to procure a beloved for live literature, community and creativity (FB link)."

The Rockstar Storytellers andNorthstar Storytellers put on storytelling shows and competitions.

Palabristas: "Originally a Minnesota-based collective of poets, spoken give-and-take artists, writers of chican@/latin@ heritage– members of the Palabristas at present live in Minnesota."

Speakers of the Sunday: "a collective of Asian American activists and spoken word artists in the Twin Cities focused on cultivating artistic vocalisation and providing a space for growth."

There'due south also the MN Spoken Word Clan, the Centre for Hmong Arts and Talent, Intermedia Arts, the Saint Paul Almanac, the Canvas, SteppingStone Theater, the Fallout Urban Arts Eye, and many other spaces and organizations that host open up mics. This list is simply a starting indicate!