PORT ANGELES — Poetry about rage, triumph, reflections and road maps is wanted.
Hate won’t be permitted.
Those are the ground rules for an open mic Queens of the Vote Age Poetry Jam at Studio Bob at 118½ E. Front St. (upstairs) tonight.
Doors will open at 7 p.m. when participants can sign up for a time to read or recite their poems.
The open mic will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is free with donations taken to cover the cost of the event.
Poetry recitation times will be limited to three minutes.
If more than nine people sign up, there will be eliminations in the first round.
If nine or less sign up, everyone will have the opportunity to share two poems each.
Poets of all skill sets are encouraged to come and share their craft. All are welcome, including LGBTQ+ and people of color.
“Sing praises to progress and shout how much farther we still have to go,” said Richard Stephens, organizer.
“All ages, all identities, all topics welcome but hate will not be allowed.”
The host of the event will be Stephens’ daughter, poet Ciandi Thursday, who is an English teacher in Federal Way.
This year marks the centennial of women in the United States getting the right to vote, so “the overarching theme of this evening’s event is to celebrate American women, the historic struggles they have had and continue to face,” Stephens said.
“We have many talented poets on the Peninsula … we don’t have an ongoing tradition” for audiences to hear poetry, he added.
He urged all local poets to participate.
“Bring your poetry, sign up for a slot and share your craft with enthusiastic locals,” he continued.
“If you don’t have poetry to share, come down and cheer for our local wordsmiths as they speak their truth as eloquently and honestly as they can.”
