For two hours, audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices, and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, musicians and a different host every week. Expect to be moved, expect a packed house, expect the unexpected, but above all come with an open mind and ear.

February—a month of history and heritage, of celebrating the creative resilience of the African Diaspora, a month of going back to roots, of loving self and others, of the return of poetic legends. 

Let's come together in a poetry/spoken word open mic of justice, conscious thought, spirituality, fam, real life—whatever advances the village! In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s “Mother Earth” magazine, come drop some rad “fiyah” on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy! By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-“Love Jones” type of evening, so we ask that you not go there. (And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!)

Returning to the Baltimore mic is none other than LOVE the poet! Michelle Antoinette Nelson, also known as LOVE the poet, is a versatile career creative with a passion for storytelling, performance, and fashion. As a poet, host, custom hat maker, and author, she has made significant contributions to national and international art scenes.

Michelle has previously appeared on CNN, authored the books BLACK MARKS ON WHITE PAPER and OWN YOUR CAPACITY: H.E.A.L.T.H. IS POWER, and received the GBCA Baker Artist B-grant award. She has received the 2016 "Baltimore Legend" Crown award, has released multiple spoken word CDs and has performed at prestigious venues like the Orpheum Theatre, the Smithsonian, and university campuses nationwide.

Michelle is renowned for her dynamic stage presence, having starred in her one-woman play God's Country, having been a producer, host, and performer for the Punany Poets, and having founded the BE FREE Fridays open mic series. Her commitment to fostering creativity is evident in her current work as a professor of hat making at Maryland Institute College of Art, as an Urban Arts Leadership Program Fellow, and as the creator of “Live Lyrics!” creative writing workshops. She has also served as an MC for Red Bull Amaphiko, Summit, The Outside Festival, Gold Dust, The Medicine Show, and The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival, where she also serves on the National Executive Board of Directors.

Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, author, rad minister and bookseller, educator, justice & human rights person… Y’all know what’s up!

open_in_newhttps://www.liberationandpoetry.com

CashApp to support the artists:

The mic list will be ready for you at Emma’s so you can get on the mic and share something with us! Additionally, we will pass the bucket—physically and electronically—to give something to our featured poet and to help build for the future. Please support independent artists!

The evening is brought to you by Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, a worker-owned and collectively operated restaurant, bookstore, and community events space in the Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland that is dedicated to putting principles of solidarity and sustainability into practice in a democratic workplace!

open_in_newhttp://redemmas.org 

open_in_newhttps://www.facebook.com/redemmas  

@redemmas

Remember: PEACE, JUSTICE, POETRY!  Will we see you there?

THERE’S NO SHUTDOWN OF POETRY. So let’s rock!

Let's come together in a poetry/spoken word open mic of justice, conscious thought, spirituality, fam, real life—whatever advances the village! In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s “Mother Earth” magazine, come drop some rad “fiyah” on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy! By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-“Love Jones” type of evening, so we ask that you not go there. (And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!)

Featuring this month is Robert Owens!  Robert is dedicated to using his words for change: politics, family, the future.  Host of a weekly poetry writing workshop in Richmond, Virginia, under the banner of CommonWealth Poetry, he establishes an environment for creatives to explore themselves and the world around them, within all forms of poetry.  Robert believes in poetry as catharsis and as a vehicle to become who our neighbors need us to be.

A Morning of Analysis: Poetry & Justice
Analysis
Poet, Worker/Co-owner of Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse

This platform will be delivered in hybrid format, which means you can attend the platform via Zoom or in person at the Impact Hub Baltimore. Masks are optional.

Join the poet known as Analysis as he performs spoken word that explores a variety of justice and human rights topics, examining racism, economic exploitation, imperialism, and more. His poetry will challenge us to face the oppression in society and ask ourselves, “What will we do about it?”

Living the poetic boldness with us will be Mick (Micki) Topham! Mick (she/her) is a spoken word artist from Utah who’s competed in countless poetry events, slams, and competitions including the 2022 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. She has taught poetry workshops and performed throughout the DMV, including featuring at a 2025 World Pride event in Washington, DC. Her work has been published in the Mid-Atlantic Review, and she was a finalist in the DC Poet Project, a citywide competition uplifting local poets. You can find her most weeks at two or three open mics, passionately snapping for the incredible poets and performers across the DMV. This is her first ever feature in Baltimore!

Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, author, rad minister and bookseller, educator, justice & human rights person… Y’all know what’s up!

Now, as much as ever, it’s time for all artists of all genres to use our skills in the service of the Struggle! We will gather again to strengthen each other through one of those genres, poetry, that we may move forward while in the midst of the current dystopia.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2024, 6PM

RED EMMA'S BOOKSTORE COFFEEHOUSE

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Hosted by:

Analysis and featuring Drew Anderson & Dwayne B!

Guest hosted by:

Simply Sherri and featuring Analysis!

Featuring poetry by:

KaNikki J, Simply Sherri, 13 of Nazareth, and Analysis!

Registration required: 

Black Voices Through Poetry—a Black History Month open mic hosted by Brenda Bunting, and featuring

Analysis and Ian Sydney March

Online: Friday, February 16, 2024, 7pm-8:30pm EST [UTC-5]

Brought to you by the Silver Spring Town Center

To RSVP for Zoom link: lisa@silverspringtowncenter.com

More info: https://fb.me/e/3pXDMFNAZ