The Clearwater Writers Meetup Group gathers at the home of its organizer in Belleair on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 7 p.m. Discuss publishing trends, blogs and websites of interest to writers, and receive constructive criticism of your work.
Straight Up Poetry presents poetry from Dichotomy, Dennis Amadeus and RAin Christi Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Ybor City Jazz House. The evening is hosted by Li Fe Malcolm and features music by The Blend King and DJ I Am. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online.
Share your poetry, stories and songs at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church’s bi-monthly Poetry & Open Mic Night, Wednesday, Aug. 27. The evening kicks off with a potluck at 6:30 p.m. So get there early to sign in and snack; readings and performances begin promptly at 7 p.m. The church is located at 3747 34th St. S, St. Pete. Call (727) 452-2369 for more information.
Felicitous Coffee & Tea House hosts its monthly outdoor Open Mic for poets, spoken word artists, artists and musicians Wednesday, Aug. 27, 7 to 10 p.m. Sign-up begins at 7 p.m.; readings and performances begin at 7:30 p.m. The open mic will be moved indoors for inclement weather. Felicitous is located at 11706 N. 51st St., Tampa.
The Tampa Writers Critique Alliance next meets on Wed., Aug. 27, 7 p.m., at the Barnes & Noble in Carrollwood. Visitors are welcome, but only members’ works will be discussed, about five pieces per session. Works critiqued are submitted two weeks in advance. If you’re interested in attending, contact the group for copies of the submitted pieces if possible, though it’s not required to attend. The Tampa Writers Alliance Poetry Group meets the next day, Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m., at the same Barnes & Noble.
Wordier Than Thou brings its Storytelling and Prose Open Mic to Sarasota Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center! Come share your finest prose, or if you’re just in the mood for listening, catch some tales from our area’s talented wordsmiths. This month’s featured readers are Elizabeth Sims and Lynn Waddell. Suggested $5 donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Readings begin at 7 p.m.
Inkwood Books’Super Official Book Club meets for the second time on Thursday, Aug. 28, 7 p.m. August’s book is Karen Joy Fowler’s We Are Completely Beside Ourselves, which was recently longlisted for the 2014 Man Booker Prize. Everyone is welcome. The book must be purchased from Inkwood to participate.
The Poets at USF are back! Join them for Occupy the Amp, Thursday, Aug. 28, at the USF Marshall Student Center for USF’s Week of Welcome. Sacred Sounds Tampa’s Slam Poetry Team — Poet Tampa a.k.a De tyme Tolliver, Kali a.k.a Liz Prisley, Dennis Amadeus, Curtis Davis and Slam Anderson — will warm up the stage at 8:45 p.m. They’ll be followed by an open mic, which will be limited to the first 20 people to sign up. To sign-up, email The Poets. This free event is open to everyone — both USF students and non-students.
Heard ‘Em Say, Tampa’s only all-teen poetry night, will hold its next open mic, a back-to-school extravaganza, Friday, Aug. 29 at Tampa’s Taproot Community Cultural Center. This free event kicks off at 8 p.m. Call Walter “Wally B” Jennings at (813) 833-4186 for more information.
Dream big and start writing! Keith Johnson, an expert on Christian leadership and confidence building, hosts a two-day conference at the Tampa Westshore Marriott Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30. He’ll help you make your dreams of writing a book and becoming a best-selling author come true. Cost is $397 for a singles ticket and $497 for a couple.
The inaugural Tampa Bay Theatre Festival will host an Open Mic Night Saturday, Aug. 30, 9:45 p.m. to midnight, at Stageworks Theatre in Tampa. Presented by Andresia Realshtz Poet and Berchaun Clarke, this event is open to performers of all kinds — spoken word poets, singers, comedians and more. This event is free and open to the public. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Sign up ahead of time here.
The monthly Black on Black Rhyme poetry slam will take place Sunday, Aug. 31, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m., at Alex Haitian Cuisine in Tampa. Cover is $7 and free before 8 p.m. if you wear your Black on Black Rhyme T-shirt.