About

Open mic is for poets of all experience levels to read their work to an appreciative audience.

This is a great opportunity to reach new readers and meet people who love words as much as you do. It takes courage to share your work with others. Be brave!

Details

• Open to the public, and everyone is welcome.
• No need to register in advance.
• Signup for the open mic will start at 6:45 pm at BARN. Poets will be asked to keep their readings to four minutes or less.

Seattle poet Susan Rich has authored seven books including: "Gallery of Postcards and Maps: New and Selected Poems," as well as "Cloud Pharmacy, The Alchemist's Kitchen, Cures Include Travel," and "The Cartographer's Tongue." Her poetry has earned awards from the Fulbright Foundation, PEN America, and the Times Literary Supplement. She has earned awards from Artist Trust, Seattle Office of Art and Culture, and 4Culture. Susan's poems have appeared in the Harvard Review, New England Review, and Poetry Ireland Review, among other places. Along with Kelli Russell Agodon, she is co-editor of "Demystifying the Manuscript: Creating a Book of Poems." Her next book, "Blue Atlas," is forthcoming from Red Hen Press in 2024. Susan teaches creative writing and film studies at Highline College and directs Poets on the Coast: A Writing Retreat for Women in La Conner, Wash. You can visit her online at http://poetsusanrich.com.

• Host: Michele Bombardier, Bainbridge Island Poet Laureate 

Michele Bombardier is Bainbridge Island’s first poet laureate. She is author of "What We Do," a Washington Book Award finalist; has published more than 100 poems and reviews; holds an MFA in poetry; and is the founder of Fishplate Poetry, offering retreats and workshops.

This free event is sponsored by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge, the city of Bainbridge Island, Bloedel Reserve, and BARN. Join us every third Thursday for featured and open mic readings.

This event will be in BARN's Great Room on the main level.

Class Policies

• Ages 14 and up are welcome. 

• View BARN’s current COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

• BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition assistance is available. Fill out the application before registering.

• For those who might need physical assistance, learn more about our Companion Program.