SPECTRA: LOCAL LOVERS OPEN MIC

The SPECTRA Reading Series, returns with an all local, all lovers open mic event.

By local, we mean anyone in or around the greater Quad City area on Feb. 22nd who has an original poem, song, story, soliloquy, bit, rant, performance art piece, etc. they are willing/burning to share with the one(s) they love & a loving audience.

By lovers, we mean humans with any relationship to the idea/experience/emotion/harness that might be defined as “love,” even if that relationship is more love/hate. Have something poetic you want to share with your special lady? Want to sing a song about your love for your line-walking man? Have a hilarious &/or terrible Valentine’s Day story about love gone wrong? Songs about your forlorn love? Then we have a stage & a microphone & a welcoming audience ready to embrace anyone with the courage get up & testify their love (or lack thereof).

This year, MWC’s Poet-in-Residence Aubrey Barnes has a submission call for the Community Poetry Blog which coincides with Local Lovers called “Nice Try, Lifetime.” Here’s a link to the complete submission call: https://communitypoetry2017.blogspot.com/2018/01/nice-try-lifetime-call-and-response-for.html

The show will be free & open to the public—come with the one you love, or come ready to love the one you’re with. As a special feature of the event, there will also be a team of terrific local poets and writers on hand to write priceless love poems/fragments/flash stories/etc. on the spot, which can be purchased on a pay-what-you-believe-the work-to-be-worth basis—in case you want/need assistance expressing your love for that special someone/secretly admired, or if you just want to give the everlasting gift of a one-of-a-kind original poem or story.

If you would like to let us know you’re planning on attending, feel free to send us an email at [email protected]. If you’re more spontaneous, not to worry—there will be a sign-up sheet at the event, and performers will be summoned on a first come, first serve basis. Please note that all performers will be limited to one (1) poem/song/story/etc. & no more than 5 minutes of stage time per performance.

Please contact Ryan Collins at the Midwest Writing Center for more information about SPECTRA or any other MWC programs: (309) 732-7330 | [email protected].

The Spring 2018 season of SPECTRA manifests thanks to the generous support of Regional Development Authority, Wells Fargo Advisors, Joe Chambers, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.