In October 2010, local poet Caleb Beissert began hosting Poetry Open Mic Asheville at what was then Vanuatu Kava Bar on South Lexington. \u201cWhen I first moved to Asheville, I was looking for places to read and hear poetry, and, finding a serious lack of them, I started turning up (at) open mics.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the Kava Bar changed its name to Noble Kava and moved to Eagle Street in 2011, the event moved with it. This past December, Noble Kava moved from Eagle Street, and the open mic relocated to The Altamont Theatre.<\/p>\n
While it continues to be sponsored by Noble Kava, Poetry Open Mic Asheville takes place each Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m. Performer sign-up for five- and ten-minute slots starts at 7:45 p.m.<\/p>\n
As one of the most popular literary events in town, this event has created a special space for performers to share their work. \u201cThe focus is on poetry,\u201d says Caleb. \u201cWe also welcome anyone who wants to get up and share something, whether it be poetry, music, comedy, storytelling, dramatic monologue, slam, interpretive dance, etc. as long as it isn\u2019t hateful.\u201d<\/p>\n
He adds, \u201cI love that we get a lot of professional performers who use open mics as a great way to practice new material. Or, you can get people on stage for the very first time, and that can be a huge moment in someone\u2019s life. There\u2019s also all kinds of hard-to-classify art that turns up, from dance to storytelling, rants, improv, political protests. I\u2019ve had poets turn up from all over the globe. I even had a real Tuvan throat singer once!\u201d<\/p>\n