Within Words We Are One
Dear esteemed poets and community members: You are cordially invited to attend A Decade of Poetic Unity: Celebrating Vallejo’s Poets Laureate July 26th, 2025 2-5 PM Vallejo Museum 734 Marin Street Free event. Donations accepted here:https://gofund.me/19b3ee6a This year marks ten years since the appointment of Vallejo, …
An upcoming anthology from Vallejo Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann San Francisco Bay Area poets are invited to share their perspectives on what they see, feel, and think during these critical times. We welcome poems that explore shadows and light, doubt and certainty, …
Poetry on display at Alameda County Fair from June 13th-July 6th and Marin County Fair from July 2-6
Tue., July 1 – Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not meet in July or August. It will return on September 2nd.
July 4 – 12-3 PM – Happy 4th of July! Fire & Water open mic and poetry showcase in Suisun City. 700 Main Street. Featuring Excalibur, Stephen Sharpe, J Rice, Suzanne Bruce, and more!
Wed., July 9 Meet Your Poetic Cousins & Ancestors, 6-8 p.m., JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo
July 12, 2025 – 2-4 PM – Art of a Community ekphrastic event. Hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe. Deadline to submit poems is July 1st.
Saturday, July 12, 2025 @ 11 AM: Woody Guthrie Poets at Okfuskee County Historical Society, 407 W Broadway St, Okemah, OK, United States, OK 74859 – D.L. Lang among the featured poets.
Sun July 13 – 707 Day – 10am to 1pm at Bambino’s Pizza in downtown Vallejo. It will feature author readings, open mics, games, $7.07 mimosas, and the delicious menu offerings of Bambino’s. For more information visit the Solano Writers Society. Kathleen Herrmann among the featured authors.
Sun., July 13 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne.
July 20 – Benicia First Tuesday Poets Annual Picnic – 12:30 PM to 3 PM at First Street Gazebo. Bring your lunch and favorite drink (no alcohol allowed) and 2-3 pieces of poetry for the open mic about 3 minutes each for 2-3 rounds. Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe will provide cookies and extra water for everyone.
Wed., July 23– Poetry By The Bay, Cancelled.
Wednesday – July 23rd – 6:30 PM D.L. Lang, Mark Lipman, Nina Serrano, David Hakim, and Johanna Ely feature at Alibi Bookshop as part of the Vagabond Poetry Caravan national tour. Open mic follows. 624 Marin Street in Vallejo
Thursday, July 24, 10:30-11:30am: Ozcat Poetry Hour, on Ozcat Radio 89.5FM. Available worldwide via tunein: https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/ Poets are invited to come at 10:15 to read 2 rounds of poetry on live radio, hosted by Tom Stanton and DJ LALA.
Saturday, July 26, 2-5 PM: Vallejo Poet Laureate Anniversary Celebration at Vallejo Museum – 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA More information here. RSVP here.
August 2 – 3-6 PM – Ekphrastic event for Summertime at FSVAA hosted by Suzanne Bruce. Art will be displayed after July 8th for poets to choose a piece to write to.
Tue., August 5 – Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not meet in July or August. It will return on September 2nd.
Sun., August 10 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne.
Wed., August 13 Meet Your Poetic Cousins & Ancestors, 6-8 p.m., JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo
August 23 – 2-3 PM Marin Poetry Center Traveling Show – Berkeley Public Library – South Branch, 1901 Russell St, Berkeley, CA 94703 D.L. Lang among the featured poets.
August 23 – 2-4PM – Juanita Martin and Audrey T. Williams featuring at McCune Room at JFK Library Vallejo
Thursday., August 28– Poetry By The Bay, Moves to 4th Thursdays! 7:30-9:30 p.m., Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Street, hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka GO284.
Thursday, August 28, 10:30-11:30am: Ozcat Poetry Hour, on Ozcat Radio 89.5FM. Available worldwide via tunein: https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/ Poets are invited to come at 10:15 to read 2 rounds of poetry on live radio, hosted by Tom Stanton and DJ LALA.
Poetry Speakeasy at Chris Club meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 PM. 21+ venue that serves alcohol. 656 Benicia Road, Vallejo. Hosted by Remo Valentino.
Open Mic at the Townhouse meets every Wednesday at 8 PM. Poets are welcome. 21+ venue that serves alcohol. Hosted by Rich Adams. 401A Georgia Street, Vallejo.
May 2025 Spoken Word Poetry Events Sunday, May 4, 2-4pm: Tea House Open Mic Poetry at IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin St., Vallejo, hosted by Vallejo Co Poets Laureates Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann (moved from 2nd Sunday due to Mothers’ Day) Tuesday, May 6, 6:15-8:30: First …
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 6:15 – 8:30, FIRST TUESDAY POETS, gathering in the Benicia Library by the main fireplace in the comfy chairs. 150 East L Street in Benicia Sun. Mar. 9 Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate …
Happy New Year! If you are looking for opportunities in the new year to perform your poetry and spoken word at open mics in Vallejo, Fairfield, or Benicia we’ve got you covered. Perform your poetry at open mics in Solano County and connect with a warm, welcoming community of writers.
Let’s look ahead at 2025. Below is a list of dates that our ongoing open mics should be meeting in 2025.
4th Wednesdays – 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo – 7:30 – 9:30 PM
1st Tuesdays – 150 East L Street, Benicia – 6:15 – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe
More about Benicia First Tuesday Poets.
2nd Sundays except December – 717 Marin Street, Vallejo – 2-4 PM
Hosted by Vallejo’s Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
4th Thursdays except November – 1026 Georgia Street, Vallejo – Arrive by 10:15 AM to read on air.
Broadcast at 10:30 AM. Hosted by DJ Lala
More about Art Beat Poetry Hour.
Other venues include the Townhouse open mic and meets every Wednesday at 8 PM and features musicians, but poets are also welcome. Speakeasy Expressions at Chris Club meets on the second Monday at 7 PM. Both of these are only open to adults aged 21+.
If you’re a poet performing at open mics is a great way to hone your skills as a spoken word performer so that you’ll be ready when that featured poet offer comes knocking. Attending open mics is the best way to get to know and network with your local poetry community or maybe even buy a poetry book or three. Whether you’re just passing through Solano County or are a long time resident, we would love to have you get involved.
Whether you’re a poetry aficionado or a seasoned performer, you’re also welcome to just come and listen to a myriad of talented writers read their works for the public. Even if you decide not to perform your poems, we’d also love it if you’d spread the word by sharing this post.
We recommend you join our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay in the loop about other poetry events where you can perform your poetry that may pop up throughout the year.
Open Mics in December Due to winter holidays in the month of December many open mics may not be holding performances. Please confirm details with individual event hosts closer to the date. Tue., Dec. 3 – First Tuesday Poets, Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 6:15 cookies and …
Seeking answers on the role and purpose of poets and poetry in our lives? Delve into the following quotes about poets and poetry for insights.
Sun., Aug. 4 – Poetry Open Mic Picnic, Benicia City Park, 150 Military West, 12:30-2:30p.m.
Sat., Aug. 10- Makers Mart, Barbara Kondylis Waterfront Park, 12-5 PM, hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
Sun., Aug. 11 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street in Vallejo, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
Saturday, August 17th – D.L. Lang and Garrett Murphy feature at 3rd Saturday Poetry in China Town 1-3 PM Clarion SF, 2 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108
Sunday, August 18th – D.L. Lang will read a poem in celebration of Congregation B’nai Israel joining the progressive branch of Reconstructionist Judaism. Guests must RSVP. 12-3 PM. Community open house.
Thur., Aug. 22 – OZCAT Radio Poetry Hour, 10:30-11:30 AM. Arrive at 10:15 AM to sign up to read. 3 minutes per poet per round. Hosted by DJ La La and Tom Stanton. 1026 Georgia in Vallejo.
Sat., Aug. 24 – Voting Matters, Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 2-4 PM, featuring Linda Wright and Mary Susan Gast, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA
Sun August 25th – 12 Rounds: Kyrah Ayers versus the Visitor, a spoken word event supporting appendix cancer research. Mare Island Art Studios. Hosted by D.L. Lang. 12-4PM. 110 Pintado St., Vallejo, CA 94592 Tickets are 5$ and available on Eventbrite
Sun. Aug. 25 – “Peacocks & Poems: A fusion of poetry, art, and music” book celebration: Mangels Vineyards, 4529 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Wed., Aug. 28 – Poetry By The Bay 16th Anniversary Open Mic, Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo, 7-9 p.m., hosted by Keith Thompson
Sat., Aug. 31 – Chalk Art & Poetry for Kids at “A Taste of the Bay” Food Festival, hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann, Waterfront Park, Mare Island Causeway, 11 AM-5 PM
New show in town! Thursday night poetry and jazz at Royalty Lounge 3272 Sonoma Blvd in Vallejo. 8 PM every Thursday.
Tue., Sept. 3 – First Tuesday Poets, Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 6:15 cookies and social time, Open Mic, 6:30-8:30, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA
Sun., Sept. 8 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
Sat., Sept. 14 – Visions of the Wild, Georgia Street, 11-3, Youth Poetry Workshop in the Kids Zone, Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann, and former Poet Laureate D.L. Lang will read at 12:00 noon at Temple Arts Loft, 348 Virginia Street.
September 14 – 7 PM For All anthology launch book party by Revolutionary Poets Brigade at the Beat Museum, 540 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Saturday, September 21st Chalk Walk at JFK Library Vallejo. The fun begins at 11:00 am. Professional artists may join us at 10:00 am. Poetry readings at 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm. Bring your folding chairs and spend the day. Join us on the fountain side of the library for arts and crafts, poetry activities, chalk art, and poetry readings.
Saturday, Sept. 21 - Fairfield Ekphrastic Event at FSVAA Gallery at Solano Town Center 4PM to 6PM. Art viewable online here. Poems due by September 19th. Contact Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce for more details. 350 Travis Blvd, Suite D-8, Fairfield, CA 94533
Sunday, September 22 – Equinox Poetry Party celebrating the equinox at the 717 Integrity Space with live music and a poetry open mic. Sign up for the open mic is at 2 PM. — at 717 Integrity Project. 717 Marin St, Vallejo, CA, United States, California 94590
Wed., Sept. 25 – Poetry By The Bay Open Mic, Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo, 7-9 p.m., hosted by Keith Thompson
Thur., Sept. 26 – OZCAT Radio Poetry Hour, 10:30-11:30 AM. Arrive at 10:15 AM to sign up to read. 3 minutes per poet per round. Hosted by DJ La La and Tom Stanton. 1026 Georgia in Vallejo.
Saturday, September 28, 2-4PM – Unsettled anthology launch by Benicia First Tuesday Poets. Doña Benicia room at the Benicia Library, 150 East L Street.
Sunday, Sept 29, 3 PM – Tony Aldarondo and Nina Serrano feature at Verse on the Vine, followed by open mic. Civic Center Library Storytime Room 1188 S. Livermore Ave. Livermore, California 94550
Tue., Oct. 1 – First Tuesday Poets, Benicia Library, Dona Benicia Room, 6:15 cookies and social time, Open Mic, 6:30-8:30, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA
Sun., Oct. 6 – Verses for Voters, Empress Theatre Lounge, 2-4, hosted by Vallejo Center for the Arts and Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann, Verses for Voters will screen @bravenewfilms film “Suppressed and Sabotaged” at the Empress Lounge on Oct 6. Please bring election and voting rights related poetry to share at the open mic. Patricia Schmidt Hunter of the NAACP will be the featured guest speaker.
October 11th – 5-8:30PM – Open mic hosted by Hakim at 401 Georgia Street during Art Walk
October 11th – 7-9 PM Poetry Talent Show by Solano Pride Center at the Vallejo Museum at 734 Marin Street during Art Walk.
Saturday, October 12, 2024 – 1:00pm – 3:00pm – Feature: David Alpaugh followed by Open Mic, Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky Street, Fairfield, CA. Hosted by Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce
Sun., October 13 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
Wed., October 23rd, 2024 – Poetry By The Bay Open Mic, Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo, 7-9 p.m., hosted by Keith Thompson
Thur., Oct. 24 – OZCAT Radio Poetry Hour, 10:30-11:30 AM. Arrive at 10:15 AM to sign up to read. 3 minutes per poet per round. Hosted by DJ La La and Tom Stanton. 1026 Georgia in Vallejo.
Friday, October 25th – 4:00-7:00pm Fairfield Arts is presenting “Fall into ARTumn” Art, food, drinks, music and poetry. Art will be posted after September 24th. Write a poem to a piece and come perform it at 710 Jackson Street, Fairfield, CA at 5 PM. Hosted by Suzanne Bruce.
Sunday, October 27th – 2 PM – Integrity Poetry Party at 717 Marin Street. Poetry open mic and live music.
Monday, October 28th – Benicia Literary Arts Shut Up and Write at the Benicia Library. 6.30 p. to 8:30 pm on alternate Monday evenings. Edna Clyne Room. Join Benicia Literary Arts and learn more about their programs at http://www.benicialiteraryarts.org
Sunday, November 3 – 11 AM-3 PM – Solano Library Foundation’s Annual Author’s Luncheon Register to attend here. Hosted by Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce. California Poet Laureate Lee Herrick is among the featured authors.
Sunday, November 3 – 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm – Benicia Literary Arts Meet & Greet. Join Benicia Literary Arts for light refreshments and treats from in Room 2 of the Benicia Community Center located at 370 East L Street in Benicia. This will be a fun event to talk about writing, get to know BLA’s Board, what they do, and how they can help local writers and readers. You can register to attend on the Benicia Literary Arts website or on Eventbrite.
November 5 – D.L. Lang is the featured poet on Literary Dialogues with Nina Serrano which airs at 2:30 PM on KPFA 94.1 FM. Listen online here.
Tue., Nov. 5 – First Tuesday Poets, Benicia Library, Fireplace, 6:15 PM cookies and social time, Open Mic, 6:30-8:30, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe, 150 East L Street, Benicia, CA
Friday, Nov 8 at 6 -8:30 pm – Winters LitFest 4 on at the Winters Opera House, 13 Main Street, Winters. Kathleen Herrmann is among the performers.
Saturday, November 9, 2024 – 1:00pm – 3:00pm – Thankful for Poetry – Featured poets Jackie Berger and Lenore Weiss followed by Open Mic – Fairfield Civic Center Library, 1150 Kentucky Street, Fairfield, CA, Hosted by Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce
Sun., November 10 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, Integrity Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne and Kathleen Herrmann
Monday November 11th – Fairfield Poet Laureate Suzanne Bruce will be presenting a poem at the Fairfield Veterans Day Parade, downtown Fairfield. Parade begins at 12:00 noon.
Tuesday, November 19 – 6:00-8:30 PM- Benicia Literary Arts and Benicia’s Poet Laureate Program are holding a workshop on Writing Lyrics. The workshop will be taught by poets/lyricists Tom Stanton and Gail Wasserman. Dona Benicia Room at the Benicia Library. You can find out more on the Benicia Literary Arts website.
Thursday, November 21st, – 10:30 AM, Art Beat Poetry Hour will be meeting on the third Thursday, November 21st, due to national and religious holidays. It shall return to 4th Thursdays after the new year. Show up at 1026 Georgia Street in Vallejo by 10:15 AM to read live on air. You can listen to the broadcast at worldwide via https://tunein.com/radio/Ozcat-Radio-895-s130679/
Wed., November 27th, 2024 – Poetry By The Bay Open Mic, Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, 7-9 p.m., hosted by Keith Thompson
Sunday, November 24th – 2 PM – Integrity Poetry Party at 717 Marin Street. Poetry open mic and live music.
Due to national and religious holidays in the wintertime, many local open mics may not be meeting in December. Please check with individual open mic hosts to confirm cancellations or alternative dates.
December events will be listed here.
Compiled by Kathleen Herrmann, Jacalyn Eyvonne, and D.L. Lang
Benicia First Tuesday Poets will not be meeting on July 2nd or August 6th. They will be holding their annual Poet’s Picnic on Sunday, August 4th from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at the Benicia City Park, at the corner of Military and First St. There …