Upcoming Poetry Events in May and June
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 Poets at Benicia Library, East L St. An Open Mic event in the comfy chairs in the Fireside Lounge, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Katrina Monroe. All Welcome to read (3 minute max for each of 2 poems) or to just listen.
Thursday, May 8, 10:30 for brunch, 11 for meeting: Table Talk at the Inn by the Bay, East D St., Benicia. An opportunity for writers of all genres to exchange ideas, resources and favorite things. For more details or to RSVP to host Beth Grimm, email [email protected].
Saturday, May 10, 2-4pm: Meet Genny Lim, a reading by San Francisco Poet Laureate Genny Lim, poet, musician, playwright, winner of the American Book Award, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poets Laureate Kathleen Herrmann & Jacalyn Eyvonne.
Wednesday, May 14, 6-8pm: Meet Your Poetic Cousins and Ancestors at JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo, hosted by David Hakim. A reading and exploration of the craft of famous poets.
Monday, May 19: DEADLINE for Solano County Fair Poetry Entries.
Wednesday, May 28: Opening Day for May Flowers exhibit in preparation for Ekphrastic Reading, Saturday, June 21. Details on website of FSVAA. Hosted by Suzanne Bruce, Poet Laureate Emerita of Fairfield.
Wed., May 28– Poetry By The Bay, New Time! 7:30-9:30 p.m., Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Street, hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka GO284.
“May Flowers” art exhibit opens at the FSVAA Gallery. The art reception and poetry reading will be on Saturday, June 21.
Thursday, May 22, 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.
June 2025 Spoken Word Poetry Events
Sun., June 1 – Bay Area Butterfly Festival, 10-5, 860 Nimitz Avenue, Vallejo (Mare Island). Kathleen Herrmann will perform poetry and song in the Kids’ Zone from 3:00-3:15. Suggested donation: children $5, adults $15
Sunday, June 1, 2-4pm PDT: BENICIA LOVE POETRY CELEBRATION ON ZOOM! Come join the excitement of hearing the winning poetry, the honorable mentions, as well as the other fabulous entries! Hosted by Kathy Monroe and Mary Susan Gast. Zoom
Tue., June 3 – First Tuesday Poets, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Fireside Lounge, Benicia Library, hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe.
Sun., June 8 – Tea House Open Mic Poetry, IntegriTEA Space, 717 Marin Street, 2-4 p.m., hosted by Co-Poet Laureate Jacalyn Eyvonne.
Wed., June 25– Poetry By The Bay, New Time! 7:30-9:30 p.m., Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Street, hosted by Keith Thompson and Cynaka GO284.
Thursday, June 26, 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.
June 28th – 2-4 PM open mic at Panama Bay Coffee on the waterfront – https://www.instagram.com/p/DJKXdG5SvSx/?img_index=1
June 28th – 4 PM Poetry is Dead II anthology reading at Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin Street in Vallejo. Features California contributors to anthology edited by D.L. Lang
2025 Solano County Fair
Registration and fee payment of $5 per entry is due May 19th through this link: https://www.blueribbonfair.com/BRFairProd/BlueRibbonStart.aspx?ID=1844
Dept. 205 , Division 230. Two classes: 1 – Published. 2 – Unpublished.
Instructions for display: https://scfair.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2-Entry-Guide-Book-Fine-Arts.pdf
Delivery of framed poetry to McCormack Hall at the Fairgrounds on Friday, May 30th between 3 PM – 7 PM or Saturday, May 31st between 10 AM – 2 PM.
Fair takes place June 12 – 15th
Pick up is June 16th 12 noon to 7 PM.
If you would like to perform at the fair here is the link to the online applications: https://scfair.org/perform-at-the-fair/
More ongoing open mics
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.
Vallejo Poet Laureate Celebration – Save the date! July 26th, 2025
Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum – 734 Marin Street, Vallejo, CA – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm More information here.
Compiled by Kathy Monroe, Kathleen Herrmann, and D.L. Lang