05/03/2025

Upcoming Poetry Events in May and June

Table of Contents

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 grimmbeth93@gmail.com.

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.

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.

Tue., May 27 – “May Flowers” art exhibit opens at the FSVAA Gallery. Pieces available to view online at
fvaa-arts.org, click on “Gallery”. Send poems of 42 lines or less inspired by this exhibit to Suzanne Bruce at fairfieldpoetlaureate.emerita@gmail.com by Wed., June 18 at 5:00 p.m. The art reception and poetry reading will be on Saturday, June 21.

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.

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 12-3:30pm: OPENING DAY of The Art of a Community at Arts Benicia, 1 Commandant Lane. Poets are invited to choose one piece to which to write an ekphrastic poem, one page long in 12 point font, including a title and name of the poet. Because of the large number of art works, approximately 190 with each artist limited to one piece in the show, each piece in our ekphrastic event can have only one poem written to it. There will be a signup sheet for each poet to choose an unduplicated art work that they commit to writing about. The Gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, 1-5 pm. Plenty of time through June for you to select ONE of 190 art pieces to use as inspiration for your one page of poetry. Up to 30 poets can sign up on the sheet in the front hall. Specific instructions are posted next to it. The deadline for sending in your poem is July 1. The ekphrastic event will be Saturday, July 12, 2-4pm. Hosted by Benicia Poet Laureate Kathy Monroe.

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 11 Meet Your Poetic Cousins & Ancestors, 6-8 p.m., JFK Library, 505 Santa Clara St., Vallejo

June 19th – Juneteenth Flag Raising at Vallejo Museum 734 Marin Street. Dr. Genea Brice will be sharing poetry.

Sat., June 21 – 3 – 6 PM “May Flowers” Art Reception and Poetry Reading at FSVAA Gallery, 1350 Travis Blvd., Fairfield, hosted by Poet Laureate Emerita Suzanne Bruce.

Saturday, June 21 – 7-9 PM – Speaking in the Key of Meaning Jazz & Poetry at the Mira Theater, 51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo, CA, 94590 $25 tickets available here

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 Grateful Dead anthology reading at Alibi Bookshop 624 Marin Street in Vallejo. Features California contributors to anthology edited by D.L. Lang. More information.

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.