Mic Check Poetry Fest 2024
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Mic Check Poetry Fest 2024
November 8 - November 9
$10 – $75
Mic Check Poetry Fest is a two-day celebration of spoken word and its power to bear witness, create community, and inspire change. The festival is packed with a variety of events, from performances by Iowa spoken word poets to a showcase highlighting nationally-acclaimed artist Rudy Francisco, making it unlike any other festival in Iowa. In the true spirit of spoken word, Mic Check Poetry Fest gives space for attendees to engage and create through writing workshops and a poetry slam and open mic.
Two powerful poets perform live at The Hancher on Friday night, Nov 8th, then lead workshops on Saturday afternoon, Nov 9th. Saturday night, top Iowa poets perform live with The Blake Shaw Trio.
Full Schedule of events
Use the links below to register.
Don’t wait. Space is limited!
Friday, November 8
Mic Check Poetry Fest Showcase
Performance 1
Mic Check Poetry Fest is proud to partner with The Hancher to present our festival showcase featuring Rudy Francisco, Outspoken Bean, and teen poets from IC Speaks.
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Cabaret
Mic Check Poetry Fest Showcase
Performance 2
Mic Check Poetry Fest is proud to partner with The Hancher to present our festival showcase featuring Rudy Francisco, Outspoken Bean, and teen poets from IC Speaks.
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Cabaret
SATURday, November 9
11:00 am -12:30 pm
The Giants I (still) Follow
Adult Writing Workshop
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Location: In person at the Tuesday Agency, 404 East College Street, Suite 408 (4th floor of The Chauncey).
Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 19+
No Gravity in Personal Narrative
Youth Writing Workshop
Time: 11:00 am -12:30 pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall.
Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 13-18
2:30-4:00 pm
No Gravity in Figurative Language
Adult Writing Workshop
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: In person at the Tuesday Agency, 404 East College Street, Suite 408 (4th floor of The Chauncey). Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 19+
Standing on Shoulders
Youth Writing Workshop
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 S Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall.
Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 13-18
4:30 pm and after
Slam O Vision International
The spoken word version of Eurovision, hosted by the UNESCO Cities of Literature and their partners — where each City slams their way to the grand title of SlamOvision Champion!
The Slam O Vision event is a project of the international UNESCO Cities of Literature. Slam poets in 11 Cities of Literature compete to be named the Slam O Vision champion.
Time: 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: MERGE, 136 S Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall
Registration not required: This is a free event! Walk-ins welcome.
Poetry in Motion
Iowa City Poetry presents Poetry in Motion, a live show featuring top spoken word performers sharing their work with the accompaniment of the The Blake Shaw Quartet. This show broadens the definition of spoken word by adding music to the powerful words brought to the stage. It speaks to anyone who appreciates poetry, music, and performance. Not to be missed!
Time: 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Iowa City Senior Center & Online
Tickets: $15 for adults 19+, $10 for college students, free to youth
Mic Check Festival – Poetry Slam
After a day of writing workshops, the evening poetry slam offers an opportunity for attendees to take the stage and share their own work. This event is essential to Mic Check Poetry Fest as it speaks to the heart of spoken word: listening and sharing, call and response, acceptance and vulnerability. This evening slam and open mic is a time not only to experience spoken word, but to embody it.
Location: Riverside Theatre
Time: Sign Up 8:30 / Slam Start 9:00
Tickets: $5 for adults and college students, free to youth