Oakland spoken word, poetry scene offers unique mix of talent ...

Story Jeannine Etter

The spoken word has the power to stimulate, titillate, uplift, challenge, enlighten and move. In Oakland, it is no different, providing an art scene that is rich, vibrant, uplifting, challenging and moving.

Issues like love, culture, community, sex, drugs and hip hop are live and uncensored, unprocessed and unedited, but always up-to-date and informative. Covering the range of life experiences, and from a predominantly Oakland perspective, local prophets, ministers, comedians, lovers, politicians and the lost and found alike brave the most common - the fear of public speaking - to share their ideas and views on existence.

To enjoy the power of the spoken word, to improve your skills as an artist, find a new home, new family or a new niche, check out one - or more - of the following events:

Tuesdays -

Blue Candle Tuesday, with new host and funny man LeRoy Stanfield Jr.
Dorsey?s Locker, 5817 Shattuck Ave., Oakland
(510) 428-1935, (510) 601-9853
8:30 p.m. Free

Poetry Diversified on first and third Tuesday of the month, hosted by poetry ensemble Tres Santos.
World Ground Caf?, 3726 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland
(510) 482-2933
7:30 to 9 p.m. Free

Wednesdays -

Mouth Off Wednesdays, hosted by ?2007 Spoken Word Artist of the Year? Prentice Powell.
Air Lounge, 492 Ninth St., Oakland
(510) 444-2377
Open mic featuring live dance party and DJ?s following.
7 p.m. to 2 a.m.; 21 and over. Cost: $5 General/$3 with valid student ID.

Thursdays -

Holla Back Thursdays
East Side Arts Alliance, 2277 International Blvd., Oakland
(510) 533-6629
Open mic poetry, followed at 10:30 p.m. by dancing, poetry, rap, food, live DJ's and more. 7:30 p.m. Cost: $5

The Singer?s Lounge, an open mic for musical artists, hosted by Sonia Whittle.?
ERA Art Bar & Lounge, 19 Grand Ave., Oakland
(510) 832-4400
Sign ups at 8 p.m.; free drinks to all performers

Fridays -

Poetic Groove, with hosts Cassandra, Indigo and Jim Martin
House of Unity, Eastmont Town Center, 7200 Bancroft Ave., Oakland
(510) 635-2966, (510) 430-9931
7:30 p.m.? Free

Youth Speaks presents a monthly under-21 open mic, second Fridays of the month, hosted by Meilani Clay and Katy Turchin
Pro Arts Gallery, 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland
(415) 255-9035
7 p.m. Free

Sundays -

The Golden State Poetry Slam and Open Mic, first and third Sundays of the month, hosted by three-time Grand Slam winner Sean "Ner City" Gullatt and Earring Diva D'Dra White.
Grand Lake Coffee House, 440 Grand Ave., Oakland
(662) 589-8577
At each open mic, participants can earn points to qualify for the 2012 slam team
6:30 to 10 p.m. Cost: $5-$7?

Learn more at:

hotwatercornbread.org

Susan Mernit is the co-founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, a popular speaker and facilitator, and a consultant to media, non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland with a rescue dog named Cazzie, a little brown foster dog named Jada, and a yard in serious need of soil remediation. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist who's found home in Oakland.

Source: http://oaklandlocal.com/posts/2012/09/oakland-spoken-word-poetry-scene-offers-unique-mix-talent-check-it-out

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