Inspired Word Cafe Open Mic / Open Slam Events

What started as an intimate gathering for writers to share their poetry at localcafes, has grown into a much anticipated open mic and open slam eventwhere local writers and poets come to share their work.
Now in its fourteenth season, the Inspired Word Café (IWC) is pleased to planmore events giving local literary artists more opportunities to share theirwriting.
For over a decade, IWC has hosted monthly five spot open mic and eight spotopen slam events. People can sign up on a first come, first served basis, andall styles, genres, and forms are welcome, explains IWC Executive Director,Cole Mash.
“We have hosted these open mic events at a variety of venues aroundKelowna over the years, and in the last two years, have made a home thanksto our partnership with BNA Burger (formerly The Tasting Room). This venuematches perfectly with our easy-going and accessible vibe,” says Mash.
The open mic is for anyone to perform music, poetry, standup, a sketch, or anygenre you can think of to share in our positive space. The open slam invitespeople to come prepared with three original poems in any style to compete inrounds to win cash prizes.
Due to high demand to get on stage and share work during last year’s season,IWC will offer 10 open mic events this year between September-April to ensurepeople can take the mic.
“We had people lining up an hour before the doors opened just to sign up, andsome nights we even had to turn audience members away as the space was atfull capacity,” notes Mash.
IWC is a non-profit who serves the needs of the artistic community throughinclusive and accessible programming. We also need the support of ourcommunity members, and invite people to become a member of ourorganization. More details about the cost and advantages to membership canbe found here: www.inspiredwordcafe.com/membership
Open mic events happen on select Thursday evenings at the BNA Burgerstarting on September 28. For a full schedule of events, visitwww.inspiredwordcafe.com/events
Doors and sign up opens at 6:30pm, and entry is a $6-$10 sliding scale, or $5 for IWCmembers. Sign up is first come, first serve, and in high demand, so if you want to readmake sure you mark your calendars!
IWC programming is made possible by the City of Kelowna, the Faculty of Creative andCritical Studies at UBC Okanagan, and BNA Brewery.