The Island’s next Open Mic Poetry Night will be held on Thursday 17 April, from 8pm onwards. Poets will have the chance to step up to the mic and share their work with an appreciative and very friendly audience at Jabberwocky in Duke Street, Douglas.

Hazel Teare, one of the event’s organisers, said, ‘Since the hugely successful Poetry Slam at last year’s Manx Litfest, the open mic poetry nights have been a real draw, attracting poets from all walks of life, along with big audiences. There is a buzz around poetry and spoken word at the moment and we’re looking forward to another great night at the April event.’

Open mics give poets a chance to get their work out there – and the opportunity to practice public reading in the run-up to the Poetry Slam at this year’s Litfest in September. Last year’s Slam champion was the inimitable Georgia Zapparoli, who gave a fantastic performance to win hands down.

Unlike the annual Poetry Slam, regular open mic nights are non-competitive and everyone is welcome to take part, or just to come along and listen. If you’d like to read, make sure you arrive promptly to get a slot on the mic. To find out more about open mic poetry nights, contact Hazel – music_freak@hotmail.com.