Home » Poems » Blogs » Poetry Reading Vs Open Mic Night

Christine Phillips Biography

Poetry Reading Vs Open Mic Night

Blog Posted by Christine Phillips: 10/17/2013 11:25:00 PM

My Dear Soupers,

Please comment on the differences between poetry reading and open mic night. Are they the same? Have you ever attended or participated in a poetry reading session?

Thank you

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

Christine
Phillips

Date: 10/20/2013 12:54:00 AM

Opinion 1 :This is long so please follow the numbers and connect the paragraph. Well, based on experience and some of the sessions that I have attended, this is what I can say about poetry reading. Poetry reading is the performance of poetry, and involves poets performing their own poems or those of other poet in front of a live audience. Poetry reading events usually take different forms they can either be organized for large or small audience, an amateur audience, a sophisticated audience or both.

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 1:03:00 AM

Opinion 2 Larger poetry reading events are usually conducted in theatre, school halls; community centers, hotel board rooms, amphitheatres (open air theatre similar to ancient Greek semicircular style theatre) whereas, smaller events are usually facilitated in smaller venues such as libraries, small experimental theatre, café, pubs, popular book store or even a garage. Larger events are usually well organized, and involved several readers. In most cases a critique usually follows and feedbacks are be given by the audience

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 1:02:00 AM

Opinion 3 These events are usually well coordinated to facilitate order and smooth transitions. For readings that are held in smaller settings the procedures are usually the same but or a less formal since the audience has closer contact with the reader. Poetry reading is very rewarding and your poems become alive on “center stage”. It gives others the opportunity to interpret your poem in many different ways. Only poetry performance is involved in the poetry reading. No other performing arts.

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 12:55:00 AM

Nette
Onclaud

Date: 10/19/2013 6:16:00 PM

it's the same in some ways.. i have done poetry reading for groups and artist's cafe -nights; the audience is definitely present in the flesh( visual auditory, kinesthetic, vocal, sight- sensitive); there is an exchange of views as well .. however, if you are talking of a radio show,like drake's there is no live crowd; but it's fun!... it might be the same for youtube; the audience is just you without feedback except for written comments...

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 12:50:00 AM

Opinion 4 In contrast an open mic night is a live show with an audience and involved different aspect of the performing arts such as dance drama, skit, comedy, music (singing) and poetry performance. The emphasis is usually on the spoken word. The performers are usually members of the audience. Some open mic night are also well organize and can be conducted at sophisticated or less sophisticate venues, the purpose of this event is usually for entertainment and sometimes to discover new talents. Feedbacks and criticism is not relative to this event. They are mainly done in bars, clubs, a living room, in the basement, at the gym or even in an experimental theatre. Therefore, I believe that an open mic night and a poetry reading are different events.

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 12:48:00 AM

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 12:47:00 AM

Christine Phillips
Date: 10/20/2013 12:45:00 AM

Brian
Strand

Date: 10/19/2013 2:44:00 AM

Perhaps the best part of a youtube 'recital' clip is the poet is able to 'say it' as it is, from his perspective. Some comments I have had here on my work over the years here on PS though validate my earlier comment (below)when the 'reader' connects and gives a 'new' perspective 'which often completely unthought of by me the poet.

Nette Onclaud
Date: 10/19/2013 6:09:00 PM

brian, heard you on youtube...can't get enough of you!..:) huggs

Carrie Richards
Date: 10/19/2013 10:41:00 AM

I have much to catch up on your youtube poetry, Brian, but I agree.....hearing you read your own work, helps "connect" me to the heart of the writer......it is like putting a face to a phone friend.....or holding the words in your hand, feeling the warmth or the tears, ..... it gives a offers a new dimension to the poem

Carol
Eastman

Date: 10/18/2013 5:08:00 PM

An open mic night is where you go and sign in. Then everyone gets a turn to read a couple poems... If the list is done early they give everyone a change to read again... In St. Louis they're at Deli type eating places. They have a certain night a week or month set up... A reading is usually dedicated to a certain person or persons decided on ahead of time. No one else reads... UTube is popular but it's up to you to draw an audience to your video... Not always an easy thing to do...

James Marshall
Goff

Date: 10/18/2013 2:01:00 PM

I have read in front of groups of various sorts.....love it! 'specially when i can read my boomerang poetry while throwing indoor booms!

James Marshall
Goff

Date: 10/18/2013 1:58:00 PM

i agree Brian.... the value of real human contact is underrated these days....in my deli...I see over 300 cust's/day....many stroll in "eyes glued" to handheld gods (title of one of my older poems!) when i greet them, they seem startled, confused and insecure upon "contact" even fearful! thanks for "link" to your work! jmg

Carrie Richards
Date: 10/19/2013 10:29:00 AM

I fear that the handheld god of which you speak, is taking over the ability to communicate eye to eye, human to human....will be eventually evolve into mute beings who cannot interact without our eyes glued to a piece of technology?

Brian
Strand

Date: 10/18/2013 9:44:00 AM

Reciting your poetry on youtube is a good way to combine both of these choices Christine.I now have over 100 thereon,and it also includes some of my artwork .(It is a kind of update (some soupers may remember them) of my captioned cartoons published here when I blogged on soup).Have a good weekend every one.Rgds Brian

David
Williams

Date: 10/18/2013 8:59:00 AM

Hi Christine I do lots of both, open mic's are not critiqued, poetry readings can be.....David

James Marshall
Goff

Date: 10/18/2013 6:44:00 AM

Brian.....once again (as has happened innumerable times over the years I have had the privilege of listening to you) i am inspired to hold a "reading hour" with my extended family.....as a couple write! one of my Grand-Nephews WRITES MINDBLOWING SYFY! a bit graphic tho, I might say! for an 11yr old! schneikie tho.....his teachers love it! jimbo

Brian Strand
Date: 10/18/2013 9:34:00 AM

THank Jim for your comments today on my structured prose poetry.Which can also be found on youtube where I recite these verses aloud to prove my pint below(under name ichthyschiro).Have a good weekend.

Brian
Strand

Date: 10/18/2013 5:45:00 AM

Both fufill the true reason for poetry Christine ie ...writing to be read aloud..to another ..to create a unique 'as is moment' much the same as happens when we view a painting. Only then does an inanimate poem and/or a painting come alive.Rgds Brian