Open Mic readers compete for a chance to read at the Sierra Poetry Festival

SPF Fringe officially kicked off this Thursday, March 12 with Nevada County Poet Laureate Karen Terrey of Tangled Roots Writing and her monthly open mic series! We had a fun crowd join us with our local writers and poets at Alibi Ale Works - Brewery and Barrel House, Truckee. Each month don't miss this amazing opportunity to share your voice with our wonderful poetry community.

 The Tangled Roots Open Mic & Reading Series is hosted by Nevada County Poet Laureate Karen Terrey every second Thursday of the month. This month featured  a special twist! Readers had the opportunity to compete.  Open mic readers compete for a chance to read their work from the Main Stage at the 10th annual Sierra Poetry Festival on Saturday, April 18. Two winners will be selected by a panel of judges.

The panel of guest judges did not have an easy job, and I was happy to MC rather than judge. Dr. Kim Bateman, clinical psychologist, author, storyteller, and end of life doula, summed up the challenge as she announced our two winners. Each performer brought a unique style of audience engagement, use of strong imagery, and voice to their work. They all deserve to win and it was difficult to choose only two. You can find out more about Kim in this Community Spotlight interview. Our second judge, Hawa Arsala, is a poet based in Grass Valley, familiar with open mic performances as she won last year's Iron Door Open Mic Slam Competition.

Local writers George Perreault and Maeve Donovan were selected to perform their original work from the main stage on Saturday, April 18 during our Community Voices programming. You can buy tickets to the event here.

Alibi Ale Works Truckee is a hub for fresh beer, tasty eats & good times with Truckee’s largest outdoor patio.

For more information on area literary events: https://mailchi.mp/ba8f858cf94d/festivals-drama-crawls-open-mics-and-workshops