New York City: the heart of some of the most profound art and culture in society. From the fine arts to visual performance, this city thrives upon and lures creatives from around the world to develop their artistry. Poetry interlaces the written word, spoken language and even lively performance into one distinctive, literary artform. Ideas and passions are proliferated through this clever, melodic art; rhythm, figurative language and witty structures are cultivated to bring verses to life. Whether you are searching for a cozy, ambient nook to delight in a poetry performance or you long to take the stage and proclaim your own poetic abilities—finding the perfect spot can be cumbersome. Here are some of the hidden gems in the New York City community to recite and admire poetry.
Nuyorican Poets Café offers an intimate, authentic experience of viewing a rich diversity of poetry, music, visual art and theater. An East Village landmark, this café has hosted poets such as Allen Ginsburg, who stated that “The Nuyorican Poets Café is the most integrated place on the planet,” attendees including the renowned Elizabeth Acevedo, and groundbreaking Giannina Braschi, to name a few. Recognized as a multi-cultural institution, the Café was founded by Puerto Rican poet Miguel Algarín who wanted to give a voice to spoken word performers of color. Today, Nuyorican hosts an incredibly diverse group of performers experimenting and flourishing through their artistry. This magical spot is utterly timeless, living on today with Monday open mic night events, weekly poetry slams and Latin Jazz Jams on Thursday evenings. With a colorful history and undeniably vibrant community of up-and-coming New York artists, the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café truly nourishes melodies of poetry born on the streets of the city.
Bowery Poetry Club is another famed East Village spot for aspiring and established poets to display their artistry. Located between Bleeker and Houston Street, this charming venue sustains spoken word poets and readings that will enliven your senses and cling onto your attention. Rapturing “series” are hosted by the club such as: Endless Blue Salon—a reading series “by and for queer people of color” on Nov. 14, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12; SE Buscan Poetas—a “Spanish/Gallician/English/Multilingual series” welcoming an open mic night with several guest poets on Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Nov. 29 and ASL Slam, monthly performances that opens the stage to audience members to “come up and rap, rhapsodize and rehash or just relate in sign language.” The Bowery Poetry club was founded by Bob Holman, an American poet and passionate poetry activist, who has stated that “poetry can change the world,” that it “has changed [his] life so profoundly, it flavors [his] breathing.” Offering poetry workshops, opportunities to perform and opportunities to absorb poetry of all origins and upbringings, this poetry club is brilliant in its authenticity.
The University is also home to a wealth of artists and writers with an allure to endeavoring crafters of diverse backgrounds. Poets @ Pace is a University founded program that brings distinguished poets and writers to conduct witty, potent readings. University professor and poet-in-residence Charles North founded and directs Poets @ Pace, framing the opportunity to view inspiring displays of poetic artistry. Join the Poets @ Pace each semester to witness tactful poetry readings from notable writers.
The community of art and artists in New York is limitless in possibility and variety. With a plethora of ingenuity and creativity bursting at the seams of the city, there is no better way to take advantage of such dexterity than witnessing and participating in it live. Poetry not only empowers the voices within an intricately diverse culture, with readings engendering articulation within all minds alike. Woven into the community, these treasures of poetry reading venues host a backdrop to such stirring discourse.
