November 5-7, 2021
Attend in person or virtuallY!
Mic Check Poetry Fest is a three day celebration of spoken word, designed for poets, poetry lovers, performers, and those who seek the unmistakable feeling of community. Produced by Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey and Iowa City Poetry, the festival is packed with a variety of events, from performances by Iowa and global poets to a showcase highlighting young writers and nationally acclaimed artist Javon Johnson, making it unlike any other festival in Iowa. In the true spirit of spoken word, Mic Check Poetry Fest doesn’t only offer a chance to listen, it gives space for attendees to engage and create through a panel discussion, writing workshops, along with a poetry slam and open mic. Festival events will be hybrid, with the option of in-person or virtual attendance, unless otherwise indicated.
Registration
All programs require registration. You can attend in person or virtually.
Adults 19+ can get a Fest Pass for easy access to the entire festival at one low price — or purchase individual tickets to select events.
Teens 13-18 are invited to attend all events and youth workshops for FREE with registration!
Schedule of Events
Key
Youth Programming (Ages 13-18)
Adult Programming (Ages 19+)
All Ages Welcome!
Friday - November 5, 2021
Poetry in Motion
A live show featuring top spoken word performers sharing their work with the accompaniment of the acclaimed Gerard Estella band. This show broadens the definition of spoken word by adding music to the powerful words brought to the stage. It speaks to anyone who appreciates poetry, music, and performance. Hosted by dynamic MC Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey, the lineup includes Larry Moore, Heather 'Byrd' Roberts, Laura Johnson, Jocelyn Rifas, David Duer, Ever Taylor, and Kelsey Bigelow. This show is made possible through a partnership with The Iowa City Senior Center.
This event is generously sponsored by Alebrije Mexican Restaurant, Mosley's Barbecue and Provisions, and Trumpet Blossom Cafe.
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Location: In person at the Iowa City Senior Center, 28 South Linn Street (enter by East Washington door). Virtually by Zoom.
Saturday - November 6, 2021
10:30am - 12:00pm
Javon Johnson
Youth Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 1
Time: 10:30am-12:00pm
Ages: 13-18
Location: In person at the Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A, 123 South Linn Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
Heather 'Byrd' Roberts
Adult Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 1A
Time: 10:30am-12:00pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
Caleb 'the negro artist' Rainey
Adult Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 1B
Time: 10:30am-12:00pm
Location: In person at Public Space One, 229 South Gilbert Street. Virtually by Zoom.
1:30pm-2:30pm
Spoken Word Poetry Panel Discussion
Festival headliner Dr. Javon Johnson and artists from Poetry in Motion will shed light on the history of spoken word, their personal relationships with the art form, and some tried and true techniques. Moderated by Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey, the panel will conclude by taking questions from the audience.
Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
2:45pm-4:15pm
Javon Johnson
Adult Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 2
Time: 2:45pm-4:15pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
ChRis Britton
Midwest writing Center: Youth Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 2A
Time: 2:45pm-4:15pm
Ages: 13-18
Location: In person at Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Rooms B & C, 123 South Linn Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
Micah Ariel James
IYWP: Youth Spoken Word Poetry Writing Workshop 2B
Time: 2:45pm-4:15pm
Ages: 13-18
Location: In person at Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room D, 123 South Linn Street (on Ped Mall). Virtually by Zoom.
5:00pm-6:00 pm
Writers of Color Reading Series
In Partnership with Witching Hour
Live Readings
Featuring Nate Marshall, Tasha, and several local writers.
The Writers of Color Reading Series was created by authors T. Geronimo Johnson and Andre Perry in 2015. The series offers a dedicated presentation space in Iowa City for local Black, Indigineous, and other writers of color who are undergraduates, MFAs, or long-term residents. The series occurs as a live event during the annual Mission Creek (spring) and Witching Hour (fall) festivals and also exists as a podcast hosted by writer Chuy Renteria. The series coordinator for 2021-22 is Drue Denmon, a second-year fiction writer at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
Time: 5:00-6:00 pm
Location: In-person attendance only, at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street (on Ped Mall)
Tickets: attend with Fest Pass for Mic Check or Pass from Witching Hour.
No prior registration needed.
6:30pm-8:30pm
Poetry Slam and Open Mic
After a day of writing workshops, the evening poetry slam and open mic offers an opportunity for attendees to take the stage and share their own work. This event is essential to Mic Check Poetry Fest as it speaks to the heart of spoken word: listening and sharing, call and response, acceptance and vulnerability. This evening slam and open mic is a time not only to experience spoken word, but to embody it.
Time: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Location: In person at Old Capitol Senate Chamber, 21 N. Clinton Street (gold-domed building on Pentecrest). Virtually by Zoom.
9:00pm-10:30pm
Late-night movie at FilmScene: Louder than a bomb
Join Filmscene and Mic Check at this late-night showing of the classic slam movie, Louder Than A Bomb. This event is being offered in person only, with FilmScene comfort and safety policies in place.
Time: 9:30pm-11:00pm
Location: In-person viewing only, at FilmScene on Ped Mall, 118 East College Street.
Sunday - November 7, 2021
Javon Johnson & IC Speaks Showcase
For the final event of Mic Check Poetry Fest, Englert Wavelength and Iowa City Poetry welcome to the stage renowned spoken word poet and creative scholar Dr. Javon Johnson, accompanied by talented teen poets from IC Speaks, the writing and performance project that empowers youth from all backgrounds to speak their truths.
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: In person at The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington Street. Virtually via Englert website.
