Mic Check Poetry Fest 2023
November 3-4
Registration is now open!
Two powerful poets perform live at The Hancher on Friday night, Nov 3rd, then lead workshops on Saturday afternoon, Nov 4th.
get your tickets today
Mic Check Poetry Fest is a two-day celebration of spoken word and its power to bear witness, create community, and inspire change. The festival is packed with a variety of events, from performances by Iowa spoken word poets to a showcase highlighting nationally-acclaimed artists Danez Smith and Denice Frohman, making it unlike any other festival in Iowa. In the true spirit of spoken word, Mic Check Poetry Fest gives space for attendees to engage and create through writing workshops and a poetry slam and open mic.
Registration
Most programs require registration. You cannot always get tickets at the door!
Please see the festival schedule below for registration details for each event.
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!
This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Iowa Arts Council.
Full Schedule of events
Ticketing is live for all events. Use the links below to register.
Don't wait. Space is limited!
Friday, November 3
Mic Check Poetry Fest Showcase
Performance 1
Mic Check Poetry Fest is proud to partner with The Hancher to present our festival showcase featuring Danez Smith, Denice Frohman, and teen poets from IC Speaks.
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Cabaret
Mic Check Poetry Fest Showcase
Performance 2
Mic Check Poetry Fest is proud to partner with The Hancher to present our festival showcase featuring Danez Smith, Denice Frohman, and teen poets from IC Speaks.
Time: 9:00 pm
Location: Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Cabaret
SATURday, November 4
11:00 am -12:30 pm
SWEET IMPOSSIBLE BLOSSOM
Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
Location: In-person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 19+
BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORWARD INTO THE PAST
Time: 11:00 am -12:30 pm
Location: In-person at Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room D, 123 S Linn Street. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 13-18
2:30-4:00 pm
BACK TO THE FUTURE, FORWARD INTO THE PAST
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Location: In person at MERGE, 136 S Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 19+
SWEET IMPOSSIBLE BLOSSOM
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Location: In person at Iowa City Public Library, 123 S Linn Street, on downtown Ped Mall. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 13-18
4:30 pm and after
Slam O Vision International
The spoken word version of Eurovision, hosted by the UNESCO Cities of Literature and their partners — where each City slams their way to the grand title of SlamOvision Champion!
The Slam O Vision event is a project of the international UNESCO Cities of Literature. Slam poets in 11 Cities of Literature compete to be named the Slam O Vision champion.
Time: 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: MERGE, 136 S Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall
Registration not required: This is a free event! Walk-ins welcome.
Poetry in Motion
In support of Mic Check Poetry Fest, Rapson Collaborative presents Poetry in Motion, a live show featuring top spoken word performers sharing their work with the accompaniment of the band Wave Cage. 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. Not to be missed!
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Location: The James Theater, 213 N Gilbert St
Mic Check Festival - Poetry Slam
After a day of writing workshops, the evening poetry slam 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: Show 9:30 - 11:30 pm, sign up 9:00 pm
Location: The James Theater. 213 N Gilbert St
Registration not required: This is a free event! Walk-ins welcome.
