Mic Check Poetry Fest 2025
November 13-15
Two powerful poets perform live at The Hancher on Friday night, then lead workshops on Saturday afternoon. Saturday night, top Iowa poets perform with a live jazz band.
Mic Check Poetry Fest is a three-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 Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye, 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.
Adults attend low cost, teens attend free!
Registration
Adults 19+ can purchase individual tickets to select events below or get a Fest Pass for easy access to the entire festival at one low price.
Teens 13-18 are invited to attend all events and youth workshops for FREE with registration!
Full Schedule of events
Registration will be opening for individual events between June and November.
Multiple events sold out last year. Buy a fest pass now to reserve your place!
Thursday, November 13
Spoken Word in the Academy Panel
Enjoy a lively discussion at one of Iowa City's favorite literary spaces.
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: Prairie Lights, 15 S Dubuque St.
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
Friday, November 14
Mic Check Poetry Fest Showcase
Mic Check Poetry Fest is proud to partner with The Hancher to present our festival showcase featuring Sarah Kay, Phil Kaye, and teen poets from IC Speaks.
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Hancher Auditorium / Strauss Hall / Cabaret Seating @ 141 Park Rd, Iowa City
SATURday, November 15
11:00 am -12:30 pm
Sarah Kay
Youth Writing Workshop
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
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
Phil Kaye
Adult Writing Workshop
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+
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
2:30-4:00 pm
Phil Kaye
Youth Writing Workshop
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Location: In-person at Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room D, 123 S Linn Street. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 13-18
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
Sarah Kay
Adult Writing Workshop
Time: 2:30 - 4:00 pm
Location: In-person at MERGE, 136 South Dubuque Street, on downtown Ped Mall. Virtually via Zoom.
Ages: 19+
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
4:30 pm and after
Poetry in Motion
Iowa City Poetry presents Poetry in Motion, a live show featuring top spoken word performers sharing their work with the accompaniment of the The Blake Shaw Quartet. 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!
Tickets: $15 for adults 19+, $10 for college students, free to youth
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
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.
Tickets: $5 for adults and college students, free to youth
Ticketing / Registration Details Coming Soon!
