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 live with The Blake Shaw Quartet.
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!
Support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Iowa Arts
Council, which exists within the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
Full Schedule of events
Multiple events sold out last year. Book tickets for individual events or get 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.
This is a free panel! Registration not required!
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
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+
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
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+
4:30 pm and after
Building Spoken Word Communities
Join Iowa poetry community leaders as they discuss what it means to build community, how to do it, and the experiences they’ve learned from. This FREE panel is for anyone interested in getting more connected with poetry in Iowa and/or hoping to contribute to their local poetry community. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel, you just have to find those already on a roll!
Time: 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A
This is a free panel! Registration not required!
Teaching Spoken Word in the Classroom
Why include spoken word poetry on college and high school syllabi? What are the benefits of including slam poems in both contemporary literature courses and creative writing workshops? In this panel discussion between college and high school teachers, we'll consider how slam poetry challenges the established stories of American literary history and is also integral to them.
Time: 4:30-5:30 pm
Location: MERGE, 136 S. Dubuque Street
This is a free panel! Registration not required!
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 Now Live
Mic Check Festival - Poetry Slam
After a day of writing workshops and panels, 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.
$150 IN PRIZES
Registration not required: $5 entrance to adults 19+. Free to youth 13-18 with ID. Pre-paid entrance to Fest Pass Holders.
