Spoken Word Search
Oakland Poetry Slam & Open Mic
Spoken Word Thu., May 23, 9:30 p.m.The Shout
Spoken Word Second Monday of every month, 7:30 p.m.510-922-1507
From a man whose family ended up in the Federal Witness Protection Program to a woman who once had a job caring for a fortune-telling chicken in Guinea Bissau to someone's unforgettable encounter with a bee on a golf course, the stories told at The Shout are the stuff of fiction, but drawn from real life. Much like The Moth StorySLAM events, The Shout is crowdsourced storytelling: Stories have few guidelines besides being true, less than ten minutes long, and worth the time it takes to tell the tale. Featured storytellers are selected beforehand, but audience members can put their names in a hat in hopes of sharing their own six-minute yarns. Join hosts Rami Margron and Cassidy Brown at Grand Lake Coffee House (440 Grand Ave., Oakland) on Monday, Jan. 14Â -- and the second Monday of every month -- for some riveting tidbits of real life. 7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-20. TheShoutStorytelling.com
$5-20 sliding scaleFriday Night Launch
Religion & Spirituality, Social Events, Spoken Word Fridays, 7 p.m.510-859-3150
Every Friday, the Launching Pad (2649 Russell St., Berkeley) hosts the Friday Night Launch, featuring spiritually focused spoken word, discussions, and music for young adults. The events start at 7 p.m. and are free, although donations are accepted; there's a group vegetarian dinner available at 6 p.m., too. 510-859-3150 or LaunchingPadBerkeley.com
free/donationThe Golden State Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Spoken Word First and Third Sunday of every month, 6:30-10 p.m.662-589-8577
Twice a month you can earn points to qualify for the 2012 slam team at the Golden State Poetry Slam and Open Mic, hosted by three-time Grand Slam winner Sean "Ner City" Gullatt and Earring Diva D'Dra White. DJ Harvey Kent provides the tunes. Every first and third Sunday at Grand Lake Coffee House (440 Grand Ave., Oakland). 6:30-10 p.m. $5-$7. 662-589-8577 or GSSlam.com
$5-$7Second Tuesdays Poetry Night
Spoken Word Second Tuesday of every month, 7-9 p.m.510-526-3720
Tell It On Tuesday
Theater & Performing Arts, Spoken Word Last Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m.510-704-8291
The Blue Candle
Spoken Word, Literary Events, Comedy Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m.510-428-1935
The Berkeley Slam
Spoken Word Wednesdays, 8 p.m.510-841-2082
Open Mic at The Little Castle
Open Mic & Jam Session, Spoken Word First and Third Wednesday of every month, 8-11 p.m.Writer Readings
Literary Events, Spoken Word Third Thursday of every month, 6 p.m.Heart of the Muse
Spoken Word Second Thursday of every month, 7 p.m.510-522-2226
Literary Night at Julie's
Literary Events, Spoken Word First Thursday of every month, 7 p.m.510-865-2385
Itching to perform that powerful scene from your nascent screenplay? Need an audience to vet the intro to your great American novel? Want to summon the spirit behind Shakespeare's sonnets? Then head to Literary Night at Julie's Coffee and Tea Garden (1223 Park St., Alameda), which happens every third Thursday. Pieces can be original or not, and all genres are welcome. Free; sign-ups start at 7 p.m., readings at 7:30 p.m. 510-865-2385 or JuliesTea.com
freeStorytelling Swap
Spoken Word Third Thursday of every month, 7-9 p.m.510-523-6957
Holla Back and Speakeasy $5 Thursdays
Literary Events, Culinary & Wine, DJ & Dance, Spoken Word, Social Events Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.510-533-6629
Thursday at Word Beat
Spoken Word Thursdays, 8 p.m.510-549-1128
This Week's Feature
FEATURE
A People-Focused Solution
Restorative justice programs may offer the best new hope for reducing violence in Oakland schools and the city overall, but their future funding is uncertain.
