CENTRAL---SAN FRANCISCO

• Bazaar Café Open Mic, every Thursday, 7:00. First Thursday hosted by Pat Nugent, the rest by Mr. Andrew. Bazaar Café, 5927 California Street, between 21st and 22nd Avenues, SF, (415) 831-5620, www.bazaarcafe.com.

• Bird & Beckett open mic after featured poets, first and third Mondays monthly, 7:00. Fourth Thursday “Eminent Authors’ Birthdays” gathering to read the work of your favorite writers born in that month, 7:00. Bird & Beckett Books & Records, 653 Chenery, between Diamond and Castro, SF, (415) 586-3733, www.birdbeckett.com.

• Brainwash Spoken Word Open Mic, music welcome, every Monday night, 7:00-10:00. Brainwash Café & Laundromat, 1122 Folsom Street, at Langton, SF, (415) 861-3663, www.brainwash.com.

• Gallery Café Reading Series presents featured readers and open mic, fine food and drink available, first Monday monthly, sign up for open 6:30, reading 7:00 sharp. Gallery Café, 1200 Mason, at Washington, SF, (415) 296-9932. Host: Kit Kennedy, www.authorsden.com/kitkennedy.

• Mic-less Open Mic at 16th and Mission, open forum to reclaim street space, no sign up sheet or microphone, just free expression, facilitated by the Collaborative Arts Insurgency, every Thursday, 9:00; 16th and Mission BART Plaza, SF.

• Poetry at the 3300 Club featured reading and open mic, last Tuesdays monthly. Sign up to read 6:30, show 7:00, twenty-one and over, free, courtesy pub grub, Keane’s 3300 Club, 3300 Mission, at 29th Street, SF, (415) 826-6886, www.3300club.com.

• Red Light Open Mic, read for seven minutes max at this lively beer bar, Tuesdays, with host Phillip T. Nails; Michael Millican hosts on January 26, 2010, free, 7:00-9:00. Amnesia Bar, 853 Valencia Street, between 19th and 20th Streets, Mission district, SF, (415) 970-0012, www.amnesiathebar.com.

• Sacred Grounds Café has presented featured readers followed by an open reading since 1974, every Wednesday, sign up 7:00, reading 7:30. Sacred Grounds Café, 2095 Hayes, at Cole, SF, (415) 387-3859. Host: Jehanah Wedgwood, jehanah @ webtv.net.

• The San Francisco City Poetry Slam & Experimental Mic, usually second Sunday, 7:00-10:00, $7-$10 sliding scale door. Free home cooked Creole food, $100 in cash prizes, all ages, hosted by Mona Webb. Mama Calizo’s Voice Factory Theater, 1519 Mission, near Civic Center BART, SF, myspace.com/thecityslam.

• Smack Dab Open Mic, all ages, all genders may perform five minutes or less, writing, music, comedy, or performance. Hosted by Kirk Read and Larry-bob Roberts, third Wednesday monthly, free, sign up 7:30, show 8:00. Magnet, queer neighborhood health center, 4122 18th Street between Castro and Collingwood, SF, www.magnetsf.org.

CENTRAL---BERKELEY, ALBANY,OAKLAND, ALAMEDA, HAYWARD

• Albany Public Library open poetry mic after featured reading, second Tuesday monthly, 7:00-9:00, free, refreshments. Edith Stone Room, Albany Public Library, 1247 Marin Avenue, Albany, (510) 526-3720.

• Bay Area Poets Coalition (BAPC) open reading, everyone welcome, three to five minutes per reader, usually the first Saturday monthly, 3:00-5:00. Strawberry Creek Lodge, check in at front desk for meeting location, 1320 Addison Street, Berkeley. Park on the street, not in the SCL parking lot. See www.bayareapoetscoalition.org.

• Bay Area Writing Project presents Writing Teachers Write, featured readers and open reading, fourth Wednesdays of each month, except November and December, 5:00-6:30, one drink minimum. Nomad Café, 6500 Shattuck, at 65th Street, Oakland. Contact host: Judy Bebelaar, (510) 845-5430, jbebelaar @ pacbell.net.

• Berzerkeley Poetry Slam, ongoing, performance poets compete for $150 cash prizes judged by the audience, home of West Coast Champions, with featured poets, live music with 3 Blind Mice and DJ Agana, pizza and beer, hosted by Betsy Gomez, Jamie DeWolf, Lucky 7, Dre, and Ekabhumi, every Wednesday, sign up at 7:30 to perform, event at 8:30, $8 at door, all ages before 9:00. Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Avenue, (510) 841-2082, www.berkeleypoetryslam.com, www.myspace.com/berkeleypoetryslam.

• Expressions Gallery Poetry and Open Mic presents a featured reader, open mic follows, refreshments, every third Friday, Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, 7:00-9:00 (510) 664-4930, www.expressionsgallery.org.

• Last Word Poetry Series open reading follows featured poets, hosted by Dale Jensen and Diana Q, every second Friday, 7:00-9:00. Wine, beer, food. Nefeli Caffé, 1854 Euclid Avenue, at Hearst, Berkeley, (510) 841-6374.

• Poetry Express open mic with featured readers, every Monday, 7:00. Hosts: Mark States, Nancy Wogan, Jim Barnard. Mention the reading for a ten percent meal discount. Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Avenue, near University Avenue, Berkeley, e-mail: poetryexpress @ gmail.com.

• Cal Slam, to be announced, on the UC Berkeley campus, ransecabensar @ berkeley.edu.

• Frank Bette Center for the Arts Second Saturday Prose & Poetry featured readers and open mic, every second Saturday monthly, 7:00, free. Storytelling Swap, short stories or folk tales open reading, hosted by Cathy Dana, every third Thursday, 7:00-9:00. Frank Bette Center for the Arts, 1601 Paru at Lincoln, Alameda, (510) 523-6957, www.frankbettecenter.org.

• Music of the Word/La Palabra Musical Open Mic Poetry/Music, hosted by poet/percussionist Avotcja. Second and fourth Sunday of every month, no cover, 3:30-5:30. Rebecca’s Books, 3268 Adeline Street, Berkeley, (510) 852-4768, www.Avotcja.com.

• Oakland Slam, next slam to be announced, 8:00-11:00, $10. Hosted by Nazelah Jeffries and Dahled. The Oasis Restaurant, 135 12th Street, Oakland, www.oaklandslam.com.

• Oakland Golden State Slam, third Tuesday monthly, drawing starts at 8:00, show 8:35, $7. Cash prizes, all ages, slam hosted by two-time Oakland Grand Champ nerCity open mic (precedes the slam) hosted by Kristina Robertson. Grand Lake Coffee House, 440 Grand Avenue, Oakland, www.myspace.com/goldenstateslam.

• Poetry Diversified Open Mic, hosted by Tres Santos poetry ensemble: Mark G., Muteado, Chokwadi. First Fridays monthly, sign up 7:30, reading 8:00-10:30, no cover, great food. Hip Hop after party. La Estrellita Café & Bar, 446 E. 12th Street, Oakland, jokwadi @ yahoo.com.

• Tourettes Without Regrets, a controversial, lively open mic and slam, with hosts Jamie DeWolf and D Silence with DJ, first Thursday monthly, sign up 8:00, slam 8:30, $10, all ages, full bar. Cash prizes, winner Best of the Bay. Oakland Metro, 630 3rd Street, at Jefferson, Oakland, near Jack London Square, tongueartillery @ yahoo.com, www.touretteswithoutregrets.com.

CENTRAL---ORINDA, PLEASANTON, DUBLIN, WALNUT CREEK, LIVERMORE

• The Ina Coolbrith Circle meets monthly, September through May, meetings include featured speakers, open reading, poems not to exceed one typewritten page, social hour, Sundays, January 24, February 28, March 28, April 25, and May 23, 2:00. Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, www.coolpoetry.org.

• Century House Poetry Readings, hosted by Pleasanton Poet Laureate Deborah Grossman, presents featured readers, open mic follows, first Sunday of most even numbered months: February 7, June 6, 2:00-4:00, $5. Century House, 2401 Santa Rita Road, between Stoneridge and Mohr, Pleasanton. For more information: Deborah Grossman, pleasantonpoetry @ gmail.com, or Michelle Russo, Pleasanton Civic Arts: (925) 931-5350. Visit civicartsliterary.org.

• Saturday Salon, open readings in a salon setting with ten minute limit, hosted by Karen Hogan, open to the public, free, meets every third Saturday monthly, 7:00-9:30. Bring a nosh or something to drink to share, 4th Street Studios, 2235 Fourth Street, Livermore, (925) 456-3100.

• Ravenswood Readings, hosted by Livermore Poet Laureate Cher Wollard, presents featured readers, open mic follows, first Sunday of most odd numbered months: March 7, May 2, 2:00-4:00, $5. Ravenswood Historic Site, 2657 Arroyo Road, Livermore. For more information: (925) 824-4824. Visit livermorelit.org.

NORTH---MARIN COUNTY

• Sunset Poetry by the Bay at Studio 333 presents an open mic after featured readers, hosted by Martin Hickel, usually every third Wednesday monthly, 7:00-10:00. Studio 333 Art Gallery, 333 Caledonia Street, Sausalito, poetnews@sonic.net, or visit www.studio333.info.

• Marin Poetry Center open workshop open to anyone interested in reading their poem and then receiving comments as well as hearing other works in progress and sharing your thoughts. Bring ten copies of one poem to read aloud. Fourth Thursdays each month, 7:00, Falkirk Cultural Center, 1408 Mission, San Rafael. Calvin Ahlgren, (415) 497-2495, calvinahlgren @ att.net, www.marinpoetrycenter.org.

NORTH---CROCKETT, BENICIA, VALLEJO

• Benicia Poets & Friends open readings around the table, first Tuesdays monthly, 7:00-9:00, refreshments. Benicia Public Library, Doña Benicia Room, 150 East L Street, Benicia, (707) 746-4355, host is Poet Laureate of Benicia, Robert M. Shelby, rmspoet@comcast.net. Also, second Tuesday monthly, 6:30-8:30, Starbucks, Solano Center Mall, Fairfield. This small group has more discussion, bring copies of your poem. Visit www.poetrymatters.150m.com.

• Poetry open mic, first Thursday every month, 6:30. Solano County Library, Fairfield Civic Center, 1150 Kentucky Street, Fairfield, (707) 421-6500.

• 3rd Eye Collective’s Life Sentence poetry slam, last Tuesday monthly, 7:00. All ages, $5, cash prizes. Missouri Street Theater, 1125 Missouri Street, Fairfield, (707) 803-3393, watch the show online: www.myspace.com/lifesentenceshow.

• Valona Deli featured poetry reading and open mic, with host Connie Post. Terry Henry Trio jazz after the poetry. Second Sunday of every month, 4:00-6:00. Valona Deli, 1323 Pomona, Crockett, (510) 787-2022.

• Poetry by the Bay, a spoken word open mic, live bands and poets, hosted by Profet of ProfeticLyrics, every second and fourth Thursday of the month, 7:30-9:30. Panama Red Coffee Co., 289 Mare Island Way, Vallejo, www.myspace.com/profeticlyrics.

NORTH---SONOMA COUNTY

• Healdsburg Literary Guild’s Third Sunday Salon open mic hour for short works of literary intent, followed by featured writer, third Sunday monthly, 2:00-4:00. Open mic sign up 1:30. Healdsburg City Hall, 401 Grove Street, Healdsburg, healdsburgliteraryguild @ gmail.com.

• The Center Literary Café open mic with featured reader, second Tuesday monthly, 7:00-9:00, donation. Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson, Healdsburg, (707) 696-1111, centerliterarycafe @ gmail.com.

• Sonoma County Library Poetry Slam hosts an open mic followed by a competitive slam on Friday nights: January 15 (Petaluma), February 19 (Rohnert Park-Cotati), March 19 (Sonoma Valley), April 16 (Rincon Valley), Grand Slam finale May 21, Central Library, Third and E Streets, Santa Rosa, 7:00. Host: Saint, 2009 spoken word champ from Stockton, California. Each event has an open mic prior to the slam, except for the Grand Slam; you must choose between reading in the open, or participating in the slam. Open mic time limit: one poem, three minutes. Cash and gift card prizes. For branch library locations, and slam participation guidelines, call Tiffany at (707) 537-0162x5, or visit www.sonomalibrary.org/programs/PoetrySlams.html.

• Sonoma County Poet Laureate Mike Tuggle hosts an open mic, every third Saturday of the month, 11:00 a.m. The River Reader, 16355 Main Street, Guerneville, (707) 869-2240.

• Writers Read last Thursday of the month open reading with featured readers, 7:00, $5 donation, tea, coffee, and desserts available. Art Center Ukiah, 201 South State Street, at Church Street, Ukiah, (707) 463-6989, www.coloredhorse.com.

• UniverSoul Open Mic, first Saturday monthly, 5:30-7:00. Barking Dog Roasters, 18133 Highway 12, Boyes Hot Springs, (707) 939-1905. Host: Juanita J. Martin, (707) 435-1807.

NORTH---MENDOCINO & HUMBOLDT COUNTIES, UKIAH

• Open Mic, second Friday monthly, 7:00. Mountain High Coffee and Books, 16295 Highway 175, Cobb, Lake County (707) 928-0461.

• Poetry & Music Interlude, first Sunday monthly, 3:00. The Grange, Nice, (707) 274-9254, poetryshared @ yahoo.com.

• Crave Coffee Open Mic, with poetry and music, every third Friday, 7:00, free. Crave Coffee, 21037 Calistoga Street, Suite 9, Middletown, (707) 987-7303.

• Java Express Open Mic, spoken word intermingled with acoustic music, second Friday of every month, espresso bar opens at 6:00 and closes during performances, 7:00-9:00, no cover. Java Express, 14624 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, (707) 995-1065.

• Willits Open reading, every second Sunday monthly, 7:00. The Muse Center for Artful Living, 30 A East San Francisco Avenue, Willits. Co-host: Bill Bruneau: (707) 459-3390, bbruneau @ bbruneau.com.

• Third Thursday Poetry Reading, open mic with a featured poet, every third Thursday, 7:00 PST (7:30 DST), free, everyone welcome. In the old City Art building, 284 Main Street, Point Arena, (707) 882-3114.

• Accident Lab, second Thursday monthly, 7:30. Accident Gallery, 210 C Street, Old Town Eureka, (707) 445-2420, www.accidentgallery.com.

• Mendocino Coast Poets Group, featured reading and open reading, January 16, February 13, March 20, April 10, 7:00. Mendocino Hotel Conference and Media Building, Mendocino. Devreaux Baker, dbaker @ mcn.org.

• Mendocino Environmental Center & Gallery, open mic, poetry and spoken word, first Friday monthly, 5:00-8:00. Broadcast live on KMEC 105.1 FM radio. Mendocino Environmental Center & Gallery, downtown Ukiah. Tonya DiAndra, (707) 391-3046.

EAST---CENTRAL VALLEY: DAVIS, STOCKTON, MODESTO

• Poetry Night at Bistro 33, features and open mic, hosted by Andy Jones and produced by Brad Henderson, first and third Wednesday nights monthly, 9:00. Bistro 33, 226 F Street, at Third, Davis, (530) 756-4556, aojones @ ucdavis.edu, poetryindavis.blogspot.com.

• The Other Voice, poetry features plus open mic, third Friday, 7:30. Sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Davis (reading is in the library of the church located at 27074 Patwin Road), allegras @ dcn.org, www.eskimopie.net/calendar.htm.

• SickSpits’ Open Mic Nite, usually every first Tuesday, 7:00-10:00, free. Spoken word, rap, music. Technocultural Studies Building, Art Annex, UC Davis campus, see this and many other Davis/Sacramento events at www.eskimopie.net/calendar.htm.

• Modesto Poetry Slam, second Wednesday monthly, sign up 6:30, show 7:30, $5 for competing poets and general admission; limited to first 100 people. Cash prizes, hosted by Sam Pierstorff. Prospect Theater Project, 520 Scenic Drive, Modesto, www.slamonrye.com.

• S.O.S. Slam-or-Stage Open Mic, second Tuesday monthly, 6:30-8:30. Empresso Coffeehouse, 1825 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, (209) 941-0782, EmpressoCoffeehouse@gmail.com, see more Stockton events at rainflowers.org.

EAST---CENTRAL VALLEY: PARADISE, CHICO

• Chico Poetry Slam, every other Thursday, January 28, February 11 and 25, March 18, April 1, 15, and 29, May 13, $6. Hosted by Tazuo, all ages. Café Culture, 931 W. 5th Street, Chico, www.myspace.com/chicopoetryslam.

EAST--- CENTRAL VALLEY: SACRAMENTO

• Poetry Unplugged open mic before and after featured readers, every Thursday, 8:00. Hosted by frank andrick, Mario Ellis Hill, B.L. Kennedy, and Geoffrey Neil, $2 or one drink minimum. Luna’s Café, 1414 16th Street, between N and O Street, mid-town Sacramento, (916) 441-3931, www.lunascafe.com.

• Rattlesnake Readings, read-around follows the feature, second Wednesday monthly, 7:30. Hosted by Kathy Kieth. The Book Collector, 1008 24th Street, between J and K Streets, Sacramento, (916) 442-9295, richard @ poems-for-all.com.

• Brown Bag Poetry Reading, every third Thursday, noon. Bring your own favorite poems and lunch, hosted by Mary Zeppa and Lawrence Dinkins. Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento, (916) 979-9706, www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

• The Artistry of 319, third Saturday monthly, 9:00-11:00, $5. Art, poetry, and spoken word open mic, restaurant and bar. Jazzyblues Café, 319 6th Street, West Sacramento, see this and many other Sacramento events at www.eskimopie.net/calendar.htm.

• Underground Books Poetry Series, featured readers and open mike, every third Saturday monthly, 7:00. Hosted by Terry Moore, $3. Underground Books, 2814 35th Street, Sacramento, (916) 737-3333, www.mybmsf.com/terrymoore.

• Sacramento Poetry Center, featured poets and open mic, every Monday, 7:30, free. Headquarters for the Arts, 1719 25th Street, at R Street, Sacramento, (916) 979-9706, www.sacramentopoetrycenter.org.

• The Show spoken word with open mic and live band, last Saturday monthly, 7:00-9:00. All ages, $5, hosted by Terry Moore. Wo’se Community Center, 2863 35th Street, off Broadway, Sacramento. T. Mo, (916) 208-POET, www.mybmsf.com/terrymoore.

• The Blackout Poetry Series open mic, poets, singers, comedians, every last Friday, 8:00-10:30. Upper Level Lounge, Fitness Systems Healthclub, 26 Massie Court, Sacramento, (916) 681-2555. Contact: T-Mo, (916) 208-POET, www.mybmsf.com/terrymoore.

• Lincoln Poets Club monthly meetings, featured readers and open mic, second Sundays monthly, 2:00-4:00, free. The Willow Room, 12 Bridges Library, 485 12 Bridges Drive, Lincoln. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Library. Contact (916) 434-9226, or sjclark @ psyber.com.

• Mahogany Urban Poetry Series, Open Mic Poetry & Music every Wednesday, Poetry Slam the last Wednesday monthly, 9:00-11:00, $5. Hosted by Malik Khiry. All ages, restaurant offers a $6.99 dinner special for poetry night only. Queen Sheba Restaurant, 1704 Broadway at 17th Street, Sacramento, malikspeaks @ aol.com, www.myspace.com/mahoganyurbanpoetryseries.

• RNR music and poetry, every first Saturday, 7:00. Butch-N-Nellie’s Coffee Company, 1827 I Street, Sacramento, www.eskimopie.net/calendar.htm.

EAST---SIERRA FOOTHILLS: EL DORADO HILLS, GRASS VALLEY

• Our House Gallery Poetry Series open mic, third Wednesdays monthly, 7:00. Sign up by 7:00 to read. Our House Gallery, 1004 White Rock Road #400, El Dorado Hills, Montano de El Dorado Center, south of Highway 50, Latrobe Road at White Rock Road, (916) 933-4278, www.ourhousegallery.com/Poetry_Night.html.

• Nevada County Poetry Series, two featured poets and open mic, third Thursdays monthly, except July and December, 7:30, $5. The Center for the Arts, 314 West Main Street, Grass Valley, (530) 274-8384, www.thecenterforthearts.org.

SOUTH---SAN MATEO, SANTA CLARA, PALO ALTO

• San Francisco/Peninsula Writers Club Open Mic Night, ten writers read for ten minutes each, hosted by Jim Hanna, third Wednesday of every month, 7:30, free. Borders Books, 2925 El Camino Real, San Mateo, across from Hillside Shopping Center, www.cwc-peninsula.org. To read, advance sign up is required, e-mail: OpenMic @ sfpeninsulawriters.com.

• Waverley Writers poetry reading and open mic, first Friday monthly, September through June, 7:00-10:00, free. Friends Meeting House, 957 Colorado Avenue, near Greer Street, Palo Alto, (650) 424-9877.

SOUTH---SAN JOSE

• San Jose Slam, second Monday monthly, hosted by Kat Dietrich, sign up 7:15, show 8:00, $7. MACLA, 510 S. First Street, San Jose, www.myspace.com/sanjoseslam.

• San Jose/Indi Slam, fourth Monday monthly, sign up 7:30-7:45, show 8:00, $6. MACLA, 510 S. First Street, San Jose, bignatedapoet @ yahoo.com.

• Poetry First! featured readers and open mic, each first Tuesday monthly, September through May, free, 7:30. Sponsored by Poetry Center San José. Art Object Gallery, 592 North Fifth Street, San Jose, www.pcsj.org, www.artobjectgallery.com.

• Second Monday of every month featured poetry reading with open mic, 7:00. Willow Glen Library, 1157 Minnesota, San Jose, (408) 808-3045, (408) 266-1361.

SOUTH---SANTA CRUZ, MONTEREY BAY AREA, GILROY

• SubRosa Open Mic, music, poetry, performance, every Thursday, sign up 7:30, show 8:00. Donation $3-$7. SubRosa, 703 Pacific Avenue, Santa Cruz, www.santacruzart.net.

• Lost Poets Salon open reading and discussion, first Saturday monthly, 2:30 -5:00, free. Downtown Bagelry, 320 Cedar Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 425-0211.

• Kinetic Poetics, one Thursday monthly, see website for future dates, sign up 8:30, show 8:00, $5-$7 donation, no one turned away. Cowell Fireside Lounge, UC Santa Cruz, www.kineticpoetics.com.

• Flor y Canto / Flower and Song Open Mic Reading with featured reader, Watsonville Main Library, 275 Main Street, Suite 100, Second Floor Meeting Room, free. Presented by Poetry Santa Cruz and Watsonville Public Library, hosted by Adela Najarro. Meets quarterly, Thursday, 6:00. For dates, see www.poetrysantacruz.org.

• Poet/Speak Open Reading with featured reader, third Sunday monthly, presented by Poetry Santa Cruz with host Joyce Keller, second Sunday monthly, 2:00, free. Santa Cruz Public Library, upstairs meeting room, 224 Church Street, Santa Cruz, (831) 420-5700, www.poetrysantacruz.org.

• Open Mic for musicians, poets, magicians and other artists of all ages, third Saturday monthly, sign up 7:30, perform 8:00, donations accepted, refreshments provided. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County, 6401 Freedom Blvd., Aptos, (831) 477-7588, www.poetrysantacruz.org.

• Wired Poets Open Reading, every third Friday of the month, 7:00-9:00. Brian Morrisey, editor of Poesy Magazine. Mill Gallery, 131 Front Street, Santa Cruz, brian @ poesy.org.

• Legendary Santa Cruz Indi Slam, first and third Tuesdays monthly, open sign up 7:30, show 8:00. Cash prizes, $5, hosted by Kevin Holmes, DJ styling Andrew Lowe. Open slam workshop at 6:30. Cypress Lounge, 120 Union Street, Santa Cruz, info@legendarycollective.com, www.legendarycollective.com.

• Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam & Open Mic, hosted by Garland Thompson, every Wednesday, 8:00-10:00, $3 donation. East Village Coffee Lounge, 498 Washington Street, at Pearl, Monterey, gtpoet @ gmail.com.

• Garlicky Group of Poets open poetry reading, second Saturdays, 3:30-5:00, free. Booksmart, 80 East 2nd Street, Morgan Hill, (408) 778-6467, host: (408) 779-4999.