The People's Mic

Participants from March's inaugural The People's Mic event

Last Friday night (3/13) our storied Hudson Valley Writers Center made a bit more history as the site of the People's Mic, a monthly open mic series hosted by Westchester Poet Laureate, Phylisha Villanueva. Villanueva asked all performers to "write themselves into the room." Amid the sounds of the passing trains and the intro and outro music--expertly incorporated by Villanueva--participants read and recited poetry and stories. One performer even sang acapella, accompanied by the snapping fingers and tapping toes of the audience. 

Performers showed up--and showed out--giving us glimpses into the narratives that matter to them. One performer read a moving elegy about her mother. Another read poems full of sensual metaphor and imagery. Yet another ended his piece with the powerful, "Keep your hands off my neighbor," punctuated with emphatic applause from the audience. 

Villanueva guided the performers and audience with expert precision, kindness, humor, and enthusiasm. During intermission, performers and audience members enjoyed delectable snacks and coffee and hot chocolate, generously provided by Morny Villanueva. A third of the audience and performers had never been to HVWC before--but the People's Mic has inspired them to come back--and we are happy to welcome them each time.

The Hudson Valley Writers Center is proud to champion emerging and established voices, and to be the home of 2 open mics--our long-running Third Friday Open Mic (next one is Friday, 3/20, at 7:30 p.m. at HVWC and on Zoom), and now The People's Mic (next one is Friday, 4/24, at 7:00 p.m.). We hope to see you at one of these inspiring regular events!

--Dominika Wrozynski, HVWC Program Director

Westchester Poet Laureate Phylisha Villanueva, host of The People's Mic