The Apartment Poets

The Apartment Poets are a spoken word collective originating in 2002 whose main objective is to produce social change through their poetry. Members are Katrina, Kristie, Kevin and Sami. They kicked off their semester by hosting a slam, which has not happened in Gainesville for quite a while. It was held at the Reitz Union Colonnade, which rocked because its outdoor location drew several onlookers into the crowd. Katrina hosted the Word of Mouth Slam, and the judges selected Jermaine from the Souljahs of Verbal Xpressions as the winner, followed closely by What, and Lacey of New Words Order. Other participants were Erin from the Souljahs, Johny Rocket, PR, and Sami Jenkins. The Apartment Poets will be hosting monthly slams after Exhale at the Orange and Brew, in the Reitz Union (UF Campus) at 9 PM. The next slam is October 26th. Check out their Spanish Poetry Night at Wild Iris Books starting November 19 at 7 PM.

Civic Media Center's "Po Jam"

The Civic Media Center & Library, Inc., founded in October of 1993, provides community access to information and points of view not carried, or incompletely carried, in the corporate, mainstream media. The CMC is an alternative library and infoshop dedicated to presenting materials that challenge the status quo. The CMC is a resource for social change activists working to create just and sustainable communities. The CMC is a community space that hosts political, educational and cultural events. The CMC connects the community not only to a large collection of alternative materials, but to other organizations, projects and events as well. We host first-hand activist histories, progressive speakers, video screenings, a weekly poetry jam, plays, music shows & other events. Every Thursday night at 10P.M., you can expect a vesitile evening of open mic poetry, singing, and musical talent. Come be a part of Gainesville's longest running poetry open mic!

The Word Is Spoken

The Word Is Spoken! is a continuing poetry series featuring local poets, out-of-town guests, music, performance art, and OPEN MIC.

Our mission: To showcase local and out-of-town talent, discover and encourage new poets, and turn the whole community onto poetry.

The Word Is Spoken! started early in 2007 in the Downtown Library (Gainesville, Florida). In June, TWIS! graduated to Friday nights at a downtown club, and now can be found almost every Saturday at TIM & TERRY’S in midtown from 7 to 9. All shows are FREE. All ages are welcome, but please be aware that some content may not be suitable for younger audiences, so parental discretion is encouraged.

TWIS! has featured poets from Orlando, Tampa, Saint Augustine, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. Upcoming shows will include guests from Jacksonville, Miami, Valdosta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boulder, and … well, the list goes on and on!

For more information or to participate, please e-mail David Maas at thewordisspoken@hotmail.com or thewordisspoken@aol.com, or visit www.myspace.com/thewordisspoken or GainesvilleBands.com.

Exhale

I walked into a crowded Orange and Brew Pub at the University of Florida’s Reitz Union, and was approached by a young woman asking me if I wanted to “exhale.” I said of course, and my name was added to a list. Hosted by the Asian American Student Union, this open mic has been around Gainesville for a while. Its original location was in someone’s house, but it has been held at the UF Ampitheatre, and now at the Orange and Brew. Exhale draws a diverse crowd and is a vital element of Gainesville’s poetry nightlife. Their event is held every other Wednesday at 8:30 PM with the exception of the monthly Apartment Poet slams held at this venue, in which case Exhale will begin at 7:30. They will be hosting special events throughout the year. For more information call the AASU @ 352-392-1665, x325, or email Shawn Hu at eskaywho@gmail.com.