A little over a year since its humble beginning, “Say the Word” Poetry Group (STW) has created a thriving poetry community in Santa Rosa Beach and is now broadening their horizons and starting a monthly poetry open mic in Niceville. The open mics will be held at The French Quarter Bar & Grill, located at 714 Howell Road, the first Wednesday of every month, and the first one will be held Wednesday, June 5th at 7:00pm.
In March of 2012, Maria Schabla started a monthly poetry open mic in Santa Rosa Beach with hopes to create a platform for local writers, poets & spoken word artists to be able to perform their work for the community and to create an environment where writers can meet other writers and network and collaborate.
The poetry open mic forum quickly became popular with the locals and since its humble beginnings, STW has hosted 18 open mics and produced several poetry events, to include performances at Share the Shelter Music Festival in Gulf Place, a Multi-Media Poetry show at the Hidden Lantern Bookstore & Art Gallery in Rosemary Beach and a poetry reading to celebrate national poetry month at Sundog Books in Seaside.
“It's been an exciting year and I'm really looking forward to starting an open mic in Niceville” says Schabla. “It’s a fantastic city, filled with some very talented artists and people from all over the world. I hope to create a laid back environment for artists to be able share their work with the community, meet other artists and have some fun with poetry and music. Northwest Florida State College has a fantastic writers group, The Raider Writers, led by English Professor Vickie Hunt, whom we will be working very closely with”.
The open mics feature a very easy going and supportive environment, where poets are encouraged to share their work and develop not only their writing, but also their performance skills. CD Harris, a popular spoken word performance artist likens the open mics to a warm hug from an old friend. “I love the personality that the open mics have taken on, everyone is very welcoming, and every style of poetry is represented and appreciated!” says Schabla “And you don’t have to be a poet to enjoy the open mics, many non-writers come and enjoy the atmosphere and just something different”.
The open mic also features a musical intermission which spotlights “up and coming” local musicians every month. Sarah Clauson, an extremely talented singer-songwriter and local photographer will be making her debut solo appearance and is our first featured musician.
There is no cover and all are welcome.
To learn more about, “Say the Word,” visit them on Facebook/saythewordpoetry or call 850.420.4139. You can also email mariaschabla@gmail.com for more information.
In March of 2012, Maria Schabla started a monthly poetry open mic in Santa Rosa Beach with hopes to create a platform for local writers, poets & spoken word artists to be able to perform their work for the community and to create an environment where writers can meet other writers and network and collaborate.
The poetry open mic forum quickly became popular with the locals and since its humble beginnings, STW has hosted 18 open mics and produced several poetry events, to include performances at Share the Shelter Music Festival in Gulf Place, a Multi-Media Poetry show at the Hidden Lantern Bookstore & Art Gallery in Rosemary Beach and a poetry reading to celebrate national poetry month at Sundog Books in Seaside.
“It's been an exciting year and I'm really looking forward to starting an open mic in Niceville” says Schabla. “It’s a fantastic city, filled with some very talented artists and people from all over the world. I hope to create a laid back environment for artists to be able share their work with the community, meet other artists and have some fun with poetry and music. Northwest Florida State College has a fantastic writers group, The Raider Writers, led by English Professor Vickie Hunt, whom we will be working very closely with”.
The open mics feature a very easy going and supportive environment, where poets are encouraged to share their work and develop not only their writing, but also their performance skills. CD Harris, a popular spoken word performance artist likens the open mics to a warm hug from an old friend. “I love the personality that the open mics have taken on, everyone is very welcoming, and every style of poetry is represented and appreciated!” says Schabla “And you don’t have to be a poet to enjoy the open mics, many non-writers come and enjoy the atmosphere and just something different”.
The open mic also features a musical intermission which spotlights “up and coming” local musicians every month. Sarah Clauson, an extremely talented singer-songwriter and local photographer will be making her debut solo appearance and is our first featured musician.
There is no cover and all are welcome.
To learn more about, “Say the Word,” visit them on Facebook/saythewordpoetry or call 850.420.4139. You can also email mariaschabla@gmail.com for more information.