Midtown Out Loud: Open Mic Poetry & Acoustics

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Midtown Out Loud: Open Mic Poetry & Acoustics

Sacramento's largest open mic poetry and acoustic event between 2010-2016, hosted by Heather Anderson They’ve stayed. They’ve supported. Expect great art.

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THE HEART OF MIDTOWN OUT LOUD
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Featured in Sacramento News & Review and named one of the top open mics by CBS Sacramento and Sac365, Midtown Out Loud’s mission has always been –first and foremost- to connect people through spoken word and song. The comfort of the space and the “we’ve got you” atmosphere

has resulted in MOLers finding love, finding roommates, and even getting engaged. But, MOL is more than that…

As members of the MOL Family, we are proud of how rookies and seasoned professionals alike have known that they are respected and admired for their talent and bravery on our stage. We are proud that local bands have used our venue as a forgiving testing ground for new pieces; that seasoned pros have been self-effacing and supportive; that rookies have been cheered for the loudest and have received yelled-out encouragement; and that the “polished” and “raw” have both coexisted and thrived. We are proud that MOL poets and musicians have gained a reputation for not leaving directly after they have performed. They’ve been just as interested and excited about being up at the mic…as they have been when they are listening and connecting to another’s joy, comedy, angst on the stage. We have joked about our “campy” feel, but we are proud that hugs have been an expected part of the experience, that performers have felt supported - tangibly and genuinely- in their efforts to dig deep, stomp loud, and beat out their experiences in rhythm and time. Most importantly…
We are proud of how MOL has transformed into a resource and vehicle of compassion for the larger community. Over the course of several years, our Midtown cadre of poets, musicians and singers has successfully spread the MOL love beyond the café’s walls. Through you, MOL has…
**Donated turkeys and hams at Christmas to 60 homebound patients suffering from HIV and their families,
**Raised nearly $900 for the Front Street Animal Shelter and found loving families for 10 homeless dogs and cats
**Provided volunteer mentors and raised funds for a mentorship program serving at-risk youth,
**Found a home for a family living on the street,
**Raised awareness about local and statewide issues – be it LGBTQ rights or economic and social justice,
**Kept a struggling café’s doors open years past expectations and its volunteer baristas’ tip jars heavy with generosity, and even
**Donated a bike to an MOL performer who was in need of a two-wheeled mode of transportation. It has long since gone beyond words and musical notes. It is what has made MOL a family, and it is what has made the event the largest, consistent open mic for spoken word and acoustics in the Capital since 2010. Expect great hugs. Expect great local brews, wine and cups of jo! Expect warmth, cheers up at the mic, forgiveness and encouragement. Expect to be wowed, empowered, inspired and loved. Let’s raise a hearty pint together.

- Heather Anderson
Host, Midtown Out Loud

02/07/2020

Incredibly talented poet, all-around great guy, and Midtown Out Loud regular, Brandon Leake, just got the golden buzzer at America’s Got Talent! Not. Surprised. At. All. 😀

Definitely check out his work! AGT video and website below!

AGT Video: https://www.facebook.com/1558331507721016/posts/2662859920601497/?d=n

Brandon Leake’s Website:
https://www.calledtomovectm.org/videos/

Brandon Leake makes history by being the first spoken word artist to appear on AGT. Howie Mandel was so moved by Brandon's performance that he pressed his Go...

23/12/2016

Having Midtown Out Loud withdrawal? Already missing that crazy family of poets, musicians, and dreamers? Have no fear! They're all still there (save one)! Come on out to the new show, Speak Out! Sacramento every first and third Wednesday and reunite with the warmest bunch in town!

For more information, click on either of the links below. Better yet, like and follow their page and be kept abreast of all of their future events!

Speak Out! Sacramento
7:30PM (sign-ups)/ 8PM (show)
Every first and third Wednesday
Shine (1400 E Street, SacTown)

page: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakOutSacramento/
Website: http://speakoutsacramento.org/

Open Mics, Open Minds.

Sacramento's most inclusive open mic, every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at Shine Café.

Sign-ups at 7:30pm, Show at 8pm.

19/11/2016

Huge thanks to Thomas Turner from Turner Imagery for capturing the energy and love at Shine at our final show!

Love his photos? Check out his page at www.facebook.com/TurnerImagery

And, show support for local art. Note photo credit, if you republish!

Midtown Out Loud's Final Show! Huge thanks to Thomas Turner from Turner Imagery for capturing the energy and love at Shine!

Love his photos? Check out his page at www.facebook.com/TurnerImagery

And, show support for local art. Note photo credit, if you republish.

18/11/2016

The following cards were distributed at Midtown Out Loud last night as a reminder that we are all in this together. With the Southern Poverty Law Center reporting over 400 incidents of hateful harassment and intimidation since the election, it is just one more way that we can disrupt violence in our own communities.

Last night, I assumed that 250 would be plenty, but nearly all of them were taken by the end of the show. Rock on! If you are interested in making your own and passing them out, please let me know via private message and I will be happy to send you the PDF of the file.

- Heather Anderson
Host, Midtown Out Loud

17/11/2016

I woke up this morning, still buzzing from the night before, singing the last song of the final Midtown Out Loud event, and recapping what had happened only hours before.

Last night...
**55 of the most talented musicians and spoken word artists in Sacramento performed over 5 hours of inspiring song and poetry;
**150-200 audience members packed a room so tight that performers had to climb over furniture to make it to the stage; and...
**A donation bucket nearly exploded for our 29th and final charity of the month, Capital Public Radio (topping out at just under $600)!

It was amazing, and it nearly brought me to tears. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this incredible 6-year journey. Thank you so much!

As last night drew to a close at 1am, the final members of the crowd circled up, put their arms around each other, and sang out - loudly and proudly - the final song of the evening (a civil rights movement anthem and a current call-to-action):

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

Everywhere I go, I’m going to let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m going to let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

We’ve got the light of freedom, we’re going to let it shine.
We’ve got the light of freedom, we’re going to let it shine.
We’ve got the light of freedom, we’re going to let it shine.
Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine!

We just kept singing it over and over, swaying side-by-side. And, as I stood there with my arms around the shoulders of this community, and as I reflected on the darkness of the past week and the violence we’ve seen in the news leading up to and since the election, it made me so proud to stand there shining with all of you. May this community continue to serve as a beacon, and may it continue to spread goodwill to our neighbors - near and far! It has been such a privilege to host Midtown Out Loud (more so, to call you family!) these past six years. I cannot wait to see what you do next.

HUGE THANKS TO...
Lance Joseph Lawrence, Gabby, Summer and the rest of the Shine staff, Alejandro Twosense Hernandez, Erin Bledsoe, Matthew Walsh, HK Poet, Grace Loescher, Thomas Turner, Matt Pacini, the crazy-wonderful audience and the over 50 performers (Chinelo 'Bishop' Bivens, Jason, Jake, Jordan, Becca, Caliscope, Clare, Ben, Jareth Leigh Thomas, Tony Galioto, Tim Yoon, Jahari Sai, Kevin, Martín A. Purtill, Summer Joy, Charles, Leora Amir, Larry Guenther, Zach, Jeanette, Erica Ambrin Burnett, Matthew Walsh, HK Poet, Edward Nelson, Amy Scott, Kacen Maples, Andrew Medina, Happy, David AndYes Loret DeMola, King, Judy, Trina L. Drotar, Kiera, Jessica Esperanza, Rob Esperanza, Joey, Ronald Brady, Brandon Ware-McLaurin, Alejandro Twosense Hernandez, Captain Cheeseballs, Linda, Luna Lund, MariSun Mariola L, Robbie, Allen, Rick, Devina, Aaron Calvert, Christi, Alex, Tarandeep, Serena, Daivon, Houston Holloway, and Ricardo) for making this event possible.

All of that love you felt pulsating through the room...that was you. :) Thank you so much!

With sincere affection, love, and (of course) a huge hug,
Heather
Host, Midtown Out Loud

24/10/2016

Can't get enough of Midtown Out Loud musician, Jordan Magee? Wishin' you had a way to listen to his smoky croon at home? :)

Good news! His first EP just got released! Woot!
Find Jordan on ITunes and Spotify through the following links, and support local art!

ITunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/red-cheeks-wine-feat.-matthew/id1165357977

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2MBlD8GpYK1KuaPCWqDVYr

Listen to songs from the album Red Cheeks & Wine (feat. Matthew Marquez) - Single, including "A Place I Know (feat. Matthew Marquez) [EP Version]," "Red Cheeks & Wine," and "Idle Hands." Buy the album for $2.97. Songs start at $0.99. Free with Apple Music subscription.

17/10/2016

In honor of the upcoming elections, Midtown Out Loud is proud to share that its October Charity of the Month is the League of Women Voters, an organization that educates voters and empowers citizens to have an active voice in government!

BEYOND THE MUSIC, SPOKEN WORD AND GREAT PEOPLE...
Voter registration will also be available at both MOLs this month so that YOU can have your voice heard!

Spread the word, come out on Wednesday, and show your support!
Link to Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/197971030640103/?active_tab=discussion

02/10/2016

MOL Family - Your warmth, generosity and community activism were in the spotlight this past week at the Rotary Club of Midtown Sacramento!

I was invited to speak to the club about the open mic, the MOL family's compassion and advocacy in our community, and the 27 (yes, 27!) charities you have supported through the Charity of the Month program. It was quite an honor to be there as your representative!

Best part of the program?
A special performance by MOL artist, Mansuit!

Huge thanks to Rotary for highlighting the craziest and best group of poets/musicians in Sactown!

23/09/2016

Raise your glasses high, MOL Family. ;)
Shine/Midtown Out Loud was just named the "Best Place to Hear Poetry" and one of the top two open mics in SN&R's Best of Sacramento 2016!

Huge thanks to everyone that cast their vote this year and to the 100+ crazy, incredible folks who come out to the show every first and third Wednesday! Midtown Out Loud is only possible because of all of you and because of the space you create/nurture in our town. Can't wait to see you in October!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzlQWCdAkgo

21/09/2016

Hang out with the best people in town over great music, spoken word, local brew...AND AN INCREDIBLE CAUSE this Wednesday!

Midtown Out Loud is proud to share that its September Charity of the Month is the Firefighters Burn Institute, an organization that provides recovery services to burn survivors in our local fire departments and the general public!

Spread the word, come out on Wednesday, and show your support!
Link to this week's event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1111666822203877/
Link to Firefighters Burn Institute: http://ffburn.org/2015/

23/08/2016

Shine has been nominated as having one of the best open mics of Sacramento! That's us - Midtown Out Loud!

Help us celebrate this great venue by CLICKING ON THE FOLLOWING LINK UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST, and voting for Shine in the following categories under Arts & Entertainment!

**Best Open Mic
**Best Place to Hear Poetry
**Best All-Ages Music Venue

CLICK HERE TO VOTE: www.bestofsac.com

01/08/2016

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