Community arts events you can get into
Looking for a way to get creative, meet some local artists or just try something new? You don’t have to consider yourself a poet, actor or artist to get involved. Here are a few Lansing-area events and groups where you can show up, make something and maybe meet some new people along the way. Yes, this is your sign to get out of the house!
The Poetry Room Open Mic
I host these events, so I’m definitely biased, but they’re always packed!
The Poetry Room Open Mic has 27 performance spots, and they typically fill up fast, with people starting to line up about 30 minutes before doors open. If you want to share a poem, I recommend arriving early to get your name on the sign-up sheet.
The rules are simple: one original poem and under five minutes on stage.
The night moves pretty quickly, but it’s a fun and welcoming space whether you’re reading your first poem in public or you’ve been performing for years. And if getting on stage isn’t your thing, you can always just come listen. The Poetry Room’s performance videos have reached millions of views online, so you can also check out our Instagram or TikTok for a sneak peek at what the room feels like.
Free; donations accepted.
Follow The Poetry Room at facebook.com/the517poetryroom for upcoming events, our Substack and more. We’ll also be announcing a new storytelling event soon.
Questions? Email masaki.takahashi@thepoetryroom.org.
Bare Bones Improv Open Swim
Maybe poetry isn’t your thing, and you’d rather make people laugh.
Bare Bones Improv gives Lansing residents a chance to do more than just watch local comedy. The group’s weekly Open Swim invites anyone to jump into improv games, meet other performers or simply watch and throw out suggestions.
No theater or improv experience is necessary, which is kind of the point.
Open Swim takes place every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Riverwalk Theatre.
Free to participate.
Questions? Email bareboneslansing@gmail.com.
Next Step Poetry Workshop: “Crash Ethos: Poetry and Play”
If you want to write but aren’t quite ready for an open mic, a workshop might be a good place to start. Poet Laureate Emeritus Dennis Hinrichsen will lead “Crash Ethos: Poetry and Play” as part of the Lansing Lit festival. The workshop promises to be a playful one: Participants will crash words from existing texts together to discover strange possibilities for new poems, expand their vocabulary and flex their figurative imaginations.
The workshop takes place at 11 a.m. Sept. 19 at The Robin Theatre.
Suggested registration fee: $15.
Limited to 15 participants.
Bring a couple of your favorite books, something to write on and something to write with.
Register through The Robin Theatre at therobintheatre.com.
Annual Drawing Marathon
If eight hours of drawing sounds either incredibly relaxing or slightly unhinged, this one might be for you. MSU’s Department of Art, Art History, and Design is bringing back its annual Drawing Marathon from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Summer Circle Theatre Courtyard in front of Kresge Art Center.
The free event includes guided and collaborative drawing from both life and imagination. Supplies are provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own.
You also don’t need to stay for all eight hours, and you definitely don’t need to consider yourself an artist. There’s no experience necessary. Just show up, draw something and have fun.
Michigan State Poetry Club
For MSU students looking for a regular poetry community, keep an eye out for the Michigan State Poetry Club.
The student organization focuses on writing, discussing and sharing all forms of poetry through regular meetings and campus showcases. The group typically meets on Wednesdays and will be announcing its meeting time and location soon.
For more information, email slamteammsu@gmail.com.
The Poetry Room will also share the club’s updated meeting information on our social media once it’s announced.
