Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, June 5, 2025 ~ 8:00 - 10:00 pm

When checking in at the door, be prepared to share your table and seat number.

Tickets in Advance Online: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (till 6pm day of event)

If an event is not sold out, tickets will also be sold at the door.

Tickets at the door*: $9-members, $12-nonmembers, $5-poets

(*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity)

*Please Note that purchasing a Poet Ticket is a commitment to share your poetry on stage.

If you don't plan to read, then don't purchase a poet level ticket.

Water and Pop for $1.00 is offered at the bar.

Attendees may bring their own food and drink or bring in food and drink from the Rhythm Kitchen.

Experience a diverse open mic with artists from all backgrounds in a positive and inspiring atmosphere.

Peoria’s Open Mic for Poetry is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month.

Hosts: Ryan Lowry and Whitney Jensen with DJ YV

Featured Poet: Aaron (Just Aaron) Bell is a national spoken word artist, host, and creator of the Hustle City poetry slam team, all based out of Saint Louis, Missouri. He first explored and expressed his freedom through spoken word in 2022 and since then has traveled across the nation. His inspiration comes from young black men and their unhealthy relationship with their emotions. His goal is to get men to acknowledge their emotions and communicate them more effectively. He has been featured at Living Legends at the Missouri History Museum where 7 Black Men were being Acknowledged for doing positive things in the community. He has also presented poems at Guns Down Hoops Up, a gun violence prevention or intervention event curators by Mission Saint Louis, as well as the Stay Power Awards which acknowledged and encouraged members of the community to continue striving to be a positive influence in their community.

How to Choose Seats on www.309tix.com

Click on any blue dot. (blue dots = available seats, gray dots = sold seats)

Hold mouse over any blue dot on the floor plan.

Click on the seat of your choice.

Choose a member or nonmember level ticket. ONLY Members of Contemporary Art Center may purchase member level tickets. A member purchasing tickets on behalf of a nonmember must choose a nonmember ticket. A ‘Friend’ membership is for an individual, entitling only that individual to receive a discount. A ‘Family’ membership would entitle the individual and members of their household (defined as a spouse and any children under 16 years of age living at the same address) to receive a discount. Therefore, buying member level tickets for friends is not included, even if you obtain a membership.

After clicking on the seat, the floor plan indicates your choice with a √.

Choose another seat or proceed to ‘checkout’