This story was originally published in The Sylva Herald on March 3.
City Lights Bookstore in downtown Sylva and the NetWest program of the N.C. Writers Network will be hosting their first virtual Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
“We waited for the pandemic to ease up; it hasn’t eased up,” City Lights explained in a press release. “We really think it’s time for the Jackson County branch of North Carolina Writers’ Network-West and City Lights Bookstore of Sylva to give in and try for a virtual Open Mic.”
City Lights and NCWN-West have been co-sponsoring the Open Mic since 2016.
“NCWN-West has a decades long history of events in the region, and so does City Lights Bookstore – writers west of Asheville are very lucky to have both of them,” said Catherine Carter, Jackson County representative for NCWN.
The length of time allotted for performers is dependent on the number of participants signed up.
“Prior to the pandemic, we usually had six to 10 readers per event,” Carter said. “If it’s just a few, 10-20 minutes is not too long. If it is six or more, 10 minutes is about the maximum. We ask that people respect the time frame, respect the readers and the audience, and do not promote or endorse hatred based on bias.”
Organizers have never had to deal with anything really problematic, Carter said.
“We do not critique the work that is read,” she said. “This is a space to share, listen and support.”
All writers of all capabilities are welcome to participate in the event.
“Anyone in the area who’d like to read or listen is welcome,” Carter said, “There’s no requirement to be a member of NCWN or NCWN-West.”
NCWN has been promoting, connecting and serving writers of North Carolina since the 1980s, and Open Mic Night is just one of the ways it gives back to the community. City Lights, with a very similar goal, wishes to share literature of the region with the world.
Prior to the pandemic, City Lights and NCWN-West were hosting the open mic on a monthly basis. One Friday out of every month was dedicated to the open mic, and Carter wishes to continue that theme.
“With the virtual readings, we’ll try to aim for once a month as well,” Carter said.
To attend the event, listen or perform, email Carter at ccarter@email.wcu.edu, Matt Nelson at mattnelson.poet01@gmail.com or City Lights Bookstore at more@citylightsnc.com to receive the Zoom Link.
