COVER STORY
Chatty On The Mic Area open mics continue to benefit the artist and the audience
Erika Dionne Roberts and Marcus Patrick Ellsworth
By Ray Zimmerman Pulse contributor
“
There is a joy that comes from watching a performer become better at their craft with each return to an open mic.”
P
OETRY IS MEANT TO BE READ ALOUD, AND CHATTANOOga poets and writers have rediscovered the importance of performing their work before an audience. Over the past two decades, opportunities to do so have multiplied dramatically, to the surprise and delight of our writing community. On the importance of open mics, Chattanooga poet Marcus Patrick Ellsworth said, “Any creative work cannot be fully realized until it is presented to an audience. Open mics are one way to meet that need. A performer can discover their own strengths and weaknesses, get feedback on how a piece may be improved, make connections with other artists, and build their first audience. At the very least, an open mic can be therapeutic for the soul which simply wants to create and
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have their creations presented to others.” Ellsworth continued, “For me at least, there is a joy that comes from watching a performer become better at their craft with each return to an open mic. Sometimes, they go on to become incredible artists. Sometimes they merely reveal that they are incredible people. Either way, being on the periphery of their journey is wonderful. I used to attend every open mic I could including The Speakeasy, Rhyme N Chatt events, and Tremont Tav-
ern’s open mic. I would even seek out open mics while visiting other cities. I miss the camaraderie that comes with being a regular at an open mic.” The Tremont Tavern open mic which Marcus mentioned takes place on Tuesday nights and is a music event. Marcus got creative and performed his poetry there, backed up by two musicians. Visitors to a few of the open mic venues soon learn that no two opportunities are alike. The open mic at Barnes and Noble is one opportunity for writers to craft their work. KB Ballentine was already a participant when she took the helm as producer and MC in 2002. This group meets on the final Friday of every month, except November and Decem-
