Cost of Admission: $5-10 sliding scale

Doors Open 

7:00 PM

Open Mic Begins

7:30 PM

Community Announcements

8:30 PM

Open Mic Resumes

8:45 PM

Feature

9:30 PM

Design by Rich Lopez 

About the Feature

Duy Doan is a queer Vietnamese poet from Texas. A Kundiman fellow, he received an MFA in Poetry from Boston University, which he is still recovering from. He is the Director of the Favorite Poem Project at BU and his poetry has appeared in Slate, The Cortland Review, and elsewhere. He likes cats, soccer, nice people, and other pretty things.

Duy’s poems are open to loss, temporary and permanent; loss that comes from violence (family and war), from love, from neglect. As a first-generation Vietnamese American queer poet from Texas, he also writes about losing his grasp of the Vietnamese language and customs, a loss that happens over time, across generations. He believes that loss can be redeemed through compassion and connection.

About East Meets Words

In March 2005, EMW Bookstore held its first monthly open mic. Now, over 132 open mics later, East Meets Words is one of the longest running Asian American open mic series in the country, and one of the main hubs of Asian American art and activism on the east coast.

At the open mic, participants can sign up to sing, spit, dance, play music, or share a story. Everyone is welcome. The space is especially appreciative of work that challenges stereotypes and amplifies marginalized voices. Time is set aside at each open mic for community announcements, meant to raise awareness about social justice issues in the greater Boston area.

Each month, we also feature an Asian / Pacific Islander artist or group, who will perform a full-length set after the open mic portion of the evening. Past features have ranged from nationally known artists such as Beau Sia and Kelly Tsai to local creatives like you and me. 

We strive to create a safer space and a platform for artists and non-artists to perform work of all stages. Everyone is welcome to attend and sign up on the open mic. The space is especially appreciative of work that challenges stereotypes and amplifies marginalized voices - prioritizing API performers. Time is set aside at each open mic for community announcements, meant to raise awareness about social justice issues in the greater Boston area.

Accessibility

Gallery space is chair accessible. We will prioritize chair access in the aisles. Please find or contact an EMW Staff member for assistance with entry through front door.

Two single-stall, gender-neutral restrooms are available, one up a flight of stairs and one on the main floor with a step from the main entrance. 

Please come fragrance free! For the health and safety of organizers, panelists, and other attendees, we ask you not to wear scented products or clothing that has recently been smoked in. More information here.

Wellness Squad members will be present at the event to facilitate emotional and community safety.