Culture Phx

Saturday, March 15th 2003 forever changed the trajectory of my life when I asked one question:

“Is there an open mic goin’ on tonight?”

Expressions of You Coffeehouse in West End of Louisville, KY provided myself and others a launchpad to grow as hosts, artists and activists while being a platform for hundreds of people to share their heart and their art.

“One Mic Stand” is a nod to Expressions and every open mic that uses a mic stand to change lives. It’s also a play on the phrase “one night stand” and a nod to Donny Hathaway’s “For All We Know” whose lyrics are a metaphor for the relationship between a performer and their audience. This family-friendly open mic is more than a typical poetry show: it is a platform providing writers of all skill levels opportunities to grow while building community.