Poetic Underground KC

Creating brave spaces where artists can gather in Kansas City to use poetry as a healing and community-building tool.

Poetic Underground KC is an open mic that happens every 2nd, 4th, & 5th Wednesday, from 7:30-10pm at Inside Out KC.
Our open mics are open to all skill levels (ages 17+ recommended.)
There is no cost to attend open mics.
Our sign-up list drops at 7:30 pm the night of the event.
Spots on the list are first-come, first-served.
Poets must sign up in person.
Poets are allowed up to 4 minutes of stage time.
These events are hosted by rotating members of our leadership team.

Our workshops happen on the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Wednesday of every month.
Our workshops are open to all skill levels (ages 17+ recommended.)
There is no cost to attend workshops.
2nd Wednesdays are Generative Workshops focused on writing new material.
3rd Wednesdays are Revision Circles focused on editing & peer review.
4th Wednesdays are Performance Workshops focused on getting work ready for the stage.
All workshops begin at 6:30pm at Inside-Out KC.
Interested in teaching a workshop? Fill out our Workshop facilitator interest form.

Our themed showcases take place every 3rd Wednesday of the month at Inside-Out KC, from 7:30-10pm.
This event has a $5-20 Sliding Scale Entry fee.
This event highlights the poetic works of five carefully selected performers.
Each performer gets a 15-minute set, nearly four times longer than they would get at an open mic.
Performers are selected via an application process.
Applications open on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and close on the following first Wednesday.
Check out our annual showcase themes.
This event is hosted by our Program Director, Rylan Scott Keeling-Vallejo & one of our hosts, Kourtney “Taboo” Cunningham.

The Fountain City Poetry Slam is a competitive, elimination-style, poetry event that happens on the first Wednesday of every month at Inside Out KC, from 7:30-10pm.
This event has a $5-20 Sliding Scale Entry fee.
The sign-up list drops at 7:30pm on the night of the slam.
Poets must sign up in person the night of the event.
10 poets are chosen via a random draw. Poets advance in rounds by scoring points awarded by Designated Judges in the audience.
10 poets in the first round. 5 poets in the second round. 3 poets in the final round.
The winning poet receives a $50 cash prize.
Poets who compete regularly in the Slam season (Sept.-May) have the opportunity to compete on the regional and national level on behalf of the Fountain City Poetry Slam. Learn more here.
For more specific competition rules, click here.
This event is hosted by our slam master, Ember Matthews.