PAST: OPEN MIC: Monthly: *Sparkle* Queer-Driven Open Mic for Poets, Musicians and All Styles of Performance every first SUN of the month from 8:00pm - 10:00pm at Busboys and Poets 14th & V St NW, All ages, $5

The fabulous and funny hosts of *Sparkle*
Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou

New Day, New Time, New Location!
*Sparkle* now on the Sunday Night at 14th & V

and every first Sunday of the month
8:00pm - 10:00pm

All ages, $5 online or at the door

*Sparkle* is a queer-driven open mic for all hosted by Regie Cabico & Danielle Evennou. Bring your poems, songs, comedy... After 5 years of Wednesdays at 5th & K, Sparkle has moved to the first Sunday of the month at 14th &V! Signup begins at 7:50pm Reading starts at 8pm. 5 minute slots.  Please refrain from works that are homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic or any kind of "phobic" as SPARKLE is a free-spirited queer friendly space for all. $5 tickets are available on line midnight before the day of the event a limit of 4 tickets per person.

Busboys and Poets
14th & V St NW
Metro: U St or take the Circulator bus, Woodley Park/14th St/McPherson Sq line, right to 14th & U

PAST: POETRY: *Sparkle* Queer-friendly Open Mic at Busboys & Poets 5th & K WED, July 27th & every fourth WED from 9:00pm - 11:00pm, $4

*Sparkle* queer-friendly open mic features NYC poet Micheal Motlack

Wednesday, July 27th

and every fourth Wednesday

9:00pm - 11:00pm

$4

*Sparkle* is a monthly queer-friendly poetry reading and *open mic* hosted by local poets and spoken word artists Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou. This month's feature is Michael Montlack from NYC. If you want to sign up for the open mic, please arrive at 8:50pm. The slots are 3-4 minutes long and *all styles* - poets, singers, storytellers, comedians, musicians - are welcome to perform!

See facebook invite for this month's event for more info about the feature.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass or walk from Gallery Place or Mt Vernon Sq Metro.

PAST: POETRY: Capturing Fire 2014! A Queer Spoken Word Summit and Slam comes to a close at Busboys and Poets 14th & V on SUN, June 1st, 8:00pm *Sparkle*, $5, followed by Final Slam and Closing Party from 9:30pm - 11:30pm, $10 for students and those who attended preliminary slam on Saturday

Capturing Fire - A Queer Spoken Word Summit and Slam!
Friday, May 30th - Sunday, June 1st
Free and low-cost, $10 or less, events listed below!
If you plan to attend 5 or more events, best to purchase the entire festival pass for $50

Sunday, June 1st  

Extra-Special *Sparkle* - Queer Open Mic
Note: This event occurs monthly on the first Sunday
8:00pm - 9:30pm
$5
Free with the event pass
Extra-Special *SPARKLE* at Capturing Fire 2014.

Slam Finals and Capturing Fire Closing Party 9:30pm - 11:30pm
$10 tickets for students or those who have ticket from Saturday night preliminary slam, Free for those with full festival pass, $20 otherwise

Busboys and Poets
14th & V St NW
Metro: U St or take any of the 90 line buses along Florida Ave/ U St or the 50 line buses along 14th St or the Circulator bus to 14th & U

PAST: POETRY: Monthly: *Sparkle* Queer-friendly Open Mic at Busboys and Poets 5th & K every fourth WED from 9:00pm - 10:40pm, 8:40pm sign-up, All ages, $5

*SPARKLE* Monthly Queer Open Mic for all! at Busboys and Poets 5th & K St, NW
every fourth Wednesday

9:00pm - 10:40pm, sign-up 8:40pm

All ages, $5, you can buy tickets online
if tickets are available, you can also get them at the door

*Sparkle*Open Mic Poetry is a queer-friendly and focused reading series that has featured an array of LGBT-dedicated poets. All are welcome! Maximum of 15 slots for spoken word and acoustic or acapella musicians (no CD playback please) during the open mic.  4+ minutes, which is basically 2 short poems or 1 long one, not to exceed 5 minutes.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass or walk from Gallery Place or Mt Vernon Sq Metro.

PAST: POETRY: *Sparkle* Monthly Queer Open Mic at Busboys and Poets 5th & K on WED, July 25th from 9:00pm - 10:45pm, sign up 8:45pm, all ages, $5

*Sparkle* Monthly Queer Open Mic -

Wednesday, July 25th

9:00pm - 10:45pm, sign up 8:45pm

All ages, $5 

This Open Mic is open to all. Feature this month is Candice Danielle. Co-hosted by Regie Cabico and Danielle Evennou. Read more here.

Busboys and Poets 

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Mt Vernon Sq or Gallery Pl and walk or take the Circulator to stop closest to 5th & Mass

PAST: The Final event as part of the "Music on the Mall" Series will feature Sparkle DC Poets in a Family-Friendly Reading Celebrating Gender and Racial Diversity, along with bass, outside near the NGA on 7th St NW on TUES, August 29th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm, Free

The DCCAH presents "Music on the Mall"
Outdoor Tuesday Concert Series on The Mall
Tuesday, May 28th - Tuesday, August 29th

12:00pm - 1:00pm
Free

"Music on the Mall" will take place on Tuesdays at noon on The Mall on 7th between Madison Dr & Jefferson Dr. The free lunchtime performance series will feature by D.C. musicians and spoken word artists every Tuesday at noon from May 28th - August 29th. Remaining shows include:

Sparkle DC – August 27th
  Family friendly poetry celebrating Washington, DC, Gender and Racial Diversity with Bass

The series is presented by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, in conjunction with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's "Art in Transit" Program and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

The National Mall
7th St NW between Madison & Jefferson Dr (map)
Metro: Archives - Navy Memorial 

PAST: Highlights post for WED, Oct 24th, All events are Free, by donation or $10 or less

*Sparkle* hosts

Highlights Post for Wednesday, October 24th
Please click links for more info

"Poetry in Bloom"Monthly Writing Group
led by Danial Orange on October 24th & November 28th
6:00pm - 7:00pm
All ages, by donation, $5 - $10 suggested

"Poetry in Bloom" is a monthly poetry writing group that meets each 4th Wednesday of the month at BloomBars, designed to plant the seeds for new poetry by free-writing using writing prompts, sharing our work, and getting some practice reading aloud. Please bring paper and pen! Danial Orange has been active in the DC poetry scene for the past two years. During that time, he's been a featured performer at Bloombars, Red Alert Wednesdays, Spirits & Lyrics, the Looking Glass Lounge, and the legendary Spit Dat. His ability to write short poems earned him induction into the Haiku Hitmen group and last year one of his haiku was nominated for a NUSPA (National Underground Spoken-Word Poetry Award). Read more.

Bloombars
3222 11th St, NW
Metro: Columbia Heights

*SPARKLE* presents Capturing Fire Poets reading from "Stoked" an Anthology on International Queer Poetry + Spencer Retelle

9:00pm - 10:40pm
All ages, $5

Monthly Queer Open Mic for all. Read more!

Busboys and Poets 
5th & K St, NW
Metro: Mt Vernon Sq or Gallery Pl

Kostume Karaoke: Take a Costume/Leave a Costume Edition
This week's edition will be at Solly's on U St
8:00pm - 1:00pm
Free, 21+
Bring a costume to donate to KK or ask the DJ if you want to take one home! As always, they will have a supply of awesome outfits, wigs, and hats for you to enjoy.
Solly's 
11th & U St, NW
Metro: U St

Karaoke in Largo, MD for those of you who live out there
Wednesday's Open Mic & Karaoke at Wow Wingery
7:00pm - 11:00pm
Free
Wow Cafe & Wingery
800 Shoppers Way Suite E - Largo, MD
Metro: Largo

PAST: POETRY: It's time for some *Sparkle* again this WED, Nov 25th - Queer Driven Poetry & Open Mic Night at Busboys 5th & K, 9:00pm - 11:00pm $4

Poetry Open Mic - *SPARKLE*

Wednesday, November 25th

9:00pm - 11:00pm

$4

Monthly queer-driven open mic poetry event - every 3rd Wednesday - hosted by the funny and talented Regie Cabico, pictured, and the fabulous Danielle Evennou.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Mt Vernon Square or Gallery Place and walk or take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass

PAST: “DC By The Book” new website Launch Party at Busboys and Poets 5th & K, Dramatic Readings and more! WED, March 27th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm, All ages, Free

“DC By The Book” new website Launch Party at Busboys and Poets 5th & K - Dramatic Readings and more!
Wednesday, March 27th
6:00pm - 8:00pm
All ages, Free
Stay after for *Sparkle* Monthly Open Mic 9:00pm, $5

Hear dramatic readings from some of the best fiction featuring the District. Find out about DC By the Book - a new website featuring a custom map that allows anyone to explore the landscape of DC through the eyes of local and nationally-known authors - and learn how you can explore the city through literature! The launch will be MC’d by former DC Citypaper Arts Editor Mark Athitakis who was the lead judge for Citypaper’s 2013 Fiction issue. Old school music from the 20s to the 70s will be mixed by DJ 2Tone Jones.

Authors Thomas Mallon, Watergate, Ann McLaughlin, The House On Q Street, and editor Adam McKible When Washington Was In Vogue, will be at the event as special guests with readings and a Q&A about why they chose DC neighborhoods as the setting for their stories.  There will also be a dramatic reading by Chivonnie Gius from “Common Law,” featured in Edward P. Jones‘ short story collection All Aunt Hagar’s Children. Launch curator Kim Roberts, who’s created several walking tours of literary DC (and is editor of Beltway Online Poetry Quarterly), will read from The House On Q Street.

DC By the Book - How it works:  When a user clicks on a map icon, the popup box displays a passage from a work of fiction describing that location, as well as the book title (which links to the DC Public Library catalog record for the item), author, and other ancillary information about the work. Users will be able to browse the map or search using various filters, so that they could, for example, view only locations linked to a single author, or locations only described in crime fiction, or locations from a specific era.

Busboys and Poets

5th & K St, NW

Metro: Take the Circulator bus to 5th & Mass or walk from Gallery Place or Mt Vernon Sq Metro.

PAST: HIGHLIGHTS: More Free and low-cost events this SUN, August 3rd

Highlights post for more free and low-cost events on Sunday, August 3rd

Silly Time Outdoor Yoga in Meridian Park

9:30am - 10:30am

Free, bring a yoga mat or towel

All ages welcome, donation-based, $8- $10 suggested
With Love DC tanks and post cards will be for sale after class.
Can't make it to this gathering? Check out their others here.

Metro: Columbia Heights or S2 or S4 bus to 16th & Euclid

Sun Aug 3: The House That U Built w/ All Good Funk Alliance, Lisa Frank, Meegs, Synz, Vanniety Kills

"House Music to Move your Soul"

3;00pm - 11:00pm

Free, 21+
All Good Funk Alliance * djmeegs * DJ Lisa Frank * Synz * DJ Vanniety Kills
Dirty Bar
1223 Connecticut Ave NW

Metro: Farragut North or take the 42 bus there

Adele Hampton's DC Farewell Feature + Open Mic as part of monthly *Sparkle* Queer Open Mic 

8:00pm - 10:00pm

All ages, $5

Busboys and Poets 

14th & V St NW

Metro: U St or take the Circulator bus or any metro bus that goes to 14th & U St 

PAST: POETRY: The Annual "Ignition" Queer Spoken Word Capturing Fire Summit & Slam Fundraiser at the Black Fox Lounge in Dupont Circle this TUES, June 11th from 7:00pm - 10:00pm, $10, 21+

"Ignition" Queer Spoken Word Capturing Fire Summit & Slam Fundraiser at the Black Fox Lounge in Dupont Circle
Tuesday, June 11th
7:00pm - 10:00pm
$10, 21+

Please note, The Black Fox Lounge is on the smaller side, best to arrive early if you'd like to get a seat instead of standing.

"Ignition" is an evening of short readings that will showcase twenty diverse local queer voices and fortify DC’s queer poetry community in preparation for Capturing Fire. This event will serve as an essential source of funding and its proceeds will allow artists from around the world to convene and participate in this unique weekend of competition and community building for queer poets.

Featuring the following fabulous local poets: Diana Maria Vashti , Danielle Badra, Lindsay Tauscher, Jessica Genia Simon, Eryca Kasse, Adele Hampton, Natalie E. Illum (one of the co-founders of Capturing Fire who recently became the Beltway Poetry Slam Champion), Tanne Stephens, Saida Agostani, Poetryzchyld, Ashley Peel, Niki Herd, Joseph Ross, Danielle Evennou (who co-hosts Sparkle, monthly Queer Open Mic at Busboys and Poets 5th & K along with Regie Cabico, the main organizer of Capturing Fire), Lizzy Swane, Sophia Walker and more!

The Capturing Fire Summit and Slam is sponsored by the DC Center for the LGBT Community and will take place June 14th-16th, 2013, at various locations throughout Washington, DC. Capturing Fire is an international spoken word and poetry festival where queer-identified writers from Europe, the United States and Canada gather for poetry slam finals after three days of panels, workshops and performances. Founded in 2010 by Regie Cabico and Natalie E. Illum, in partnership with Split This Rock, its mission is to increase the visibility and exposure of GLBTQ performance artists. Capturing Fire aims to bring more credibility and awareness to the specific and diverse experiences of queer artists. Interested in attending this weekend, the entire festival pass is just $50, most individual events are just $10, including the Grand Slam on Saturday night from 6:00pm - 9:00pm at Town Danceboutique this year, right near the U St Metro. 

Black Fox Lounge

1723 Connecticut Ave NW  

Metro: Dupont Circle, Q St exit, walk north on Connecticut, past R St, on the right side of the street.