About Us
Founded by longtime journalist and former Village Voice columnist Mike Geffner, The Inspired Word spoken word/poetry series began in March 2009, on a blizzard of a Monday night at a sleepy vegan organic restaurant along Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills.
Like most new things, the event had its kinks.
The microphone didn’t work right, the stage sucked.
Hardly anyone showed. A dozen or so. Tops.
And you could barely hear the poets above the chatter of other customers who clearly came only to eat dinner, not listen to poetry.
Yet, less than a single year from that dubious start and after the vegan organic restaurant abruptly went belly up, The Inspired Word drew upwards of 90 people to its Manhattan debut at the Greenwich Village club, (le) poisson rouge, in Jan. 2010, before quickly establishing itself as one of the hottest spoken word/poetry series in New York City.
The Inspired Word has gone on to feature the likes of Golden Globe Award winning actress Jill Eikenberry, Golden Globe/Emmy nominated actress Amber Tamblyn, TV comedian John Fugelsang, Grammy nominated singer Carolyn Malachi, American Idol finalist Anwar Robinson, Hollywood exec Eve Brandstein, award-winning crime novelist Marcus Sakey, and HBO Def Poetry stars Suheir Hammad, Oveous Maximus, Shihan, Patricia Smith, Rachel McKibbens, Lemon Andersen, Beau Sia, Regie Cabico, Willie Perdomo, and Vanessa Hidary. Also, with its ever-growing open mic (open to ALL types of artists – not just spoken word artists and poets, but musicians and comedians as well), the series has given voice to a slew of stunning emerging talent.
The Inspired Word has produced fundraisers for breast cancer research, inner city literacy, and a greener environment. It has staged both poetry and storytelling slams, GLBT and Best American Poetry nights, and walked on the wild side with erotica and burlesque events.
The events are hosted by HBO Def Poetry star Gemineye (showcase night every Wednesday), NYC spoken word poetry legend Nathan P. (Open Mic Joint), queer poet Aimee Herman (erotica and GLBT events), and actor/comedian Erica Bradshaw (storytelling slams).
Our venues (all in downtown Manhattan, NY):
116 MacDougal, 116 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker Street and Minetta Lane), Manhattan, New York City – EVERY Wednesday night, 7-10pm. Open mic signup @ 6:30pm. NO AGE LIMIT. http://116macdougal.com/
One and One Bar/Restaurant, downstairs Nexus Lounge, 76 East 1st Street (corner of 1st Avenue), Manhattan, NY – EVERY Monday night, 7-11pm. NO AGE LIMIT. http://www.oneandoneny.com/
Nuyorican Poets Café, 236 East 3rd Street (between Avenue B and C), Manhattan, New York City - One Tuesday of every month, 9pm-midnight. Open mic signup first-come-first-serve. NO AGE LIMIT. http://www.nuyorican.org/
The Gallery at LPR (le Poisson Rouge), 158 Bleecker Street (between Sullivan and Thompson), Manhattan, NY – Specialty events. Please check schedule for dates and times. Age limit 21+. http://lepoissonrouge.com/
Soho Playhouse, downstairs Huron Club, 15 Vandam Street, Manhattan, New York City – Special events. Please check schedule for dates and times. http://sohoplayhouse.com/
The vibe is addictive, the community supportive, and the nights always inspiring.
The Inspired Word mission: to celebrate poetry, performance, and the spoken word; to inspire action, change, and creativity; and to tear down the walls separating us by finding unity through the arts.
“It’s not just a series…it’s a movement.”