READINGS

Most literary readings and performances in Rochester are listed on the Arts & Cultural Council Calendar. But only if the group giving the reading is a member of the Arts and Cultural Council.

Admittedly that covers most of the big names, which is to say, the major cultural institutions in Rochester involved with writing -- the universities, Writers & Books, BOA editions, and so on.

Each of those institutions has its own readings program as well. So a tour of their web sites will generally give you a good list of the literary performances they provide.

Literary groups may or may not be members of the Arts Council and may or may not give regular readings. Some, like Rochester Poets and Just Poets, give frequent and regular readings. Groups that appear at Barnes & Noble in Pittsford often (but not always) appear there regularly at the same time of the monththave regular.

Open Mic nights, are a different story. Those can occur regularly, or spontaneously, or irregularly, at any of several small cafes. Below are a few of the more regular ones, but if you're planning on going to an Open Mic, be sure to call first and confirm that it's definitely on.

Open Mic Spots:

Daily Perks

Pure Kona Open Mic Poetry Readings

Thursdays 8:00-10:00PM

389 Gregory Street

Rochester, New York

585-271-2340

Free

www.dailyperkscoffeehouse.com/

Fairport Village Coffee & Wine Bar

Pure Kona Open Mic Poetry Readings

Liftbridge Lane, just off Rt. 250, on the canal

Fairport, New York

585-271-2340

www.fairportvillagecoffee.com/

Verb Café

Wide Open Mic, hosted by Norm Davis, editor of the HazMat Review

Writers & Books

740 University Avenue

Rochester, NY 14607

585.473.2590

Free to Writers & Books members, $3 for the general public