Tongue & Groove Open Mic

Every second Sunday, Tongue & Groove fills the gallery with live performance art.

We are an open mic show—a hyperlocal and embodied community of poets, musicians, and storytellers. (Sorry, no comedy).

Whether you perform or just listen, to attend Tongue & Groove is to co-create the show. Your presence and attention charge the room and change the energy.

So come for the entertainment and the opportunity to be heard—and stay to defy the attention economy, to remember that you are not a commodity, and to renew your very humanity.

List opens at 7. Show starts at 7:30. Slots are 7 minutes.

No cover. Beer, soda, and soda water available. Donations gratefully accepted.

Covers welcome. Originals encouraged!

What to Expect

We provide a mic (of course), instrument pick-up (although the gallery is cozy enough that many musicians just go acoustic), and a box drum. We encourage sing-alongs, kazoo-alongs (bring your own kazoo), and other artistic collaboration—spontaneous or planned.

Each month, we close the show with a reading of what we call The Dovetail—a poem collectively written by the performers and audience alike, one line at a time, and read by the Voice of the Dovetail, Andrew Warren.

All are welcome who follow public health guidance, however that evolves over time.

Themed Shows and Ekphrastic Challenges

When our show coincides with a juicy holiday or event—Mother’s Day, Super Bowl Sunday, our own anniversary—and when we are particularly inspired by the gallery art surrounding us, we will invite poets, musicians, and storytellers to bring themed work. (Participation is optional…unthemed work is ALWAYS welcome.)

To get a heads-up on upcoming shenanigans, join our Meetup group or sign up for our email reminders at tongueandgroove-openmic.com.

Parking  

You’ll find options on-street plus a handful of nearby lots/decks:

  • News and Observer Deck - 214 S Salisbury St

  • Gravel Lot at Wilmington and Martin - 104 E Martin St

  • Moore Square Parking Deck - 233 S Wilmington St

  • Alexander Square Parking Deck - 120 S Wilmington St