Let's hear them out

Bookmark these open mic nights in the city

Move aside stand-up comic nights, there are new kids on the block. These are all about words (not necessarily funny ones) and some rhythm as well. Venues around the city are increasingly opening their doors to budding poets, storytellers and music makers.
Once upon a time, we would cuddle in bed with our grandparents and parents. They'd tell us stories, sometimes from their imagination, other times, out of books. Who has the patience to tell and hear stories today? Isn't that a common complaint? We used to push each other to sing when the electricity went off. Today, we're glued to YouTube instead. With these evenings getting popular in the city, perhaps we can bring back the magic of being surrounded by live words and music.
Earlier this month, The House Of Talent (THOT), a Dubai-based platform that promotes poets, storytellers and musicians, hosted their poetry-storytelling event. "Take your poems and stories out of your diaries and cell phones and mesmerise the art lovers in the town," they suggested. Their evenings (with a cover charge) encourage words in Hindi and English. At one of their sessions, poetess Geetanjali Chandra, a lecturer by profession, shared her words titled Kyun Chor Aye and took everyone on a nostalgic trip, as she spoke of elements that every expat has left behind. Blank Space, a platform for spoken word poetry and music amongst other art forms, hosted their February event, Happy Valentine's Day or Not, last night (ticketed). They invited creators to share their words about the most clichéd thing: love - and welcomed both sweet and sour poetry and music on the theme.
If a little bit of music can make your evening, then the stage at Lock Stock & Barrel, Barsha Heights is open (on Wednesdays) to those who wish to showcase their music and creativity. Also, this very evening, you can be part of Inn Yard's Open Hip Hop Culture Session at Warehouse 58, Alserkal Avenue. Meanwhile, tomorrow night, you can head to the International Storytelling Gala - Once Upon a Night at Alliance Française Dubai. A ticketed event (Dh100), this one promises to be a blend of traditional stories, live music, songs and dance. Another brand new open mic night in town is happening tomorrow at Kulture House Dubai, Jumeirah.
Other than these, popular venues like Lucky Voice, Pizza Express, and Stars N Bars have dedicated specific evenings to bands and aspiring solo artists. Drop by to see how most people walk into such gatherings as strangers, a little uncertain of their talent, and how, by the time the evenings draw to a close, they emerge as confident performers.
purva@khaleejtimes.com