Step up. Speak out. Stand tall.
Jersey City Writers invites you to One-Mic Stand with SJ—an open mic experience like no other! This is where raw talent meets electrifying energy, and every voice has a chance to shine.
On the 2nd Friday of every month, two incredible featured poets will take the stage alongside a lineup of fearless performers from our vibrant poetry community. Open mic slots are 5 minutes each, giving you the perfect space to share your truth—whether it’s poetry, spoken word, or a story waiting to be heard.
Come for the poetry. Stay for the magic. Join the movement.
$10 Suggested Donation (Cash, Venmo, Paypal)
Doors open at 6:30pm, Open Mic starts at 7pm -- first come, first served!
Our Host Steve Willett (SJ) is a sound poet who is actively involved in the poetry community and has had several feature performances around New Jersey. His poem ‘Petulance’ was a shortlisted selection for the University of Grimsby’s Hammond House International Poetry Competition in 2019. Steve serves as moderator for the Jersey City Writers (JC Plums) poetry group, which meets online every week to discuss poetry and improve participants' works. He was also one of the producers for the Jersey City Writers JC Poetry Festival in 2023 and is currently working on the 2025 festival. He is also a teaching artist at Newark School of the Arts. He lives with his wife, 2 daughters, and 5 cats in the Heights. He is excited to have his own Open Mic, (One-Mic Stand with SJ), and give back to a community that has given so much support to him.
5/09 FEATURED ACTS UPDATED: R.Sen the Poet & Buttered Roll
R.Sen is a New Jersey based spoken word artist, writer, musician, singer, and poet who found love writing at the age of 16. She has since used this passion in many readings/performances, both online and in-person, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It was during this time of uncertainty, that she found the power in her voice to speak her words. Her belief in poetry being therapy and the feedback from peers motivated her to begin composing her first collection, Introspectrum, (which is available for purchase now) so that she can not only empower her own life, but the lives of others around the world. With love and empowerment as a focus topic, her work is tailored to resonate with those who have struggled in life with heartbreak, loss, self-empowerment and self-worth.
R.Sen writes for her readers to find healing, strength, hope and ultimately, self-love by guiding them with poetry through her own personal journey and views. To stay in touch with her work, you can follow her on Instagram at @r.sen_thevibe. She also produces her own music and can be found on all streaming platforms.
Buttered Roll (BR) is a Hoboken based and self-taught poet, performer, visual artist and not-so-complex carbohydrate. He has been reading and rearranging the written word since he was a young person. In September 2022, BR self-published his second book Disjecta Dismembra. He donated ½ of the proceeds from the sales of the book to the Hoboken Homeless Shelter. On September 6,2024, Bolivareando: Similar, Not the Same, opened at SMUSH gallery, in Jersey City, NJ. Bolivareando is a series of visual work that consists of almost 70 paintings. The show ran through October 13, 2024, and was selected by the Jersey City Times as the second-best art show in Jersey City for the year 2024. Buttered Roll also recently participated in the 14C special project residency in Jersey City, NJ. This residency ran through April 13,2025. Buttered Roll’s visual work will be displayed at the 14 C art fair in May 2025.
