JCW FRIDAY NIGHTS: One-Mic Stand with SJ

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.

8/8 FEATURED ACTS UPDATED: Mariah Ayscue & Erato, The Muse

Mariah Ayscue (he/him/king) is a Black, Trans, Intersex, Artist, Activist, and mental health advocate from Montclair NJ. He also identifies as a Christian Witch, Disco Ball Dyke, Pansexual pancake, and a Demisexual dream that is expressed through his poetry. His full-length book WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN is published with Beyond 28 Publishing. King was also chosen to perform his poetry for the 2024 Dodge Poetry Festival with NJPAC. He is also the founder of the Bearded Lady Rebellion Collective which focuses on reclaiming the narratives, education, and healing of Trans and Intersex people with an emphasis on QTBIPOC lives. It is the work he wants to do for the rest of his life.

Erato the Muse (he/they/it) is a poet with dissociative identity disorder that grew up steeped in poetry. Their introduction to poetry was through their father, cementing poetry as a form of love. It's been named Granby High School's Poet Laureate, been published in the Cupola and A Celebration of Poets, performed at the New York Poetry Festival with the Jersey City Writers, and released its first book, Daddy Issue, in March 2025, dedicated to the very person who got him into poetry in the beginning.

SPECIAL GUEST: Micayla Mirabella is a photographer based in NJ, NYC, and Philly. They capture portraits, weddings, events, engagements, and pretty much anything worth remembering. They love to photograph beautiful things and they believe people are the most beautiful subjects. They are committed to inclusivity and accessibility and they celebrate all identities, all bodies, and all love. They will be offering FREE HEADSHOTS (as capacity allows), to attendees

Supported by public funds from the Jersey City Arts and Culture Trust Fund