Queen Bee's Open Mic Night — 1st & 3rd Thursdays

“There is a room in North Park where someone reads…”

The first time you stand in front of strangers with something you made, what you need is a room that will not punish you for it. This is that room.

It is an arts center in North Park, not a bar that tolerates an open mic in the corner, and the difference shows up in the crowd: they came for the performers instead of the drink specials. Sign up before the show, take your five to seven minutes, then sit down and actually listen to everyone else. A singer-songwriter follows a stand-up who follows a slam poet. The quality swings wildly, which is the whole point. Some of the best sets of the night come from people who did not look like they were about to do anything remarkable.

Ohio Street in North Park, first and third Thursdays, low or no cover, street parking around the block.

Bring the friend with the notebook they never show anyone.