I’m a woman in STEM, but I was almost an English major. With the weather warming up and finals almost out of the way, my mind is itching again to write creatively and read voraciously. In particular, I crave spaces that invite anybody to appreciate literature and storytelling, regardless of their academic experience.
Whether you’re as much of a writing nerd as I am or are simply looking to expand your horizons, here are some of the best accessible ways to get your literary fix in Berkeley.
Attend a free open mic
Local open mic events foster a special energy. There’s something magical about hearing a piece performed live, especially if the audience responds with support and encouragement. A personal favorite is Story Slam, a cozy monthly affair hosted by Far Leaves Tea that invites anybody to share a thought or story from their life. Many local bookstores and bars, such as The Starry Plough Pub and The Long Haul Infoshop, host similar events. For a community closer to campus, the Live Poets Society club regularly shares incredible writing and poetry. Will you be the next voice on that stage?
Hear from your favorite writers
A massive perk of being on a renowned college campus is that you will come across people you never thought you’d see in real life. I’ve listened to one of my all-time favorite poets, Ocean Vuong, talk at the BAMPFA — which has also hosted authors such as Cathy Park Hong and Ashia Ajani. It’s through campus-based events that I got to hear conversations from Angela Davis and Susan Stryker. Morrison Library also runs the Lunch Poems series, an open event where published poets read their work.
See what bookstores and libraries are offering
From book clubs and educational workshops to author talks, the local public library and bookstore scene is bustling with underrated events, many of which are free to attend. Pegasus Books in Downtown Berkeley holds a monthly Lyrics and Dirges poetry series, while Bird & Beckett Books and Records in San Francisco invites listeners to Jazz in the Bookshop each Friday and Saturday.
Join a writing group
Whether it’s taking a free workshop through the Art of Writing, meeting creative-minded people at Left Margin LIT’s workspace in North Berkeley or connecting with one of the many campus clubs, magazines and journals, sometimes having other people around is the push you need to explore your creative potential. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a writer, it’s exciting to let other people’s stories wash over you.
Now that academia is coming to a close, enrich your mind with these literary events that you actually enjoy.