This venue has a unique charm, though seating is limited, with the “stage” area at the front of the café that featured a large half-moon couch and large windows, my goal was to ensure the poets were not only treated as professionals but also felt cared for. That no matter how small the stage, poets are here to share the most vulnerable parts of themselves.

I hired sound technician Sebastian Pawlikowski to design a custom setup that gave the venue a true stage presence. Tobi Sinclair was brought on to compose a unique melody for one poem in each poet’s set.

I wanted this to be an opportunity for poets of various styles and abilities to collaborate with a musician and perform in an intimate, relaxed setting where they could truly shine.