DRINK / CULTURE - Nuyorican Poets Cafe

There are plenty of places to get a drink and see some art in Manhattan's famously art and booze-fueled East Village. And sure, there are probably a few places to get a drink and see some slam poetry in the East Village. But where else can you get a drink and see some slam poetry in non-profit arts theatre rooted in the early '70's Nuyorican cultural movement and the center of multi-cultural poetry in the East Village? Ok, sure, maybe a couple places. But where else will the poetry actually be any good? Nuyorican Poets Cafe.


Ask anyone in New York, we've all run into the same problem - too many poets to fit in our living room. It's just kind of a New York thing. In 1973, poet Miguel Algarin actually did something about it and expanded his living room poet's salon into a full-fledged small poet's corner, and now an often over-stuffed stuffed poets café.

As it is a non-profit organization, it thrives on nurturing the under-nurtured artists of all races and backgrounds. Its ideological mission is dedicated to giving every voice a stage. NPC is able to offer a program of arts as diverse as the audience, from drama to comedy, poetry to jazz and hip hop, and has an open mic for each one genre for anyone to embarrass themselves on.

This is the appeal of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. The history of innovation and broken ground gives it depth, but the egalitarian and multi-cultural spirit is what lives on. Also, alcoholic spirits. So go experience the emotional catharsis of a slam poet bearing her soul in oddly syncopated rhythm like that one you heard in a vaguely offensive McDonald's commercial that one time, and watch the complexities of race and class played out in a drama that’s not in an awkward moment at work. And much like work, enjoy some beer or wine while you're doing it.

Check out: The Moth StorySLAM Sept 14th

Ongoing events: Friday Night Poetry Slam; All That! Hip Hop, Poetry & Jazz Open Jam; Wednesday Night Poetry Slam; WORDS Hip Hop & Poetry Showcase/Open Mic

Nuyorican Poets Cafe [http://www.nuyorican.org/]; 236 East 3rd Street Between Ave B & C; East Village; 212.505.8183

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