For 36 years, Kafe’ Kuumba has been hosting open mics, making it Indiana’s oldest running poetry open mic. On April 19 — which just happens to be Hoosier poet Etheridge Knight’s birthday — Kafe’ Kuumba will celebrate poets of the past and present at Martin University, where Knight graduated from in 1990. The event is hosted by Liberation Now!, a student group at Martin University.
Along with Knight, the free event will celebrate the works of Mari Evans, and James Officer and James Depp — two longtime supporters and patrons of Kafe’ Kuumba and the Midtown Writers Association. The open mic begins at 6 p.m. at 2186 N. Sherman Dr. and will feature performances from current local poets and writers including Michaal L.L. Collins, Saundra Holiday and Mat Davis.
Davis has been going to Kafe Kuumba events for decades, and said the spot is integral to the Indianapolis arts scene.
“It’s a part of the fabric of the Black art scene and the poetry community in Indianapolis at large,” Davis said. “It’s been a pillar in the Black arts scene for nearly four decades … and it’s very rare to find a place that focuses specifically on one craft.”
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Though the event is free and open to the public, donations are welcome at the door.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Email her at Breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @BreannaNCooper.