Our feature poet is Akka Ballenger Constantin, a multi-disciplinary artist working across various platforms. Her practice combines over 20 years’ experience in photography and alternate processes, with other mediums such as drawing, mixed media, printmaking and poetry. She chooses to express herself in various languages; her poems move from English to French, Spanish and Romanian from one verse to another.

To sign up for a spot in the open mic, email us at mothertonguemic@gmail.com You will have 4 minutes to share a poem in a language other than English, including an introduction or translation into English. All styles from traditional to contemporary slam poetry are welcome, and you can read your original poem, or a piece by another poet.