Poet Rachel M. Collins reads during the open mic
If you’re an expat, and you’re looking for some intellectual stimulation, or want to launch your performance career, or you just really want to make some interesting friends here in the city, you’re in luck. The Alchemy Reading and Performance Series kicked off a new season on Sunday with readings from Gordon Carrega and an open mic with some Alchemy regulars and even some debuts.
The monthly event has become sort of a staple among English-speakers in Prague since it started eight years ago, bringing together a consistent program of short fiction writers, poets and musicians and creating a sort of community of expats.
The event, organized by American musician Ken Nash, moved from its former home at The Globe to Friends Coffee House at Palackého street 7, right off of Vodičkova. It’s free, and anyone can sign up for the open mic between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. The feature performance starts at 7-ish, after which there is a break, and then the open mic starts. Open mic performances can be no longer than seven minutes. You can find a schedule of their feature performers on their website.
I went to the opening night – I’m not a huge frequenter of poetry readings but I think it would be fair to say that what Alchemy offers is a mixed pot, but definitely a step up from your average open mic. Everyone who went up had something to offer – none of those performances where you are left squirming in your seat with embarassment for the person at the mic – and I would say the majority of performers were quite good, particularly a short poem read by Anne Brechin, a regular name in poetry performance in London, as well as a lighthearted musical performance by the organizer, Nash. Regulars I talked to say it is definitely not unusual to get some real gems in the line up. In brief, it’s an enjoyable experience for people of all levels of poetry consumption.
In addition to the performances themselves, the atmosphere of the venue was very cozy, and within minutes I had made the acquaintance of at least three different people -it’s definitely a great place to meet people. The cafe has a good drink menu and tasty food. I had part of the chicken sandwich, and I have to say, I’m going back for another before next month’s event.
What: Alchemy Reading and Performance
When: First Sunday of every month starting at 7
Where: Friends Coffee House at Palackého street 7
Cost: free
Sounds like fun! I’ll have to join you for the next one!