I want to attend this open mic poetry night, but I have no-one to go with. Should I go

I

insect_mendacity

New member
alone? I write poetry in my spare time, and for ages I've wanted to read bits of my stuff at an open mic poetry night. The only problem is that I was always too scared - until yesterday, that is, when I stumbled across some footage of local open mic readings on YouTube. The quality of the work was almost invariably low, and as a consequence I feel a lot less nervous about the idea than I used to. In light of all this, I hope to attend an open mic event which is taking place tonight at a studio in my city. I'm not gonna read, I just want to get an idea of what goes on, how the audience reacts to what's being read (ie. if they're openly critical etc) and whatnot.

I don't have anyone to go with, though, since all my friends are busy tonight. So I'd have to go on my own. My question, therefore, is: how typical is it to see people attending poetry events, specifically open mic nights, alone? Should I go, or wait until an event comes along which one of my friends can attend with me? I ought to mention that I'm pretty shy and socially awkward.

Thanks in advance.
 
You should go and show your stuff.

Hey, there are a lot of people who like the rawness of a person, not somebody trying to imitate.

If you like your own poems; would you go see you?

Yes, go.

I'll be there in the spirit.
Go for it, If they clap...you're in.

My oldest son went to a rap audition and the people were NOT expecting what they got! He was new to them but he rapped like he been there before! They were shocked. He brought something new:
His confidence in what he was doing.

Take your confidence and show them what you're worth!

They will be expecting the same old stuff...shock em'!

I'm with ya!
 
In the real world I'm very quiet in public. I'm an observer more than shy, though. I also don't always play well with others, as they say. I go to things alone all the time. Gallery openings, Second Saturday Art Walk (free cheap wine and nibbles - w00t!), poetry readings, concerts, museums, whatever. I don't let the unavailability of a friend stop me from going. I also go alone places on purpose so I CAN observe others. It's hard to take everything in when I've got one of my chatty friends babbling in my ear without being rude and ignoring them. By all means - GO. You may find you like going places by yourself. I used to always take someone with me, but I did find I like being alone in public a lot, so now I don't even try most of the time unless it's something a friend would enjoy.
 
In the real world I'm very quiet in public. I'm an observer more than shy, though. I also don't always play well with others, as they say. I go to things alone all the time. Gallery openings, Second Saturday Art Walk (free cheap wine and nibbles - w00t!), poetry readings, concerts, museums, whatever. I don't let the unavailability of a friend stop me from going. I also go alone places on purpose so I CAN observe others. It's hard to take everything in when I've got one of my chatty friends babbling in my ear without being rude and ignoring them. By all means - GO. You may find you like going places by yourself. I used to always take someone with me, but I did find I like being alone in public a lot, so now I don't even try most of the time unless it's something a friend would enjoy.
 
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