Red Emma’s

Let's come together in a poetry/spoken word open mic of justice, conscious thought, spirituality, fam, real life—whatever advances the village! In the tradition of Emma Goldman’s “Mother Earth” magazine, come drop some rad “fiyah” on us, or contribute just with your presence and energy! By the way: it’s a non-erotic poetry, non-“Love Jones” type of evening, so we ask that you not go there. (And, almost needless to say, leave the misogyny, homophobia and other unnecessary ish outside!)

Living the poetic boldness with us will be Mick (Micki) Topham! Mick (she/her) is a spoken word artist from Utah who’s competed in countless poetry events, slams, and competitions including the 2022 National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nevada. She has taught poetry workshops and performed throughout the DMV, including featuring at a 2025 World Pride event in Washington, DC. Her work has been published in the Mid-Atlantic Review, and she was a finalist in the DC Poet Project, a citywide competition uplifting local poets. You can find her most weeks at two or three open mics, passionately snapping for the incredible poets and performers across the DMV. This is her first ever feature in Baltimore!

Holdin’ it down for the evening is Analysis—poet/spoken word artist, author, rad minister and bookseller, educator, justice & human rights person… Y’all know what’s up! https://www.liberationandpoetry.com CashApp: $AnalysisThePoet

The mic list will be ready for you at Emma’s so you can get on the mic and share something with us! Additionally, we’ll pass the bucket—physically and electronically—to give something to our featured poet and to help build for the future. Please support independent artists!

The evening is, indeed, brought to you by Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, a worker-owned and collectively operated restaurant, bookstore, and community events space in the Waverly neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland that is dedicated to putting principles of solidarity and sustainability into practice in a democratic workplace!

Remember: PEACE, JUSTICE, POETRY! Will we see you there?