Open Mic Afternoon: Celebrate Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood with Poetry and Community Connection

Name: Open Mic Afternoon: Celebrate Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood with Poetry and Community Connection
Start: 2026-03-15T14:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-15T16:00:00-04:00
Location: 102 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ, United States, New Jersey 08542

Schedule

Sun Mar 15 2026 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

102 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ, United States, New Jersey 08542 | Princeton, NJ

Poets and spoken word fans, join us for an afternoon of heartfelt storytelling, community connection, and reflection celebrating the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, Princeton’s 20th historic district.
The program will begin at 2pm with book signings, followed by remarks from our Executive Director Adam Welch and a conversation with the Rev. Gregory S. Smith, Evelyn Turner-Counts, and Aaron Fisher. Following the discussion, performers are invited to participate in an open mic session, sharing spoken word pieces and poetry inspired by the spirit of the Witherspoon-Jackson community.
The third volume in the series features a collection of poetry and essays inspired by the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood, capturing the voices, histories, and lived experiences of its residents. Through vivid language and evocative imagery, the book offers an intimate portrait of a community shaped by resilience, memory, and pride.
ACP Executive Director Adam Welch will release his new book, Paul Robeson Place: How a Street Got Its Name, and rerelease his zine Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood: Revised and Expanded. Also available for purchase will be Welch’s The Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood: How One Community Changed Princeton.
The event is free and open to the public.
JOIN US AS A PERFORMER:
• Prepare a story, poem, or spoken word piece up to 3 minutes in length and related to the neighborhood.
• Arrive by 1:45pm to add your name to the hat. No previous experience or pre-registration necessary.
JOIN US IN THE AUDIENCE:
• Take the elevator or stairs to the Solley Theater, located on the top floor of our Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.
• Find a seat and enjoy the performances. We kick off shortly after 2pm.