Watty:

“During my 2025 trip to LA, I happened to stumble across an open mic called “Da Poetry Lounge.”

I arrived early, seeking to network and make sure I got on the list. I wound up telling the first person I spoke to that I wasn’t familiar with the event, and she informed me that poets’ names were drawn at random!

She also told me that I happened to be there the day that all of the event’s founders were present (one of them is Dante Basco). They had come back to celebrate the event’s 27th anniversary.

This poet recommended I speak to one of the founders of the event and let them know I was from out of town. I wound up speaking to him briefly before contributing to the “pay what you can” at the door.

When I walked in and sat down, I could already feel the energy of the environment! I wound up hearing a ton of good poetry- seriously. And then they called my name and this happened…”