This category includes Open Mikes, Poetry Slams, etc. For author appearances and other book related events see Readings.

AFRICAN AMERICAN IMAGES 1909 W. 95th, 773-445-0322: Adult poetry slam. Second Sat of month, 3 PM.

BLACK ROCK 3614 N. Damen, www.recroomers.com: "The Reconstruction Room Readings" features poets, actors, musicians, and visual artists. First and third Wed of month, 8 PM.

BORDERS BOOKS & MUSIC 1144 Lake, Oak Park, 708-386-6927: "Lucid Apple," open mike for poets, storytellers, and musicians. First Wed of month, 8 PM (registration 7:30 PM).

CAFE 5115 N. Lincoln, 312-386-1656: Poetry open mike hosted by Charlie Newman. Tue 8 PM.

COFFEE CHICAGO Coffee Chicago 5256 N. Broadway, 773-784-1305: Poetry open mike hosted by John Starrs. Fri 7:30 PM. Fri 7:30 PM.

DA BOOK JOINT 9527 S. Jeffery, 773-978-3555: "TheTakeOver Spoken Word Sessions." Fri 8 PM, $5, $4 if you read.

DVA 2568 N. Lincoln, 773-871-4382: Charlie Newman hosts featured poets. First Fri of month, 8 PM.

FIX CAFE 736 W. Irving Park, 773-248-1422: "Horse to Water," an evening of storytelling. Third Mon of month, 8 PM.

FUNKY BUDDHA LOUNGE 728 W. Grand, 312-666-1695: "Supa Soul Sunday" open mike. Sun 10-11 PM, $10."Mental Graffiti" with featured readers and open mike. Open run: third Mon of month, 8 PM (registration 7:30 PM), $5, 21+.

GLOBE PUB 1934 W. Irving Park, 773-871-3757: "Talent variety showcase." Open run: Mon 9 PM.

GREEN MILL 4802 N. Broadway, 773-878-5552: "Uptown Poetry Slam," featuring open mike, special guests, and end-of-the-night competition. Sun 7-10 PM, $6.

HEARTLAND CAFE 7000 N. Glenwood, 773-465-8005: "In One Ear," open mike for poetry and music. Wed 10 PM (registration 9 PM), $3, 18+.

HOUSE OF CULTURE 618 E. 71st, houseofculture@live.com: "Church of the Spoken Word" open mike. Fri 9 PM, $5.

JAKS TAP 901 W. Jackson, 312-666-1700: "Waiting 4 the Bus," open mike for poets and musicians. First and third Mon of month, 7:30 PM.

JOKES AND NOTES 4641 S. King, 773-373-3390: "Tony Scufield's Poetry & Variety Show," open mike for spoken word, comedy, and music. Thu 9 PM, $5. All shows 21+, "proper attire."

KAFEIN 1621 Chicago, Evanston, 847-491-1621: Open mike. Mon 8:30 PM (registration 8 PM).

LEE'S UNLEADED BLUES 7401 S. South Chicago, 773-493-3477: "Alternative Female Poetry Night" featuring Pow-Wow. Tue 7:30 PM, $5.

MERCURY CAFE 1505 W. Chicago, 773-376-2378: Featured readers and open mike with Vittorio Carli. Third and last Fri of month, 7 PM.

NEGRO LEAGUE CAFE 301 E. 43rd, 773-536-7000: "Rituals Open Mic Poetry," presented by East Wind Productions. Sun 10 PM, $5.

SPOKEN WORD CAFE 4655 S. King, 773-817-3031 or spokenrhythm@gmail.com: Spoken Rhythm open mike with Frank Pete. Wed 7 PM, $10, $5 for participants.

TALLGRASS WRITERS GUILD Bourgeois Pig, 738 W. Fullerton, 219-322-7270: featured performers and open mike. Fourth Tue of month, 7:30 PM, $5.

TEA ESSENCE 1913 N. Milwaukee, 773-276-2727: spoken-word open mike. Wed, 8-10 PM.

3RD SATURDAY COFFEEHOUSE Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Church, Unity House, 875 Lake, Oak Park, 708-660-9376: Open mike and featured performers hosted by Charlie Rossiter. Third Sat of month, 8 PM (registration 7:30 PM), $3-$5.

TRACE 3714 N. Clark, 773-477-3400: Poetry/music open mike hosted by PolyRhythmic Arts Collective. Tue 10 PM.

TWEET 5020 N. Sheridan, 773-728-5511: Scott Free hosts "Homolatte," featuring gay and lesbian spoken-word artists. First and third Tue of month, 7:30 PM.

URBAN ROOTS CULTURE SHOP 709 S. Western, 312-226-5977: Open mike hosted by Nonsynse and 720. Sat 8:30 PM, "pass-the-hat style donations."

WEED'S 1555 N. Dayton, 312-943-7815: "Poetry Night" open mike hosted by Gregorio Gomez. Mon 9:30 PM.

THE WESTSIDE COFFEEHOUSE EXPRESS 314 N. Pulaski, 773-638-5582: "Word Life Saturdays" hosted by Kell-O_G and Sa'alek. Sat 9 PM, $5."Friday Jazz Juice" spoken word and live jazz. First Fri of month, 9 PM, $5.

WINDY CITY TV'S "STUDIO 75" 1035 E. 75th St., 773-224-0744: Open mike for singers, poets, comedians, rappers, and musicians, including a "live worldwide broadcast." Open run: Wed-Thu 8-11:30 PM, $10.

YOUNG CHICAGO AUTHORS 1180 N. Milwaukee, 773-486-4331: "WordPlay," teen-centered open mike. Through 6/10: Tue 6-9 PM.