Place Keepers Wide Open Mic at Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport, Kentucky on May 21, 2026. Image credit: Joe Gallenstein.
By Anna Barnes
Reflections from July 20, 2026
Two years ago, I began performing my poetry after I found a flyer for a Place Keepers open mic event posted in a coffee shop that I frequent. I had been writing since middle school and wanted to perform my work ever since watching Button Poetry on YouTube a decade prior, but was previously too scared to share my words with the world. What if people thought what I had to say was confusing or foolish? Nevertheless, I got the courage to check out the Place Keepers event and upon my arrival, I was instantly welcomed warmly by a regular attendee who took me under their wing and introduced me to Sherry Cook Stanforth.
The audience supported me as I performed. My fears quickly melted away and were replaced with curiosity and confidence. Almost immediately after this first performance, it seemed an infinite number of opportunities opened up for me. I became an arts apprentice under Sherry. I was also directed towards a vast number of other open mics in the area and soon began meeting many other artists who would prove to be great supporters of my work. Two years later, I am an independent artist with two poetry books released and have performed hundreds of times to thousands of audience members. I am forever grateful to Place Keepers for giving me a safe space to discover the beautiful art world hidden all around Cincinnati.
Place Keepers: What to Expect
For years, Place Keepers has been gracing the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky regions with a healthy dose of regular open mics, featured artists, workshops, demonstrations, live music, interactives, writing contests, and much more. These events, provided by Urban Appalachian Community Coalition (UACC) and Originary Arts Initiative (OAI) and curated by Sherry Cook Stanforth, focus on Appalachian and other regional history and highlight the importance of place, offering enriching opportunities for creatives of all levels and backgrounds to advance their skills, practice their crafts, and build their networks.
Open up a Place Keepers event like a storybook to find a mesmerizing and immense opportunity to connect with people and become inspired by their personal histories. Place Keepers events encourage art creation by using lenses of nature, perspective-taking, and strong social bonds, things that are too often neglected as we ignore and abandon the traditions of our ancestors. You will walk away from a Place Keepers event changed, feeling both rejuvenated and hungry for more connection.
Event Recap: Spring Open Mic
Nestled inside the enchanting Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport, Kentucky, the spring Place Keepers Wide Open Mic on May 21st featured music by jazz artist Al West Jr., poetry by Joe Gallenstein of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), and a literary analysis of Frank X Walker’s Affrilachian works by Kristine Yohe of Northern Kentucky University. The works of all three featured artists were brilliantly intertwined, exhibiting and celebrating black voices and culture.
From top to bottom: Al West, Jr., Joe Gallenstein, and Kristine Yohe feature at Place Keepers Wide Open Mic on May 21, 2026 at Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport, Kentucky. Image credit: Anna Barnes.
Prior to the featured performances, event organizer Sherry Cook Stanforth kicked off the event with an open mic to showcase the works by a mosaic of creatives. Some of the open mic performers at this particular event were as follows:
- Mechelle Kelly read from her new book, Well Fed
- Bettina Ernst read a piece titled, “A Chorus of Watering Cans”
- Silvia McClamrock read a poem with an interesting play on words: “This place is a prism.”
- Hallie Fogarty read a poem from a larger project about body positivity
- Paul Long read a poem about origins and roots
- Linn Fox sang a song about imposter syndrome
- Anna Barnes read “Unclaimed” from her new book, bloom // wilt
- Tim McQuillan, a new poet, read a new piece, “Hard Times”
- Engler Gonzalez read a poem about the spirit and memories which is held inside hair
From top to bottom: Mechelle Kelly, Bettina Ernst, Hallie Fogarty, Engler Gonzalez, and Sherry Cook Stanforth performing in the open mic portion of Place Keepers Wide Open Mic on May 21, 2026 at Roebling Books & Coffee in Newport, Kentucky. Image credit: Anna Barnes.
Upcoming Place Keepers Events
October 27th, 6-7pm: Place Keepers Seasonal Wide Open Mic (Virtual)
Foster appreciation for our natural world and different homelands and share any genre and any format of writing, music, or visual art at this free event welcome to all ages, backgrounds, and talents. Click here for Zoom link.
August 20th, 6-8pm: Place Keepers Wide Open Mic
Location: Roebling Books & Coffee, 601 Overton St. Newport, KY 41071
Featured artists: Willie Davis (author), Michael Thompson (interdisciplinary artist), Ma Crow (musician)
Performance schedule: 6-7pm open mic, 7-8pm featured artists
Come early to sign up for the open mic and order from the cafe
Place Keepers Is for You
An inclusive avenue for art experimentation, community-building, and comfort, every Place Keepers event promises a retreat from the stress and overstimulation we often face in our modern worlds by immersing attendees in lavish and loving unique spaces with the goal of creating and building together. With strong emphasis on nature, place, a medley of cultures, and the traditions of ancestors, Place Keepers programs create strong art communities that are resilient and armored. Place Keepers wants you to come share your stories and perspectives at the next event!
Check out the Place Keepers web page here for the most up-to-date information. Donate to support future UACC events here. Questions? Reach out to [email protected].