It´s october, it´s time for Ruusu Open Mic #58! We warmly welcome you to come enjoy poetry and other forms of literary art to Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu on 27.10. at 17-20. As per usual, the evening starts with a brilliant guest performance followed by the main act itself: you and your slot in the open mic.

The evening kick off with a poetry performance by  Eugenie Touma van der Meulen (they/she). Eugenie is a joyful and justice-oriented artist and activist whose artistic practice focuses on poetry, spoken word, and otherwise text meant for a live audience.

You can sign up for the open mic after Eugenie´s performance during the first break. You’re welcome to perform your text, song or other performance in any language you wish. It’s possible to connect your instrument or phone etc in the sound system, if that’s what your performance needs and you have your copyright sorted (/free). Time limit for every open mic performance is 4 minutes, so everyone has a chance to perform. Please, make sure you don’t exceed this time  limit out of respect towards your fellow poets.

At the end of the evening, glorious flowers from flower shop Lutukka as well as some drink vouchers from Sörkan Ruusu will be drawn at random among all the open mixers that performed that night. So, it’s worth staying till the end to see if you´re one of the lucky ones!

October Ruusu is produced by Aika Huusko, hosted by HPC’s new head of board, Vinski Valos, who also designed the visuals of the event.

We thank our long lasting partner Restaurant Sörkan Ruusu and city of Helsinki!

Ruusu Open Mic is free from any discrimination. We don’t accept any racist or hateful content or behaviour. Please also note that we advise performers to state content warnings regarding their poems if needed.

Our event adheres to Safer Space Guidelines as found on HPC’s website: https://www.helsinkipoetryconnection.fi/en/about-us/safer-space-guidelines-of-hpc/

The main entrance of Sörkan Ruusu has a ~ 20cm step and door 81cm wide. There is a ramp that can be installed when asked to. There’s also an induction loop available at the venue, one accessible and three gender neutral toilets.

Free entry!