The We're Here, Utah Others and Allies Variety Open Mic (affectionally referred to as O&A) is a traveling Utah County event committed to promoting authentic self-expression for historically marginalized voices.
This includes those who are ex-Mo/never-Mo, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, and the many other identity categories that aren't often celebrated in Utah.
We strive to provide a space that is uplifting for performers of all experience levels (but especially first timers).
We regularly gather together for a 90-minute show where stage-based performers (typically musicians, comedians, and poets) share their craft.
O&A provides a number of benefits to the Utah County community, such as...
Act Development Invaluable practice for performers wanting to develop their act as they work towards getting booked on paid shows
Third Space A place to connect outside of the home and make/connect with friends that does not center around capitalism.
Personal Growth Space to practice being witnessed and self-expression in a supportive environment (i.e. an exercise to increase one's window of tolerance)
Collective Growth Opportunities to collectively explore challenging concepts and experiences through various art forms, thereby providing a chance to interrogate and re-form our community values
At this mic, we see the stage as a pathway for connecting to self and community, a modality for healing, and platform for activism. If you're interested in joining a container of caring folks who come together to share and witness honest art, self-exploration, and growth - then you'll feel right at home (and if you're *simply* looking for stage time, this isn't the mic for you).
We begin the event by arriving in the moment together, giving ourselves permission to set it all down for the next 90-minutes. Throughout the event, we gift the performer on stage with our full attention.
At this mic, performers and audience members alike actively participate in the creation of an environment that nourishes the collective security for Utah's "others” through their actions and words.
The full space agreements for O&A are outlined here
By attending or participating in the mic, you are agreeing to uphold these space agreements.
Rather than gather at the same location for each mic as is traditional with an open mic, O&A is a traveling mic, meaning we gather at a different location every time we meet.
To do this, we partner with amazing local businesses that have brick and mortar locations, who provide a one-time venue for a mic. But we don't just partner with any business. We partner with...
-businesses that are proud to take a stance in support of uplifting historically marginalized communities
-businesses doing good things and run by good people
-businesses we want to spotlight as a place you should support through your purchasing power
Through these partnerships, we get the privilege of co-creating a one-of-a-kind experience for every mic!
EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
1 instrument mic
Project Rainbow
Thrift RX
Neighborhood Art Center
The Mystic Frog
Dry Bar Comedy Theater
theFINDlab
XOCOKAFE
Center of the Universe Cafe
Mosaics Community Bookstore and Venue