An extrovert's heaven and an introvert's refuge — that's what open mic nights provide for Sacramentans. Founded in December 2016, Speak Out! Sacramento offers a free safe space + spotlight for local talent with themed events and small biz takeovers.

Most recently, Speak Out! partnered with Sac Queer Takeover to celebrate love, heartache, and everything in-between. The normal noisy chaos of the Bear Dive (1330 H St.) subsided as each participant stepped up to the mic, serving up poetry, cover songs, original ballads, and stand-up jokes.

Before the next event, here are some tips for how to get involved:

Follow Speak Out! Sacramento on Instagram — they'll update their bio when the next show is decided + post about it in advance.
Follow Sac Queer Takeover on Instagram — not all events are open mics, but each takeover offers new environments as safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ folks. (Pssssst — the next takeover is slated for March 9.)
Sign up to be a featured artist with Speak Out! — any and all forms of spoken art are welcome.
Own a cool space or venue? Whether it's a spacious backyard, coffee shop, or even a parking lot, you can sign up to host the next open mic.