BELFAST — Belfast Senior College is sponsoring a “pop-up” Open Mic Poetry Reading event on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m., in the Bay View Room at United Farmers Market on Spring Street near the Belfast waterfront. The free event is open to all poets as part of the Oct. 12-15 Belfast Poetry Festival.

“Belfast Senior College has formed, for the first time, a community partnership with Waterfall Arts, Belfast Poetry Festival and United Farmers Market to present this event. This is an example of a Belfast community inclusive partnership that can shine and be a win-win for everyone,” said Open Mike Poetry Reading event organizer Marjorie Arnett, a poet, visual artist and former Senior College trustee, in a news release. “The 2022 event was a very successful part of last year’s Belfast Poetry Festival, and we hope to have poets of all ages presenting their work at this year’s Open Mike.”

BSC president Mayo Bulloch, said: “This poetry reading is another way that Belfast Senior College works to enrich the cultural life of our community. We recognize the importance of community organizations working together to form events that connect our common interests and constituencies. We are delighted to offer this again and wish to thank United Farmers Market for their generous use of the beautiful Bay View Room.”

Poets who wish to read one of their poems during the Open Mic Poetry Reading on Saturday, Oct. 14, can sign up in the United Farmers Market Bay View Room before the 10 a.m. start time. Readings will take place in the order of sign up.

Belfast Poet Laureate, Maya Stein, will host the event.

A large audience of United Farmers Market shoppers last year were attentive and appreciative listeners, and poets even included a market vendor, according to Arnett.

For more information about the Open Mic Poetry Reading, go to belfastseniorcollege.org or belfastpoetry.com.

Belfast Senior College, celebrating 30 years of classes and programs this year, still has room for students in its October one-, four- and seven-session courses at three Belfast sites and on Zoom. Class fees are $15 for each one-session course, $20 for a four-session course and $40 for the seven-session Zoom course. Limited scholarships are available for students or members. Call 206-707-6010 for class and scholarship information and office hours at Belfast Coworking, 17a Main Street. For course descriptions, membership and course registration, go to belfastseniorcollege.org.

Belfast Senior College is an independent all-volunteer non-profit organization. A $25 membership, valid through August 2024, provides opportunities for year-round courses and events to provide stimulation, knowledge, social interaction and fun for people age 50 and up. Members’ spouses and partners of any age also are welcome to become members.