Birmingham has warmly welcomed its newest open mic night, and it has left the city’s creatives buzzing with new connections.
Common Ground launched on the 19th of August at Third Space Café in Acocks Green, bringing together poets and poetry enthusiasts alike to enjoy an evening of unfiltered performance. The event is organised by Make Something, Feel Something, a Birmingham creative community that allows artists to gain exposure whilst building lasting connections. That means when you enter the space, you’re exchanging more than just social media handles. Common Ground is an event where regulars will meet every month, and allow newcomers to bond over a poem that makes them giggle.
Third Space is unlike other venues or cafes. It is a place for people to return for coffee, yes, but also to share their achievements, network to create new ones, or even join a game night to meet completely new faces each time.
Usaamah, Owner of Third Space
The first night handed the microphone over to headliners Kohinoor and Zakariye, who set the stage for an evening of laughter, reflection and inspiration with their expertise. Small talk melted between the sounds of frothing milk and ceramic clinking, as the open mic invited the separation between artists and audience to disappear.
The event allows people the chance to test out new material, share something powerful from previous events, or finally release that poem that has been held hostage in the Notes app for the past eight months.
If performing still sounds absolutely terrifying (though the hosts do a great job at preventing that), you can also just grab a drink, find a seat and enjoy the show. No microphone required.
Common Ground will return monthly at Third Space Café, alternating between music and poetry.
Keep an eye on Make Something, Feel Something for details of the next event, as it will not be one to miss : MS,FS · Events Calendar
For more events happening across Birmingham, catch the Outer Circle podcast on Brum Radio for your regular roundup of what’s on in the city.
Images courtesy of Third Space.
Video courtesy of Make Something, Feel Something.
