Wednesday Night Live with Bianca L. McGraw is one highlight of this week’s events in the Buffalo literary community.

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Tuesday Night Open Mic Series at the Em Tea Coffeecup Café. All are welcome whether new to poetry or a long-time member of the community. 80 Oakgrove Ave., Buffalo, NY. Free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Aug. Nov. 25, 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: heARTburn civic arts meet-up at Burning Books, curated and moderated by Robin Lee Jordan.

This session will be led by artist & designer Joel Brenden. He will collaborate with attendees to create art and content for a zine to help spread the word about
tenant rights/protections and the propose Good Cause Law.

Background: You can currently be evicted in Buffalo for NO REASON. It doesn’t have to be that way! Nearly 20 cities in New York state have already opted into the Good Cause Law to help renters stay in their homes and help ensure those homes are healthy (including lead-free) and reasonably affordable.

About the artist:

Joel Brenden is an artist and designer based in Buffalo. His photographs and other works explore themes of ecology and built environments, memory, and identity. He holds an MFA in Visual Studies from the University at Buffalo, and a BFA in Drawing at Central Washington University. Brenden is a professor of design and publications in the Department of Art at UB. In 2024 he co-founded gatheringspace, a community-oriented studio focused on supporting collaboration and social engagement through media arts, printing, and performance in Buffalo and Western New York.

Please note: This event is mask-required. Burning Books and heARTburn have some on hand if you need one.

Burning Books, 420 Connecticut St., Buffalo. Free and open to the public

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.: Wednesday Night Live at Caffe Aroma featuring Bianca L. McGraw.

Bianca L. McGraw is an international practicing multimedia installation/performance artist, poet, higher education advocate, community development and engagement facilitator, and diversity presenter. She uses art, poetry, performance and space as a vehicle for discussion about identity, diversity and perspectives while exploring personal, societal and communal experiences.

Completing her Master of Fine Arts Degree encouraged her to continue her education and research on the importance of how art, advocacy, and communal/cultural environments intercept. Her passion is an interchangeable balance between art, design, diversity, poetry, community development and personal engagement. Her artistic exploits have allowed her to showcase her messages nationally in cities including Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Buffalo, as well as internationally in Canada, France, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

McGraw has used these experiences to create a body of spoken word work that has been featured at universities and colleges across the country. She is a tireless advocate for spoken word, helping to facilitate and organize the Wxmen of the World Poetry Slam for multiple years.

Open mic hosted by Ben Brindise and Justin Karcher to follow. 957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Free and open to the public.

Friday, Nov. 28, 8 p.m.: Ground & Sky Poetry Open Mic in Bidwell Park hosted by Joel Lesses and Joe Baiz-Elm. Caffe Aroma, 957 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo. Free and open to the public.

Sunday, Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m.: Pure Ink Poetry Slam, a monthly, two-round spoken word and poetry slam competition series hosted by Brandon Williamson. Pure Ink Poetry Slam is always an open slam without specific themes or requirements other than the general rules of slam. Sign up is from 3 p.m. Open mic and slam starts at 3:30. $5 for slammers, $10 for spectators. Cash prize for the winner. Visit the website www.pureinkpoetry.com for more information. Location: Em Tea Coffeecup Café, 80 Oakgrove Ave., Buffalo, NY.