Contributed by Danny Skinner
Notable local poet Al Black and guests recently celebrated the 1,000th gathering of Mind Gravy, an open mic reading for writers in the Midlands. Columbia needed an open mic platform for poets 14 years ago, so Black began searching, keeping at it until the Wednesday night group found a home in a local coffee shop just off the USC campus. “ Writers and listeners will drive a hundred miles just to experience this gathering,” commented one regular. “We only have one rule,” Black says. “It has to be original. No judgments and no criticisms— just original.” Mind Gravy meets Wednesday nights 7–9 p.m., Drip Coffee Shop, 729 Saluda Avenue. For more information, email albeemindgravy@gmail.com or visit the group’s Facebook page.
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