Teens take the stage at Deschutes Public Library’s first teen-focused open mic night at Dudley’s Bookshop Café on Friday, May 22. Teens, ages 12 -17, are invited to share original writing, acoustic music or read aloud a favorite passage or poem at the open mic. The event is free and the public is invited to attend.

April Witteveen, Community Librarian at the Downtown Bend Library, says that the open mic evolved from the well-received and brand-new teen writing group at the Downtown Bend library. “We met monthly for the past six months and I wanted to give these great writers a chance to share their writing with an audience,” says Witteveen. The open mic night at Dudley’s is a unique event in the Central Oregon literary scene and currently the only opportunity that provides teens a place to share their creativity and what they are passionate about says Witteveen. “People can expect to hear teens bravely sharing their own poetry, story segments, fan fiction (stories based off popular television shows, movies, or other books) and acoustic music from the budding singer-songwriters and band members in our area,” she says.

Witteveen meets monthly with a teen advisory board, a group of students who brainstorm possible Library program ideas. “The advisory board has been interested in this type of event, especially when it’s held in a neat location like Dudley’s, and now we’re making it happen,” she says.

For more information about this or other library programs, please visit the library website at www.deschuteslibrary.org. People with disabilities needing accommodations (alternative formats, seating or auxiliary aides) should contact Liz at (541) 312-1032.