LOS ANGELES/ORANGE COUNTIES

• Acres of Books open mike with music and poetry, refreshments provided, every Friday, 7:30, Acres of Books, 240 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach, (562) 437.6980, acresofbooks.com.

• A Horse of Another Color presents a featured reading and open mike, hosted by Michael C. Ford and Jennifer Lively, first and third Thursdays monthly, August 16, with an extra event on August 23, 7:00- 9:00. Venice Grind, 12224 Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 397-2227.

• Barnes & Noble Poetry and Verse with Bill Robertson every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., open workshop/reading, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, (310) 260-9110.

• Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center presents an Open Reading, first Sundays monthly, no readings in August, September, and January, free, 5:00, sign up at 4:45. Beginning in October, Poets Beyond the Half Shell usually presents a monthly featured and open reading, two-poem, three-minute limit, hosted by Carlye Archibeque and Richard Modiano, sign up 6:30, reading 7:00. Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org.

• Camelback Readings presents a featured reading and open mike, third Thursdays monthly, hosted by Elsa S. Frausto and Ann Alexander, 6:45. Sunland-Tujunga Public Library, 7771 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga, (818) 353-2833.

• Cobalt Poets presents open readings every Tuesday, hosted by Rick Lupert, with featured readers on the first Tuesday, featured regulars on second Tuesdays, Valley Contemporary Poets featured guest plus open reading on third Tuesdays, and Cobalt Classic All Open Reading every fourth and fifth Tuesdays, seven minute limit, 9:00, sign up 8:30-8:45, free, one drink minimum, all ages. The Cobalt Café, 22047 Sherman Way in Canoga Park (west of Topanga Canyon Blvd.), (818) 348-3789, http://poetrysuperhighway.com/cobalt.

• dA Poetry Lounge hosts a spoken word open mike on Tuesday nights, 8:45-midnight, usually free, sometimes $2-$3. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax near Melrose, LA, free parking next door at Fairfax High School, to sign up early call (213) 390-7072, http://dalounge.performancepoetry.com.

• Eccentric Moon Poetry Series presents a featured reading and an open reading, sponsored by Friends of the Sunland-Tujunga Public Library, every third Friday, 7:00, free. McGroarty Arts Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga, (818) 951-0415.

• GREEN presents an eclectic open mike with features; welcoming writers, musicians, and comedians, three minute limit, hosted by Ratpack Slim, with music provided by DJs Jedi and MikeCheck, every Monday, 9:00-midnight. Palmer Room (in back of La Cucina Paradiso), 3387 Motor Avenue, between Palms and National, LA, greeneverymonday.com.

• Gypsy Den in Santa Ana hosts a featured poetry reading every first Tuesday and open mikes every Monday and Thursday, 7:30. 125 N. Broadway Avenue, Artist's Village, Santa Ana, (714) 835-8840, www.gypsyden.com.

• Marshall McLuhan-Finnegans Wake Reading Club meets first Mondays, with the exception of September 10 (the second Monday) due to Labor Day, 6:00-8:00, Venice-Abbot Kinney Memorial Branch Library, 501 S. Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 821-1769. Coordinator: (310) 306-7330.

• Monday Night Poetry, presents a featured reader followed by an open mike, hosted by Don Kingfisher Campbell, second and fourth Mondays, 8:00-9:30. Santa Catalina Branch of the Pasadena Public Library, 999 E. Washington Blvd. (two blocks east of Lake Avenue), Pasadena, www.home.earthlink.net/~mondaynightpoetry. To sign up in advance or inquire about being featured, e-mail: mondaynightpoetry@earthlink.net.

• Moonday, A West Side Reading Series, an open reading followed by a featured reading, hosted by Lois P. Jones and Alice Pero, second Mondays, 7:30 sharp. Village Books, 1049 Swarthmore Avenue, Pacific Palisades, (310) 454-4063, www.moondaypoetry.com or pero@earthlink.net.

• Mudpuppy Poetry Series and host Theresa Antonia present featured poets plus an open reading, last Fridays, 7:00. E-mail host for more information and location: tc_art@hotmail.com.

• La Palabra presents a featured poetry reading, plus open mike, co-hosted by Laura Longoria and Don Newton, first Sunday monthly, 2:00-4:00. Avenue 50 Studio, 131 No. Avenue 50, Highland Park, (323) 258-1435, www.avenue50studio.com.

• Our Poetic Souls presents an open reading, with hosts Jim Lyon, Lee Collina, and Chrystine Julian, every second and fourth Sunday, sign up 2:30, readings 2:45. Home Brew Coffee, 661 West Arrow Highway, San Dimas, (909) 394-1964, www.chrystinedrums.com/PoeticSouls.

• Poetronigirlz Acoustically Speaking Open Mike, with poetry and music on the patio, hosted by Roni, every Tuesday, sign up 6:30, performance 7:00-9:00. Panera Bread, 12131 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, myspace.com/poetronigirl.

• Psychobabble Cabaret, open reading, every Sunday, sign up 8:00, reading 8:30, free. Psychobabble Coffee House, 1866 North Vermont, at Franklin, LA, (323) 664-7500, joc13@earthlink.net.

• The Rapp Saloon offers a spoken word open mike, every Friday, sign up 7:30, readings 8:00, free and open to all ages. International Youth Hostel, 1436 2nd Street, Santa Monica, www.rappsaloon.com.

• A Reading is Poetry Affair open mike for poetry, live band, with A.K. Toney, last Saturday of each month, 8:30-11:00, $5 cover; 5th Street Dick's Coffee House, 4305 Degnan Blvd., Leimert Park, LA, (323) 296-0040.

• Redondo Poets featured and open poetry reading every Tuesday, sign up 7:45, read 8:00. Coffee Cartel, 1820 South Catalina Avenue, Hollywood Riviera, Redondo Beach, (310) 316-6554, www.redondopoets.com.

• Tebot Bach presents featured readers and open reading, last Friday of the month, sign up to read 7:30 to 7:45, show 8:00. Golden West College, Community Room 102, Huntington Beach, www.tebotbach.org.

• Tia Chucha's Café Spoken Word/Open Mic Night, welcomes writers, musicians, and all performers, every Friday, 8:00, free. Tia Chucha Café, 10258 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace, (818) 896-1489, www.tiachucha.com.

• Two Idiots Peddling Poetry featured and open poetry readings every Wednesday at 8:00, $2 cover or one drink minimum with student ID. Ugly Mug Caffé, 261 N. Glassel, Orange, (714) 997-5610, www.poetryidiots.com.

• Velvet Guerilla Cabaret presents poetry, music, and performance open mike every Wednesday at 8:00, sign up at 7:30. UnUrban Coffeehouse, 3301 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 315-0056, myspace.com/unurbanopenmike.

• World Stage Anansi Writers Workshop presents a three-part evening beginning with a workshop session, followed by a featured reader and a "no b.s."open mike, every Wednesday, 7:30-10:30, $5. World Stage, 4344 Degnan Blvd., LA, (323) 293-2451, www.theworldstage.org.

• WoMoSo (Wordspeak Movement Sound) presents an eight-year-running open mike with spoken word, poetry, memories, theatrical monologues, actors, experimental performance, and undefinables, every Sunday, 8:00, sign-up 7:30-7:55. Abbot's Habit, 1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd., corner of California, Venice, (310) 399-1171.

SAN BERNARDINO/RIVERSIDE COUNTIES

• Barnes & Noble hosts an open poetry mike, second Fridays, 7:00. Montclair Plaza, 5183 Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair, (909) 399-1966.

• Barnes & Noble hosts an open poetry mike, fourth Tuesdays, 7:00. The Crossings, 2470 Tuscany Street, Corona. (951)735-0038.

• Barnes & Noble hosts an open poetry mike, third Fridays, 7:30. Galleria at Tyler, 3485 Tyler Street, Riverside, (951) 358-0899.

• Barnes & Noble hosts the "Valley Voices of the Muse" featured poet and open reading, first Fridays, 6:00. Westfield Shopping Center, 72840 US Highway 111, Palm Desert (760) 346-0725. Patricia D'Alessandro, host: ciaopat@earthlink.net.

• Turn That Mic Up presents featured spoken word artists and an open mike, every first and third Friday of the month, 9:00, $3. Mystic Coffee, 934 North Mountain Ave., Suites A + B, Upland, (909) 559-4955, myspace.com/turnthatmicup, e-mail turnthatmicup@yahoo.com.

SAN DIEGO AREA

• Barnes & Noble presents a poetry series with featured poets followed by an open mike, hosted by Seretta Martin and Jackleen Holton, third Monday of each month, with occasional other dates, 7:00-9:00. Barnes & Noble, 7610 Hazard Center Drive, at 163 and Friars Road, San Diego, (619) 220-0175, wordsoup@juno.com.

• Bluestocking Books and Bindery presents a small and eclectic reading, hosted by Curran Jeffries, Kris, and Tom, the first Monday of each month, if Monday falls on a holiday, reading will be held on the second Monday, 7:00-9:00. 3817 Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest, San Diego, (619) 296-1424.

• Green Room open mike, hosted by Larry Dossey, second and fourth Mondays, 8:00-10:00, sign up 7:45. Twiggs Bakery and Coffeehouse, 4590 Park Blvd., University Heights, in San Diego, (619) 296-0616.

• Lestat's Coffeehouse presents a songwriters/poets open mike, every Monday, 7:30-11:00, sign up 6:00. 3343 Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, San Diego, (619) 282-0437.

• Poetry and More, the Off Beat Open Mike, second and fourth Sundays, 5:00-7:00, and Open Mike Night and Family Jam every Thursday at 8:00. Rebecca's Coffee House, 3015 Juniper Street, San Diego, (619) 284-3663.

• Poetry Bench open reading, first Sunday monthly, noon. Balboa Park, Qunice Street, at 6th Avenue, San Diego, www.poetrybench.com.

• San Diego Poetry Slam, spoken word celebration and tournament that features locally renowned poets as well as brand new slammers, compete for cash prizes, second and fourth Mondays, sign up 8:00, show 8:30, no cover/$5 for competitors. Voz Alta, 1544 Broadway, San Diego, (619) 230-1869, sdpoetryslam.com.

• San Diego Writers presents an open mike for prose writers, hosted by Amy Wallen, first Friday each month, 7:00, $5 donation. The Grove, 3010 Juniper Street, at 30th Street, South Park, San Diego, (619) 284-7684, Amylizwrites@hotmail.com.

• Say What? Open Mike, every Wednesday, 8:45. The Other Side Coffee House, 4096 30th Street, San Diego, (619) 521-0533.

• Sunset Poets presents a featured poet followed by an open mike, hosted by Dick Eiden and Clifton King, third Sundays, 3:00-5:30. Flying Bridge Restaurant, 1105 North Coast Highway, Oceanside, (760) 722-1151 or www.sunsetpoets.org.

• Vessel open mike features a local artist and invites, poets, singers, actors, comedians, with live music, drinks, and refreshments, every first and third friday, 8:00, $3 cover. Canvas Cafe, 1370 San Marcos Blvd., Suite 120A, San Marcos, www.myspace.com/thevesselmovement.

• VIBES open reading hosted by Eduardo Cong and Amara Momoh, every Saturday, 9:00-11:00. Coffee House on Broadway, 2991 Broadway, San Diego.

• Drunk Poets Society presents a feature and open mike, hosted by Ola, every Monday, 5:30-8:00. Winston's Beach Club, 1921 Bacon Street, San Diego, 619-222-6822, www.myspace.com/winstonsdrunkpoetssociety.

SAN LUIS OBISPO/SANTA BARBARA/VENTURA

• Artists' Union Gallery presents a featured reader with an open mike to follow, hosted by Roe Estep, every Tuesday, 7:30. Artists' Union Gallery, 330 South California Street, Ventura, (805) 320-3524.

• The Outlaw Poets open mike and featured poetry reading with hosts Tree Bernstein and Jason Diller, every first Friday of the month, 7:00. Bart's Books, 302 W. Matilija, Ojai, (805) 646-3755, bartsbooks@yahoo.com.

• Bell Arts Factory presents a featured poet and an open reading last Saturday monthly, 7:30. Bells Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura, www.bellartsfactory.com.

• Corners of the Mouth! presents an open reading after the featured poets, limited to five minutes and original work every third Sunday monthly since 1984, free, 7:00. Linnaea's Café, 1110 Garden Street, San Luis Obispo. Kevin Patrick Sullivan, Artistic Director, (805) 547-1318.

• Favorite Poems Project reading, poets and non-poets read favorite poems not their own, hosted by Lois Klein, third Monday monthly, 5:15-6:30. The Blue Agave, 20 East Cota Street, Santa Barbara. e-mail: loisklein@verizon.net.

• Kava Dume presents an open mike, hosted by Miss Marissa "Con Gusto," every Wednesday monthly except the first, 7:30. Kava Dume, 5653 Kana Road, Agoura, (818) 865-8602.

• Poets' Night Out holds a featured and open reading, third Thursdays, 7:00. Ye Olde Book Shoppe, 4303 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Hosted by Jane Elsdon, (805)466-0356.

• Muddy Waters presents an open reading hosted by Chella Courington, every fourth Thursday, on summer hiatus, starts in September, 7:00-9:00. Muddy Waters Coffee House, 508 E. Haley, Santa Barbara, couring@sbcc.edu.

• Poetry Zone presents featured reader and open mike, every second Saturday, on summer hiatus, 2:00-4:00. Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 21 W. Anapamu, Santa Barbara. Information: Virginia Mariposa at dalearth@earthlink.net.

• Soap Box Poets open mike, first Sundays, 3:00, Borders Books, Camino Real Shopping Center, Goleta. Information: Kathleen Roxby at kroxby@mentorcorp.com.

• Tuesday Night Poets presents a featured reader followed by an open mike, every Tuesday, 7:30-9:00. Union Gallery, 330 South California Street, Ventura, (805) 320-3524, thetuesdaynightpoets.com.