THE HARLEM BOMB SHELTER is a spoken-word and literary arts organization that produces open mics, showcases, workshops, and opportunities for education and empowerment through expression and entertainment. Much like a physical bomb shelter is an escape and shield from war, explosions, nuclear fallout, and apocalypse, The Harlem Bomb Shelter is a relief from the war and fallout of our everyday lives: where those who make it, pool their resources, experiences, thoughts, and ideas together in preparation to repair and rebuild "the real world."
“I suffer an antisocial disorder with paperwork saying any friends I make will be a 'Miraculous Manifestation' and The Bomb Squad is indeed quite Miraculous."
- Will Succeed the Artist, Bomb Squad (Mentorship Program) Member
OPEN MIC & SHOWCASE IN HARLEM
The Harlem Open Mic & Showcase is a monthly event for performance artists and arts fans to express themselves, share in culture, and build relationships through networking. Our open mic’ers AND features vary from first-timers to seasoned vets. We’ve watched artists who started with us become household names over the years and it’s a beautiful thing.
Hosted by cultural curator The Artist Anubis.
with world-renowned spoken word artist Poetic Boy D.
EVERY 4TH THURSDAY @ 6:30 PM IN HARLEM
OPEN MIC & SPOTLIGHT ONLINE
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Open Mic & Spotlight online began in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine as a way to continue cultivating arts. The Online Open Mic & Spotlight allows people all over the world to take part in performing their art and being received by people who may share thoughts, feelings, and experiences. People who would’ve previously never crossed paths are now coming together to share all of their amazing poetic vibes.
Hosted by cultural curator The Artist Anubis
and phenomenal poetess Fefe.
EVERY 2ND THURSDAY @ 8:00 PM ON ZOOM
OPEN MIC & HAZARDOUS CONVERSATION
The Bomb Shelter is a spoken word platforms for sharing art and ideas through open mics, showcases, spotlights, features, workshops, and now "Hazardous Conversation" is where we discuss tough issues, controversial topics, and inspire social change to grow as a community by our sharing ideas along with our art.
Hosted by the phenomenal poetess Fefe.
EVERY SUNDAY @ 1:00 PM ON CLUBHOUSE
TEEN OPEN MIC & POETRY SLAM
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Teen Open Mic & Poetry Slam
is a monthly program serving a youth creatives ages 12 to 18. An hour-long open mic is followed by a slam poetry competition. The space is open to singers, writers, rappers, and phenomenal poetry slammers. We create a comfortable space for teens led by teens and young adults. Each month, the first-place winner is awarded a cash prize and the opportunity to compete in the HBS Annual Teen Poetry Slam Finals for a $250 grand prize.
Hosted by dynamic youth poet and curator Queen of Drafts
with poetry slam champion Feyisayo
and teen poet Josephine.
EVERY 3RD THURSDAY @ 7:00 PM ON ZOOM
“As an emerging poet, HBS Teen Open Mic & Poetry Slam was exactly what I needed: people to not only compete against but to also grow with. The teen open mic and Harlem Bomb Shelter at large are the truest definitions of community, no one gets left behind."
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- Feyisayo, Teen Open Mic & Poetry Slam
FRESH FACE SHOWCASE
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Fresh Face Showcase continues in Harlem Bomb Shelter’s humble beginnings of being a space that uplifts “first time artists.” The Fresh Face Showcase was started as a platform dedicated to featuring artists who may have never gotten to give a feature performance before or would like to expand their audience.
Harlem Bomb Shelter provides basic communications and marketing training with promotional techniques to increase ticket sales.
Hosted by internationally known poet and rapper AC Lightnin.
EVERY 1ST THURSDAY @ 8:00 PM ON ZOOM
& 6:30 PM IN HARLEM IN FEB, MAY, AUG, & NOV
WRITERS CIRCLE
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Writers Circle workshop is a virtual community space designed to strengthen writers, align writers with purpose, and encourage exploration of new avenues. Each themed series focuses on personal growth, mental health, and mindset just as much as it focuses on literary devices. This makes the Harlem Bomb Shelter writing space a welcoming one for all skill levels and interests. Individualized daily feedback ensures growth and appreciation. Each writer’s gift is highlighted to make a memorable and impactful experience.
Hosted by renowned poet and performer Jamie Dawson.
MONTHLY 5-DAY SERIES ON INSTAGRAM
PERFORMERS SPHERE
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Performers Sphere workshop breaks down the analysis and strategy necessary to enter any speaking engagement, performance, or set with the confidence that you are going to rock it. There are tips and tricks we have gathered through over a decade of experience. We encourage all Harlem Bomb Shelter participants to enter the Performer’s Sphere to ensure that their message is heard and intentions felt by their audience.
Hosted by renowned poet and performer Jamie Dawson.
MONTHLY 1-HOUR MASTERCLASS ON ZOOM
SIMPLICITY OF SENSUALITY
The Harlem Bomb Shelter Simplicity Of Sensuality (SOS) workshop is an intimate 'erotic' poetry writing experience. SOS teaches tools of the trade for writing sensual poems where "selflove is at the foundation and erogenous writing is an honored art art-form.
Hosted by the phenomenal poetess Fefe.
EVERY LAST MONDAY @ 8:00 PM ON ZOOM
HEALING IS THE BOMB
Healing Is The Bomb is the quarterly mental health series of Harlem Bomb Shelter combining physical movement, centering, guided venting, creative writing, and an open mic. Most importantly, Healing Is The Bomb forums feature a mental health professional to provide feedback and resources that complement the theme of the session and supplement the open peer-support style conversations.
EVERY 5TH THURSDAY @ 6:30 PM IN HARLEM
SHELTER IN THE STREETS
The Harlem Bomb Shelter's Shelter In The Streets movement is an annual outdoor pop-up open mic hosted simultaneously by poets and curators all over the world. Shelter In The Streets launched in the summer of 2020 at the intersection of a “shelter in place” order due to the pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests due to police brutality. Shelter In The Streets has had partners from locations including Maryland, Connecticut, California, Texas, North Carolina, Florida, and more. The public performance nature of the movement brings art and culture to passersby who may otherwise never witness it
2ND SATURDAY OF AUGUST.
"The event brought together a few artists from around the Baltimore community who felt the need to come together in the thick of the pandemic to share art, rebuild community, and support something a little bigger than ourselves."
- JJ Loves 2 Teach, Baltimore, MD, SITS Curator 2020
"It's always a beautiful thing to have the honor of performing, but to do so in a public space where Harlem became the audience, put the artistic connection on a pedestal that hasn't been reached by most stages that I've been able to step onto."
- Luis Enrique III, Harlem, NY, SITS Participant 2022
“I was informed of the HBS platform by fellow writer, Poeticboy D. It was
my first time hearing about a "poetry team" that is curated with the intention of
helping artists grow in their craft and in their network.
- Khaotic, Bomb Squad Member
THE BOMB SQUAD (MENTORSHIP PROGRAM)
The Bomb Squad is the Harlem Bomb Shelter flagship collective of NYC poets and performers representing Harlem Bomb Shelter across the greater performance art community while receiving opportunities, training, and mentorship from seasoned Harlem Bomb Shelter team members. Each Squad member mentors a new Bomb Squad member after a year in the program. Bomb Squad members receive complimentary Harlem Bomb Shelter paraphernalia and performing opportunities including but not limited to Harlem Week, the NYC Marathon, and a Fresh Face Showcase.
Hosted by cultural curator The Artist Anubis.
with world-renowned spoken word artist Poetic Boy D.
NEW COHORT EVERY JUNE
"SPEAKEASY" SERIES
Originally named The Bomb Shelter: Harlem’s Spoken Word Speakeasy, The Harlem Bomb Shelter presents our “Speakeasy” Series, a suite of diverse curated poetry showcases at unique Harlem restaurant lounges.
Poetry & Soul @ Lucille's Coffee & Cocktails
3RD SUNDAY @ 5:30 PM FEB. MAY. AUG. NOV.
Poetry & Conversations @ The Porch
EVERY 1ST TUESDAY @ 8:00 PM
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