Esso Open Mic Poetry feat. Bill Campana

Every third Sunday, except in the brutally hot summer months, the Valley’s own Esso Coffeehouse is the venue for a poetry event. Event host Russ Kasmierczak and Esso proprietor Sharon Kroger have decreed that every year, spoken word superstar Bill Campana, whose birthday is in December, shall be the December feature.

It was my honor and pleasure to fill in as host for Russ last night, he being needed in faraway Iowa. Here’s what I looked like as I hosted:

A dozen quite distinct poetic voices signed up for the open mic. Here is the list, and the mic, and the pen that was used to sign up:

And here all the open mic performers except the brilliant Roxanne Doty, who was so mesmerizing that I forgot to take her picture:

After a refreshment break, I introduced Bill, and he amazed us all with dozens of displays of verbal pyrotechnics.

After the enthusiastic applause died down, I went to the mic to wrap up, which, per long-standing tradition, included handing out a commemorative zine published by Russ prior to his departure.

I am proud to have hosted this December 2025 incarnation of the event. Big thanks to Russ and Sharon and all participants and helpers!