Join Us at our Next Open Mic:
6:30pm on October 13th @ ICONS
Get ready for a night of incredible performances at the Queer Open Mic! Our fabulous feature is Kenny Idleman! Join us on October 13th at ICONS for an unforgettable night of poetry, music, and comedy. Doors are at 6:30PM, the show starts at 7.
Our event will be a celebration of queer art and culture, featuring talented performers from the local community and beyond. With a focus on inclusivity and diversity, we welcome performers of all genders, sexualities, and identities to attend, though the stage is for LGBTQIA2+ voices.
Kenny Idleman certainly has various credentials. Multiple institutions, notably Pikes Peak Community (now State) College and Colorado State University-Fort Collins, have sent them multiple high quality pieces of paper in very thick envelopes, (though one was admittedly lost in the mail.) Now leading the jewelry and metalsmithing program at Pikes Peak State College, teaching at Bemis School or Art, and hosting and organizing the weekly “Coyoetry” event through Concrete Couch, Kenny has completed the full-circle long-con, meticulously and advantageously manipulating his way into a career in the arts over his long and colorful life.
Covid-19 info: We ask that this be a masked event so that those in our community who are immuno-compromised can be in attendance. Venue staff may be unmasked, but we ask that attendees mask so that this event can be accessible for at-risk and immunocompromised attendees. Masks can be removed when speaking at the mic. A limited number of masks will be provided.
Whether you're a seasoned performer or just looking to enjoy some amazing art, the Queer Open Mic is the place to be. See you there!
About the Keep Colorado Springs Queer Open Mic
Founded in 2016 by Han Sayles and Nico Wilkinson at Mountain Fold Books, Keep Colorado Springs Queer is a celebration of Colorado Springs queer art and culture. The event has featured over a dozen local and touring LGBTQIA2+ artists. With a focus on inclusivity and diversity, we welcome performers of all genders, sexualities, and identities to attend, though the stage is for LGBTQIA2+ voices.
The open mic continues to this day, and is now organized by Nico Wilkinson and Corri Mercy.
To learn more or come to future events, join our Facebook group, or follow Nico on Instagram for updates.
Want to feature at queer open mic?
If you’re a local or traveling performer and you’re interested in featuring at queer open mic, please contact me and we can look at available dates. All performers are paid an honorarium and are offered a place to crash during their stay in Colorado Springs.
Covid Precautions Statement - 2024
We align with disability justice advocates in asserting that the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and still poses a very real risk to all people, including an increased risk of severe complications and long COVID for queer and trans people. Further, we believe that members of our community who are at-risk, disabled, and immunocompromised also deserve spaces for creative expression in which they feel safe. As such, this is a mask mandatory event for all attendees. We can’t guarantee that venues and venue staff will also wear masks, but we can make a huge impact in reducing risk by masking ourselves. We recommend the usage of respirators, but we will have disposable face masks at the door available for those that need them.
Past Queer Open Mics
In a desire to archive and highlight the amazing and talented people as well as the generous organizations and venues that have helped make this event possible over the years, I’ve gone through old Facebook posts and events to assemble this list of past events. If I happened to miss an event, if you have photos of an event you’d like to add to this archive, or if you want any photos removed, please contact me!
Want to listen to some hits by featured queer open mic acts? Enjoy the Spotify playlist!
2024
6.7.2024 - Queer Open Mic featuring Emberlee Autumn Ashwind at the PPAC Queer Narratives Gallery at ZoneFIVE
2023
10.15.23 - Queer Open Mic at Performance of Midge and the Butcher with Springs Ensemble Theater
10.11.23 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Irina Amouzou at Icons CO
9.27.23 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Benjamin Morse and the Sensations at Icons CO
7.19.23 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Corri Mercy at Icons CO
6.21.23 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Glitter Porn at Icons CO
5.18.23 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius at Icons CO
2022
11.26.22 - Virtual Queer Open Mic and Club Q Remembrance Event with Poetry719
10/20/22 - Queer Open Mic at the Poetry719 Festival, Featuring Aerik Francis and MarioWanna at Icons CO
6.17.22 - Clothing Swap and Open Mic Featuring Nova and the Ghost in collaboration with CC Mobile Arts at COATI
5.13.22 - Featuring Gee “Gingy” Riley at The Hall
3.10.22 - Virtual Queer Open Mic
2.10.22 - Virtual Queer Open Mic
2021
8.7.21 - Outdoor Queer Open Mic at 116 E Boulder collaboration with CC Mobile Arts, CC Fine Arts Center
2020
12.10.20 - Virtual Queer Open Mic feat. Aerik Francis
4.9.20 - Virtual Queer Open Mic Featuring Liza Sparks
2019
11.24.19 - Queer Open Mic and Clothing Swap featuring Spencer LaJoye at Vista Grande United Church of Christ
7.5.19 - Queer Open Mic featuring Josephine the Singer at Switchback Coffee Roasters
2.22.19 - Millennial Break-up Haiku Book Release Featuring Kaleena Kovach at The Modbo
2018
12.17.18 - Featuring Lyd Havens in collaboration with Pikes Peak Women for Liberation and Hear, Here!
9.24.18 - Queer Open Mic and Vegan Potluck at Switchback Coffee Roasters
8.17.18 - Queer Open Mic and Orphanism Book Release featuring Devin Walker at The Quaill Club
5.5.18 - Queer Open Mic and Vegan Potluck Featuring Jamie Mortara at Switchback Coffee Roasters
3.24.18 - Queer Open Mic Featuring F.A.G.S. at Switchback Coffee Roasters
6.18.18 - Queer Open Mic Featuring RUUNE at the Gallery Below
2017
11.14.17 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Wheelchair Sports Camp at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
11.4.17 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Cal Bee in Collaboration with Hear, Here! at Switchback Coffee Roasters
7.15.2017 - Queer Open Mic Featuring The Milk Blossoms at The Modbo
6.16.17 - Queer Open Mic Featuring Joy Young at Switchback Coffee Roasters
5.27.17 - Queer Open Mic featuring Nikolas Martell at Switchback Coffee Roasters
3.18.17 - Queer Open Mic featuring Stoney Bertz at GOCA
1.20.17 - Inauguration Book Release by Nico Wilkinson and Idris Goodwin at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
2016
12.8.16 - Featuring Rock, Paper, Scissors! at Rooted Studio
12.2016 - Queer Open Mic and Fundraiser at Inside Out Youth Services
11.10.16 - Featuring Ashley Cornelius at Rooted Studio
9.1.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
7.14.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
6.10.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
5.5.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
4.7.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
3.3.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books
2.5.16 - Queer Open Mic at Mountain Fold Books