Nuyorican Poets Cafe

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Nuyorican Poets Cafe

Exec. Director:
Our programs continue in different venues despite being closed for renovations. Visit NUYORICAN.ORG for tickets & info

07/07/2026

Breaking news 🚨🖋️ The Nuyorican’s Slam Workshop got a revamp for the new fiscal year! Slam Workshop: Theory in Practice is a FREE, online series facilitated by 2015 Grand Slam Champion and MFA holder, Joel Francois

The multi-part workshop series will feature six poetic disciplines throughout the year, each drawing from proven methods to articulate personal narratives. There will be two sessions per poetic discipline. Session 1 will cover Theory and Works, and Session 2 is a Practicum of the discipline.

Though all sessions are structured to build upon each other, drop-in attendance is still welcomed!

Learn more and RSVP at nuyorican.org/calendar

This event is funded in part by Poets & Writers with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

07/05/2026

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe wishes to amplify Cave Canem's next endeavor!

Last year, Cave Canem endeavored on its first research project, “Magnitude and Bond: A
Field Study on the State of Black Literary Arts Organizations”. From that work, they gained
valuable insight into the lack of funding for Black literary arts organizations that support the
work of Black writers. There is much learning to be had from the community of African
Diasporic poets at large, and from the communities within that community, which overlap
and network with each other.

To document these networks, Cave Canem, in collaboration with Slover Linett at NORC, is
conducting a Black Poet census that surveys the Black poetic community at large. The
answers you provide will be digested in a public report, “deep like the rivers...”: a Report on
Black Poets, and later a digital mapping tool, to be published in 2027. The report takes its
name from the Langston Hughes poem, “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.”

The survey is open now through July 8th. Visit the link in our bio to learn more and participate.

07/03/2026

Do you identify as a Black poet? The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is supporting Cave Canem, in collaboration with Slover Linett at NORC, as they
develop a Black Poet census. The responses will be digested in a public report, “deep like
the rivers...”: a Report on Black Poets, and later a digital mapping tool, to be published in
2027. The report takes its name from the Langston Hughes poem, “The Negro Speaks of
Rivers.”

The survey is open now through July 8th. Visit the link in our bio to learn more and participate.

07/02/2026

is June 2026’s Nuyorican Poets Cafe Final Friday Slam Winner!

Kaleo’s work ethic in the poetry scene is second to none, and their willingness to repeatedly hit the pavement to compete in the next poetry slam has brought them closer and closer to spoken word’s “metaphoric” finish line; the Nuyorican Grand Slam.

As of now, Kaleo is amongst a small handful of ultra-talented poets that have qualified for this year’s Grand Slam, but the standings are subject to change until the last month of the slam season. Check the standings out at Nuyorican.org/slam and give a follow to watch their rise to the top!

07/01/2026

For most New Yorkers, these last few weekends have been the best in a LONG TIME! Of course, at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, we feel much the same; but those feelings of alignment, camaraderie, and shared purpose with your fellows, well…. we experience that every week!

If you’re Jonesing for that same communal energy, get involved today by clicking the links in our BIO!

Thanks again to everyone who walked with us and showed us support at the PR Parade! We’re still holding events offsite. Don’t be a stranger.

06/29/2026

If you weren’t at this month’s Final Friday Slam, You Missed Out! The illustrious blessed our Nuyorican stage with award-winning poetry from across the Atlantic Ocean.

Botlhale’s work ignites the electrifying sensation of pride in all those who listen, and we at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe are especially proud to have hosted her at our event! Please take a moment to visit page and give her a follow so you can keep up with her sensational performances while she’s in the states.

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe and its staff offer Botlhale and her team our heartfelt thanks! Hope to see you again soon!

06/28/2026

Our Slam Team travelled out to the SoFried National Poetry Competition and represented both The Nuyorican Poets Cafe and New York as a whole!

From the bottom of all our hearts we congratulate and give thanks to our awesome poets and coaches: &

Please show our slam team your appreciation by swinging them a follow and supporting them!
We love you guys, stay great!

06/27/2026

The first Wednesday of every month is our Womxn Orator Wednesday hosted by the Nuyorican 2024 Grand Slam Champion and featuring 🎙️ Signups occur in person only and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to foster a safer and more intimate space for sharing and bonding amongst participants, we will no longer be streaming/filming our WOW events! For those of you who have skipped out to avoid the cameras, now's the time to come and connect 💥

Tix are only $10 to participate! Get your ticket at the door or order online today at nuyorican.org/calendar This project is made possible in part through the Mid Atlantic Folk and Traditional Arts - Community Projects program of Mid Atlantic Arts with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

06/25/2026

The Nuyorican Poets Cafe is grateful for the recognition received from Mayor Mamdani during his speech for the Puerto Rican Heritage reception on June 12, 2026. He recognized our founders, our humble beginnings and the impact Nuyorican culture has had on the world. Moments like these are a reminder that our stories, our culture, and our voices belong at the center of New York City’s narrative. The recognition of Puerto Rican contributions is more than a celebration of our past, it is an investment in our future. While meeting with our Executive Director, the Mayor reiterated his deep respect and commitment to our poetic movement. Thank you to the Mayor, we remain inspired to continue building spaces where Puerto Rican, Nuyorican and NYC voices are not only heard, but celebrated!
¡Que viva Puerto Rico Libre 🇵🇷 y que viva la cultura Nuyorican!

Photo creds:

06/23/2026

As we celebrate Pride Month, it’s important to reflect on the people, struggles, and milestones that paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights today, especially in Puerto Rico. Mirroring the efforts of the organizations formed after the 1969 Stonewall Revolt, in 1973 the Comunidad de Orgullo Gay became the first gay rights organization in Puerto Rico to combat decades of harsh discrimination and provide resources for the LGBTQ+ community on the island. In 1975, a permanent headquarters was also established in the ward of Río Piedras, where Comunidad leaders provided a safe space and fought tirelessly against legislation that threatened the erasure of a community trying to survive daily. However, after just a short period of beginning operations, the Comunidad de Orgullo was disbanded. Despite the dissipation of this instrumental organization, its actions spearheaded the gay liberation movement in Puerto Rico.

After more decades of activism, on June 23, 1991 Puerto Ricans and their allies took to the streets for San Juan’s first Gay Pride parade, serving as a milestone in Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ history. The historic march was led by Christina Hayworth, a Puerto Rican transgender activist and 1969 Stonewall uprising participant. Over one hundred participants gathered to lay the foundation of what would become an annual celebration of resistance, pride, and visibility across the island which still continues today.

06/21/2026

Wednesday June 24th, take your performance art to the next level! Sign up for The Nuyorican Open Mic .center hosted by 🎙️ You'll get to perform in a professional studio setting and elevate your work. Signups only occur in person and are limited to 15 guaranteed spots for those who arrive prior to 7pm, so arrive early to secure yours! Tix can be bought online at nuyorican.org/calendar or in person!

Address

Lower East Side
New York, NY
10009

Website

https://www.nuyorican.org/

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