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Welcome to The Nuyorican Poets Café,
a cultural icon on New York’s Lower East Side since 1973.

 
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On October 31st, 2023, the Nuyorican Poets Café celebrated its 50th anniversary and closed its doors to begin off-site programming.

On November 1st, 2023, we closed our iconic doors for a $24 million, 3-year building renovation project -- called the "Nuyoricanstruction" phase -- ushering us into the next 50 years. Our Open Mics, Poetry Slams, Grand Slams, Music Programs and Educational Programs are now taking place in various venues around the Lower East Side and NYC. Check out our Full Events Calendar for information and tickets.

Help us keep poetry, jazz, Hip-hop, and theater alive on the lower east side

“The NUYOrican poets Cafe is the most integrated place on the planet”
– Allen Ginsberg

** The Nuyorican presents groundbreaking works of literature, music, theater, performance art, poetry slam, Hip-Hop, visual art and champions established as well as rising artists from every background imaginable for ALL AGES. To find out more about the Cafe, see our Program pages, check out our events calendar and come on down to the biggest little stage on earth. **

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Join us online for Stimulive with @jivepoetic and @elisabetvelasquezpoetry , Make it Make Sense poetry workshop with @paulconqueso, the Monday Night Online Open Mic, the Thursday Night Open Mic, I'm Funnier Than You, Worldwide Music Showcase, the Enc
Join us online for Stimulive with @jivepoetic and @elisabetvelasquezpoetry , Make it Make Sense poetry workshop with @paulconqueso, the Monday Night Online Open Mic, the Thursday Night Open Mic, I'm Funnier Than You, Worldwide Music Showcase, the Encore Screening of Word Love and Music and Monologues! Info at www.nuyorican.org.
Tonight! Tune in for @stories_nyc Voices of Pride, a variety show in honor of Pride hosted by @chuliboo. Poets, actors, and musicians will share performances inspired by their lives in the NYC LGTBQ community! Zoom ID 862 5280 9288 #pride #pridemon
Tonight! Tune in for @stories_nyc Voices of Pride, a variety show in honor of Pride hosted by @chuliboo. Poets, actors, and musicians will share performances inspired by their lives in the NYC LGTBQ community! Zoom ID 862 5280 9288 #pride #pridemonth #newyork #newyorkcity #neighborhood #stories
Tonight! A showcase of acclaimed indigenous artists, co-presented with AMERINDA. David Martine will speak about the Native American contemporary art movement plus a dramatic reading of the play United Nations. Hosted by John Scott Richardson. Zoom I
Tonight! A showcase of acclaimed indigenous artists, co-presented with AMERINDA. David Martine will speak about the Native American contemporary art movement plus a dramatic reading of the play United Nations. Hosted by John Scott Richardson. Zoom ID 856 6090 7695 #indigenous #amerinda #unitednations
This weekend, join us online for the @aslslam, hosted by Jerald Creer; the Art Slam (in which painters Shayla Mona'e and Dylan Aiello create new work inspired by @hdlewispoet's Juneteenth poetic prompt); an encore Father's Day screening of Kraal Kayo
This weekend, join us online for the @aslslam, hosted by Jerald Creer; the Art Slam (in which painters Shayla Mona'e and Dylan Aiello create new work inspired by @hdlewispoet's Juneteenth poetic prompt); an encore Father's Day screening of Kraal Kayo Charles' A Tribute to Black Fathers; and the Indigenous Voices Showcase, presented with Amerinda and featuring theatrical and visual work by David Martine (Apache/Shinnecock), Matt Cross (Kiowa) and Haskell King (Choctaw). Details at www.nuyorican.org.
Join us for two outdoor events (a celebration with @wildprojectnyc and @pipelinetheatre; and @thetenementmuseum Grand Reopening Block Party); and lots of online events: the @aslslam, Indigenous Voices Showcase with Amerinda, the Art Slam, Neighborho
Join us for two outdoor events (a celebration with @wildprojectnyc and @pipelinetheatre; and @thetenementmuseum Grand Reopening Block Party); and lots of online events: the @aslslam, Indigenous Voices Showcase with Amerinda, the Art Slam, Neighborhood Stories: Voices of Pride; a panel event with the @bwiclafffest, the Monday Night Online Open Mic and Thursday Night Open Mic. And read survey results about how the pandemic has impacted NYC's literary community. Details at bit.ly/NPCJune
We are thrilled to present a new online event series: Music and Monologues! On 6/1, @kimberlychatter and @afrantasticgoaldigger will each perform a monologue, and musicians @cheeyangmusic and @juanalunamusiq will perform their musical responses. Hos
We are thrilled to present a new online event series: Music and Monologues! On 6/1, @kimberlychatter and @afrantasticgoaldigger will each perform a monologue, and musicians @cheeyangmusic and @juanalunamusiq will perform their musical responses. Host Madelyn Bonilla @_madyj will guide the event; a Q&A will follow. RSVP and learn more at our website www.nuyorican.org. . . #monologues #music
This year's short play and monologue festival was a huge success! There were so many talented performances, and such powerful messages and amazing direction, that we're celebrating the TOP SIX productions, ranked by audience vote. The winners and hon
This year's short play and monologue festival was a huge success! There were so many talented performances, and such powerful messages and amazing direction, that we're celebrating the TOP SIX productions, ranked by audience vote. The winners and honorable mentions will be invited to perform their works in person at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe this Fall! . The Winners of the "Best of Fest" 2021 Theater Festival are: 1st Place - "Papi" written & directed by Ashley L. Calderon 2nd Place - "American Slavery 101" written by Nia Akilah Robinson & directed by KM Jones 3rd Place - "Adulting" written by Amira Mustapha & directed by Stephanie Stowe . Our honorable mentions are: 4th Place - "Fair Play" written by Shaquille Edwards & directed by Juan Ramirez jr. 5th Place - "Dinner Date 2020" written by Helene Galek & directed by Kathleen O'Neill 6th Place - "Blue" written by Caridad Svich & directed by Maya Quetzali Gonzalez . Congratulations to all participating creatives! . #theater #festival #nyc
Join us online for the ASL SLAM, DREAMing Out Loud with @penamerica, Nuyorican Worldwide Showcase on IG Live, Monday Night Online Open Mic, Thursday Night Open Mic, Music and Monologues, A Father's Worth in Words: A Trib
Join us online for the ASL SLAM, DREAMing Out Loud with @penamerica, Nuyorican Worldwide Showcase on IG Live, Monday Night Online Open Mic, Thursday Night Open Mic, Music and Monologues, A Father's Worth in Words: A Tribute to Black Fathers, and encore screenings of Liberty's Daughters, the NoPassport Book Launch and HerStory! Details and RSVP at www.nuyorican.org
Slots still available for tonight's online open mic! Sign up at bit.ly/NPCThursOpenMic
Slots still available for tonight's online open mic! Sign up at bit.ly/NPCThursOpenMic
Three comic legends in the making - @ejthecomic, @ginayashere, and @roywoodjr, join us live and online as they converse about the art and craft of comedy writing! Don't miss Word Love: The Art and Craft of Comedy Writing this Sunday! . #nuyorican #f
Three comic legends in the making - @ejthecomic, @ginayashere, and @roywoodjr, join us live and online as they converse about the art and craft of comedy writing! Don't miss Word Love: The Art and Craft of Comedy Writing this Sunday! . #nuyorican #festival
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen TONIGHT and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021Onli
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen TONIGHT and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021OnlineTheaterFestival . . Our last and final feature that wraps up the 13 stories is “Fair Play” takes us inside the home of a young couple in their mid-20s as they argue about selfishness in the bedroom. . . Written by Shaquille Edwards Directed by Juan Ramirez Jr. @ajuanmanshow Featuring Treya Dionne Brown @treyadionne Malik Reed . #theater #festival
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021OnlineTheaterFestival . . Our next feature is Nosotras, depicts the struggle of a Latinx transwoman, early in her transition, processing her life, her traumas, her cultura, y her changing body. . Written by Isa Guzman @isa_writes Directed by DeVante Lewis @_lewisdevante Featuring Showdolliana @showdolliana . . #theater #festival
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021
Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021OnlineTheaterFestival . Our next feature is By Chance: Secret lovers reconnect at the twilight of their lives. What was once forbidden is now commonplace, but does time truly heal wounds of the heart? . Written and Directed by Vincent Marano Featuring : Michael Armstrong & Tod Engle . #theater #festival
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . Help kick off our third and final weekend of performances, Friday, May 14th & Saturday, May 15th at 7pm EST. . With our next feature... Adulting: Miriam is a 30- something "muslim" woman who recently experienced a loss. While she is waiting for her mother to arrive her friend Liz uses every arsenal in her bag to help her cope. How will she navigate this loss? Will her mother ever arrive? and most importantly, how the hell do you put on a hijab?! . Written by Amira Mustapha @aquarianmuse19 Directed by Stephanie Stowe Featuring : Amira Mustapha Cristy Reynoso @emeraldream00 Fatemata Krubally . #theater #festival
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . Our 3rd and 4th performances this past weekend were amazing! Help kick off our third and final weekend of performances, Friday, May 14th & Saturday, May 15th at 7pm EST. . With our next feature... Spell It! Taking your frustrations out on a customer service call that leads to defending who you are and what matters most. Written and Directed by Michelle de la Rosa @mdelarosa_director Featuring Irma Cádiz @irmacadiz . . #theater #festival
Check out our upcoming online events including Word Love: The Art & Craft of Comedy Writing, @bodyofarts: The Art Hour Mother’s Day Special, @aslslam, DREAMing Out Loud (as part of the @penworldvoices), and the Monday and Thursday Night Onl
Check out our upcoming online events including Word Love: The Art & Craft of Comedy Writing, @bodyofarts: The Art Hour Mother’s Day Special, @aslslam, DREAMing Out Loud (as part of the @penworldvoices), and the Monday and Thursday Night Online Open Mics. Also join us for the second weekend of the 2021 Online Theater Festival. Learn more at bit.ly/MayEventsNPC
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . Tonight kicks off our second weekend of performances, Friday, May 7th & Saturday, May 8th at 7pm EST. . Next feature is... Protips A teenage boy on an errand for his mother visits his uncle and a friend. Through the course of the visit, he gets an unexpected lesson on confidence and what happens when one dares to be themselves. . Written by Eunice Hudak @eunicealicea9 Directed by DeVante Lewis Featuring: Imani Miguel Vega Jadan Small . #theater #festival
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . This weekend is our second weekend of performances, Friday, May 7th & Saturday, May 8th at 7pm EST. . Next feature is... Pronounced is a satirical spoken word response to police brutality and the profiling of Black and Brown bodies--specifically following the Jacob Blake shooting. The concept came from a thought I had one day that if something like this were to happen to me and I was pronounced dead on the news, would they even pronounce my name right, which is a lifelong burden for me anyway. . Written, Directed and Performed by Khalif J. Gillett @khvlif . #theater #festival
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . This weekend is our second weekend of performances, Friday, May 7th & Saturday, May 8th at 7pm EST. . Next feature is...American Slavery 101; Harlem is considered one of the "blackety-blackest" places in the world. One of the blackety-blackest places to hang out as a young person in upper Manhattan is the Jackie Robinson Recreation Center. Three teenage Harlemite's are forced to attend a Slavery 101 class, taught by two college-aged students. Ashley, Star, and Justin soon realize that this is the most important course they have ever taken. . Written by Nia Akilah Robinson @niaakilah__ Directed by KM Jones @km.jones.52493 Featuring : Vivienne James @velvetwaves Anthony Goss @antgoss Zhanah Wyche @zhanahwyche Andrea Bellamore @andreabellamore Javana Mundy @javanamundy Daniella Ruby Wilson . #theater #festival #nyc
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on
Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Zoom! Performances run Fri- Sat from 4/30-5/15; link in bio for tickets. . Tonight is show number 2, Saturday, May 1st at 7pm EST. . Next feature is... Dinner Date 2020; illustrates how two 50 something people are dating in the new normal. It was written for open ethnicity, physical appearance and gender. The only stipulation is that the actors be over 50! (This is important to me as well as to artists and audiences who believe in diversity and inclusion.) . Written by Helene Galek @hsgalek Directed by Kathleen O’Neil Featuring: Kay-Megan Washington & Gus Ferrari . #theater #festival #2021
Join us online for Stimulive with @jivepoetic and @elisabetvelasquezpoetry , Make it Make Sense poetry workshop with @paulconqueso, the Monday Night Online Open Mic, the Thursday Night Open Mic, I'm Funnier Than You, Worldwide Music Showcase, the Enc Tonight! Tune in for @stories_nyc Voices of Pride, a variety show in honor of Pride hosted by @chuliboo. Poets, actors, and musicians will share performances inspired by their lives in the NYC LGTBQ community! Zoom ID 862 5280 9288 #pride #pridemon Tonight! A showcase of acclaimed indigenous artists, co-presented with AMERINDA. David Martine will speak about the Native American contemporary art movement plus a dramatic reading of the play United Nations. Hosted by John Scott Richardson. Zoom I This weekend, join us online for the @aslslam, hosted by Jerald Creer; the Art Slam (in which painters Shayla Mona'e and Dylan Aiello create new work inspired by @hdlewispoet's Juneteenth poetic prompt); an encore Father's Day screening of Kraal Kayo Join us for two outdoor events (a celebration with @wildprojectnyc and @pipelinetheatre; and @thetenementmuseum Grand Reopening Block Party); and lots of online events: the @aslslam, Indigenous Voices Showcase with Amerinda, the Art Slam, Neighborho We are thrilled to present a new online event series: Music and Monologues! On 6/1, @kimberlychatter and @afrantasticgoaldigger will each perform a monologue, and musicians @cheeyangmusic and @juanalunamusiq will perform their musical responses. Hos This year's short play and monologue festival was a huge success! There were so many talented performances, and such powerful messages and amazing direction, that we're celebrating the TOP SIX productions, ranked by audience vote. The winners and hon Join us online for the ASL SLAM, DREAMing Out Loud with @penamerica, Nuyorican Worldwide Showcase on IG Live, Monday Night Online Open Mic, Thursday Night Open Mic, Music and Monologues, A Father's Worth in Words: A Trib Slots still available for tonight's online open mic! Sign up at bit.ly/NPCThursOpenMic Three comic legends in the making - @ejthecomic, @ginayashere, and @roywoodjr, join us live and online as they converse about the art and craft of comedy writing! Don't miss Word Love: The Art and Craft of Comedy Writing this Sunday! . #nuyorican #f Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen TONIGHT and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021Onli Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021 Don't miss the final weekend of our Online Theater Festival, which features world premieres of 13 short plays and monologues. The last performances happen this Friday and Saturday night, only on Zoom! To learn more and buy tickets, visit bit.ly/2021 Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Check out our upcoming online events including Word Love: The Art & Craft of Comedy Writing, @bodyofarts: The Art Hour Mother’s Day Special, @aslslam, DREAMing Out Loud (as part of the @penworldvoices), and the Monday and Thursday Night Onl Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on Our 2021 Online Theater Festival features 13 short plays and monologues, written and performed by a talented lineup of artists including Caridad Svich, reg e gaines, Ashley L. Calderón, Jossie Ortiz, Nia Akilah Robinson and many more. Only on

Special Thanks

We'd like to thank the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the Amazon Literary Partnership, the Academy of American Poets, The Tonight Show, Lift Every Vote, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, the Hispanic Federation, the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, The Literary Arts Emergency Fund, the Radio Drama Network and the New York Community Trust’s COVID-19 Response Fund for helping us to provide free online programming.

Please help support our efforts with a tax-deductible donation, by visiting www.nuyorican.org/contribute