Our regular twice-a-month open mic series where the Lowell Poetry community comes together. Held on the first and third Wednesday of every month.
/// About our EVENT ///
Join us for a feature and showcase by artists and writers from the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association
Sanary Phen
Poet, writer, and storyteller Sanary Phen was born in a refugee camp in Thailand during the Khmer Rouge era in Cambodia. In 1981, she and her family emigrated to the United States and resettled in Lowell, which has been her home for over 40 years. She has been a dedicated volunteer with the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association since 2018 and currently serves as CALAA’s Executive Director. She also serves on the Executive Committee for the Mosaic Lowell, an initiative advancing an arts economy plan for the City of Lowell through advocacy and resource development for local artists.
Sanary has more than 20 years of experience in the social work and nonprofit sectors, serving in both direct service and administrative roles at organizations including the Justice Resource Institute, AgeSpan, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, and the Coalition for a Better Acre. Sanary is currently employed with Merrimack Repertory Theatre as their Development Manager. Passionate about the arts and deeply committed to community, Sanary takes pride in giving back to the city she calls home and to the people who have shaped her journey.
Chath pierSath
Chat pierSath is a writer and visual artist based in Central Massachusetts, in Bolton. He lives and works on a small family farm. He came to the United States from Cambodia as a child refugee in 1981. His first three published books of Poems are After, This Body Mystery (Abingdon Square, based in New York), On Earth Beneath Sky (Loom Press, 2020, Lowell, MA). He is also the author of a children's book, SInat and the Instrument of the Heart (Soundprints, 2010). He exhibited his visual art in Phnom Penh, Bangkok, Kunming, Paris, New York, Rhode Island, and Lowell, MA.
Sovann-Thida Loeung
Sovan-Thida Loeung is a retired elementary school teacher from Lowell Public Schools. She taught Khmer students in bilingual education in the 1980's and later taught in mainstream classrooms for more than 30 years. She is a senior dance teacher and a longtime member of the Angkor Dance Troupe in Lowell. Her life in dance reflects both personal resilience and a deep devotion to preserving Khmer heritage for future generations.
Chormrern Chan
Rooted in culture, healing, and creativity, Chromern Chan or Chom, is a Khmer American artist born and raised in Lowell, MA. She is currently a Psychology major at Middlesex Community College where she thrives as a student leader. As an aspiring art therapist, she is guided by the belief that creativity is a powerful tool for healing. Her work centers on storytelling, identity, and community. She doesn't just tell her story - she reclaims, honors, and shares it to inspire others to recognize that their story matters too.
//// About the Venue ///
Dragonfly Cafe is a gluten-free cafe located in a renovated mill building in Lowell, Massachusetts serving grain bowls, salads, toasts, smoothies, smoothie bowls, coffee, and specialty cocktails.
Located near the Bus and Commuter Rail Station
165 Thorndike Street Lowell, MA
Parking available in main parking lot and free street parking on Highland Street or paid parking in the Gallagher Garage next to the train station with a sky bridge to the Thorndike Exchange building.
Outside food notice: Dragonfly Cafe is a completely Gluten-Free facility. Everything on the menu from their kitchen to bar Is gluten-free. For the safety of those who rely on that, Dragonfly Cafe does not allow any outside food or drink in our cafe. Thank you for understanding!
/// Format ///
Sign-Ups Open @ 6pm
Open Mic Starts @ 6:30 pm
[Main event'] begins after the open reading.
All Done @ 9:00pm
/// Details ///
Free Admission
Food, Drink, and Merch for Sale
(In Person)
Dragonfly Cafe
AND Online! -
/// Safer Space & Community Guidelines ///
Check out our community guidelines here
We strive to foster a space of inclusivity and respect. We ask everyone to not bring (in no particular order) ableist, ageist, body shaming, classist, homophobic, misogynist, misandrist, racist, transphobic, oppressive language, attitudes, and actions at the space. We look to hold ourselves and one another accountable to creating a culture in which we treat each other with consent and respect. This includes but is not limited to respecting people's physical and emotional boundaries and receiving explicit verbal consent before touching someone or crossing other personal boundaries. If you are disrupting our safer space we will ask you to leave.
This program is supported through donations from contributors like you.