Ally McHugh, host of QED’s “The Queens Poet” open mic series. Photo by Maryam Rahaman.
BY MARYAM RAHAMAN
As performers got ready to perform Frank Ocean’s “White” at the Queens Poet open mic on Saturday, the piano stool collapsed. Hannah Lieberman, who owns the host venue QED Astoria, asked if anyone had adjusted it. Regular Danny Fowler replied, “I took the screws out,” propelling the room into laughter.
That kind of communal banter, along with support, characterizes the monthly event at QED, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month. Hosted by Ally McHugh, the open mic features works from poets, spoken word artists, musicians, and more. This month’s show was home to a variety of poems, as well as two musical performances. The show is free with a $5 minimum purchase to QED.
A few years ago, McHugh found a longing for a sense of community and socialization beyond going to restaurants or bars. “I was thinking ‘What do I want in life?’” McHugh said. The first time she went to the Queens Poet, she just observed. The openness and support of the space encouraged her to share for the first time.
“I never really imagined that I would be able to get over that hump of being able to stand in front of a crowd,” McHugh said. “I loved the vibration that this venue had. Everybody felt open and supportive.”
Within a year, McHugh became friendly with the previous host. When she had to move away, McHugh took over. She says that at almost every show, she’s had a first-timer join—just as she did.
One such first-timer was one of Fowler’s friends. He was inspired to do so after a previous show where he had seen Fowler read.
“I guess he was my first protege,” Fowler joked. For a long time, Fowler would write but didn’t call it poetry. That is, until about a month ago, where he sat down with the intent to write a poem. The algorithm led him to the open mic.
“I wasn’t really nervous going in,” Fowler said. “But if I was, it wouldn’t have mattered. Everybody’s so welcoming.” Before, he says, he never would have imagined being at a poetry open mic. Now, he looks forward to it every month, performing two original poems on Saturday.
Host Ally McHugh with Danny Fowler (left) and his friend, Zachary Jones.
While the themes of the poems and performances shifted from person to person, many performances were witty in nature. A few also touched on the changing seasons. One poet read a few more solemn poems to balance it out. Kamau Jones closed the show with a performance of his original single called “I’m so Ugly,” a comedic tune about a man who’s so ugly that he makes “babies cry” and “neighborhoods hide” —one he assured he didn’t actually relate to.
No matter the thematic content, an audience of about three dozen people responded with ample applause.
Regular Matt Leazer, who often blends poetry and comedy in his work, performed a piece that intertwined ants, the possibility of being a flight attendant, and Lent. He ended by asking the audience to applaud for themselves “for creating and making the world better.”
The community aspect has continued even when Leazer’s missed a few shows.
“Everyone’s like ‘Oh my gosh, tell us everything,’” Leazer said. “It’s a real special place to go home to.”
“I’ve seen people fall in love at the mic,” Leazer said. “I’ve seen people get up and sing with their guitar and this is the only place I feel comfortable enough to do that.”
“There’s strange things all the time,” he added. “But I think we’re all so strange that it feels normal.”
The next open mic will take place on May 2nd. More about the Queens Poet, or find times for future open mics, can be found on Instagram @thequeenspoet.
