TO REGISTER, scroll down the page and click “BEGIN REGISTRATION”

April Theme: TBA
Featured: Poetry by John Jakob (in memoriam)
Open Mic Signup begins at 5:30pm. Feature act begins at 6:00pm

This popular monthly event, co-hosted by Tamell “Big” Bailey and CathyB, is a great opportunity for adults and young adults to practice performance skills in front of a small audience, receive feedback, and get inspiration for creating new works. Except for the featured artist, individual performances are limited to 3 minutes and may be on any “radio friendly” topic. If time allows, additional performances may be invited.

For Dates of Upcoming AOW Open Mics:
Scroll below the photo of this month’s Featured Performer
For an AOW Poster to Share:
Download the FILE ATTACHMENT

FEATURED PERFORMER
John Jakob, a resident of Aiken, South Carolina for the last three years of his life, was co-leader (with Grace Przywara) of the Aiken Poets (which currently meets once a month on Saturday morning at the Aiken County Public Library). John was a successful businessman in the entertainment industry for many years. He “closed shop,” retired, and moved to Aiken when his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Though himself wheelchair-bound, John cared for his wife with the help of his son James.

John was a prolific writer in his final years. Sadly, on the morning of February 28, 2026, shortly before he was scheduled for a visit with other poets at his Agape Hospice bedside, John Jakob succumbed to esophageal cancer. During visits with CathyB the previous week, the poet said he “would LOVE it” if he could be featured at ART OF WORDS — even if it meant other poets would be the ones to read his poems. He expressed love for his wife (now in a memory care center in Atlanta), his daughters, grandchildren, and concerns for his son (who suddenly lives alone). While exchanging his original poems with Cathy’s original songs, John expressed a desire to find a professional editor to publish his poetry. Cathy promised to make sure that will happen — so, published poets, please send her any recommendations you have!

TO REGISTER, scroll down the page and click “BEGIN REGISTRATION”

April Theme: TBA
Featured: Poetry by John Jakob (in memoriam)
Open Mic Signup begins at 5:30pm. Feature act begins at 6:00pm

This popular monthly event, co-hosted by Tamell “Big” Bailey and CathyB, is a great opportunity for adults and young adults to practice performance skills in front of a small audience, receive feedback, and get inspiration for creating new works. Except for the featured artist, individual performances are limited to 3 minutes and may be on any “radio friendly” topic. If time allows, additional performances may be invited.

For Dates of Upcoming AOW Open Mics:
Scroll below the photo of this month’s Featured Performer
For an AOW Poster to Share:
Download the FILE ATTACHMENT

FEATURED PERFORMER
John Jakob, a resident of Aiken, South Carolina for the last three years of his life, was co-leader (with Grace Przywara) of the Aiken Poets (which currently meets once a month on Saturday morning at the Aiken County Public Library). John was a successful businessman in the entertainment industry for many years. He “closed shop,” retired, and moved to Aiken when his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Though himself wheelchair-bound, John cared for his wife with the help of his son James.

John was a prolific writer in his final years. Sadly, on the morning of February 28, 2026, shortly before he was scheduled for a visit with other poets at his Agape Hospice bedside, John Jakob succumbed to esophageal cancer. During visits with CathyB the previous week, the poet said he “would LOVE it” if he could be featured at ART OF WORDS — even if it meant other poets would be the ones to read his poems. He expressed love for his wife (now in a memory care center in Atlanta), his daughters, grandchildren, and concerns for his son (who suddenly lives alone). While exchanging his original poems with Cathy’s original songs, John expressed a desire to find a professional editor to publish his poetry. Cathy promised to make sure that will happen — so, published poets, please send her any recommendations you have!