Poetry & Open Mic Night at Nova Arts — Sponsored by Gathering Waters
Featuring: Mckendy Fils-Aimé, William James, Hannah Dutton, Christopher Clauss, Alex Aimee Kist, Billy Sheehan, and Matthew Richards.
Gathering Waters Charter School is proud to sponsor this evening of poetry as a community offering for Keene. As part of our Immersive Electives, we’re hosting visiting poets from across New England, and we’re opening the doors so our neighbors can gather, listen, and share in the experience together.
Doors open + sign-ups: 5:30 PM
Open mic begins: 6:00 PM
Featured reading follows the open mic.
Suggested donation: $5-$10 to support the artists
All ages welcome. Enjoy Nova’s beverages while you take in an evening of powerful words.
About the Featured Poets:
Christopher Clauss is an introvert, ocean explorer, father, poet, photographer, and middle school science teacher from Chesterfield. He organizes the weekly Slam Free or Die poetry reading in Manchester and has represented New Hampshire on eight poetry slam teams.
Mckendy Fils-Aime is a New England based Haitian American poet, organizer, and teaching artist. He has received fellowships from the Callaloo, Cave Canem, and The Watering Hole. His debut poetry collection, Sipèstisyon, is forthcoming on YesYes Books in 2026.
William James is a poet, community organizer, and workshop leader, and the author of rebel hearts & restless ghosts (2016) and If I Forget Thee Lowcountry (2021). Their poems have appeared or are forthcoming in South Carolina Review, North of Oxford, The Northeast Coast, Stirring, and Asterales.
Billy Sheehan is a poet, spiritual care and bereavement counselor, and healthcare worker based in Concord, NH. He holds a BA from Connecticut College in English and Philosophy, and his poems have been published most recently in The People’s Book, Touchstone, and Headstone.
Alex Aimee Kist is a poet and organizer, Development Director of the 2026 BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam, and Co-festival Director for the 2026 Mass Poetry Write Here | Write Now | Speak Loud! Teen Spoken Word Festival.
Hannah Dutton is a New Hampshire based poet and member of the Slam Free or Die 2026 Slam Team.
Matthew Richards is a poet and electrical engineer from Manchester, NH. He is a regular reader at the Slam Free Or Die open mic.