Meet Da Poetry Lounge Co. | Spoken Word Venue and Creative House – 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

We had the good fortune of connecting with Da Poetry Lounge Co. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Da Poetry Lounge Co., is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Da Poetry Lounge stands as a testament to the power of words and the strength of community. Every Tuesday night, for the past 25 years, DPL’s doors open to over 200 people from all walks of life, creating a melting pot of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences. The stage becomes a sanctuary where poets pour their hearts out, sharing stories that evoke emotions, challenge conventions, and inspire change.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DPL is a poetry open mic venue and creative hub that happens weekly every Tuesday night at our home venue for the last 23 years, the Greenway Court Theatre. What initially started as a small weekly gathering in a living room amongst friends, has now led to 200 people gathering weekly for poetry. Our mission revolves around celebrating the art of poetry while utilizing it as a cornerstone for creative expression, innovation, and diverse forms of art. We have blossomed into a vibrant and inclusive community event, attracting a growing number of poets and enthusiasts. DPL’s enduring legacy lies not only in its remarkable longevity but also in its ability to foster connection and growth. It has nurtured countless aspiring poets, providing them with a platform to develop their skills. Da Lounge has become a sanctuary where individuals from around the globe converge, united by a shared love for poetry and the human experience.

We have 3 focus areas:

· Open Mic/Live Events
· Educational Workshops
· Productions

Open Mic- Tuesday nights 9-11pm. ALL AGES WELCOME. (Note: We do not censor artists language) Drop your name in the bucket and let fate do its thing. Stay ready. Be Ready. Tell your Story. Our writing and performance workshops led by award winning poets and slam coaches, are drop in sessions and are donation based.

We also partner with local businesses and corporations to bring our DPL Tuesday night open mic experience to their community. Curated shows produced by the DPL team have been used for entertainment, and as a wellness and training tool for employees

DPL productions is one of the 3 main pillars of the company. We specialize in developing and producing works created by poets, whether it’s a short film, feature, web series, pilot, theater performance, or simply a proof of concept. We integrate poets into the production process so that they can not only grow as creatives but also learn to produce if they’re interested. The project does not have to be centered on poetry or poetry based, just created by them. We’re a hub for poets who write more than poetry and wish to have their work produced in partnership with businesses and networks in our community.

Ways to support:

Da Poetry Lounge Co is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. As we celebrate our 25th year, we invite you to join us in our 25/25 Campaign, to help us continue the work of DPL throughout Los Angeles and beyond for the next 25 years. We are encouraging all those who are able to make a tax deductible gift in increments of “25”, that’s $25 to $25,000 to help us reach our goal of $25,000.

Here is the site: https://givebutter.com/DPL25

DPL remains committed to nurturing the next generation of poets, spoken word artists, creatives and innovators. We continue to be a refuge for those seeking solace, a megaphone for those silenced, and a mirror reflecting the diverse tapestry of human experiences. DPL continues to inspire and empower the world through the transformative power of poetry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is no other place you should be on a Tuesday night other than DPL!

7PM: Pull up on us at the Greenway to enjoy tea, coffee, & tacos by our partners @LosTacosMigrantes, while you wait and catch up with friends until doors open. This is the ultimate pre-game experience for ALL AGES. We are extremely thankful to our food partners who set up outside our doors to help cultivate community and can serve our community members at affordable prices.

8:30pm: Doors Open

9-11pm: THE DPL EXPERIENCE (come and find out)

Because we are an all ages event and our venue is on school property, after the show, for our 21+ homies who may not want the night to end, grab more tacos ( truck stays until about midnight), then walk a block over to the Dime Bar for beverages and dance!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The countless poets and audience members, who support us by showing up every Tuesday, with an excitement to listen, experience, develop their skills, express their truths, and find their artistic voice.

Website: dapoetrylounge.com

Instagram: dapoetrylounge_co

Twitter: dapoetrylounge

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaPoetryLounge/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaPoetryLounge

Other: DONATION SITE: https://givebutter.com/DPL25 TIK TOK: da.poetry.lounge

Image Credits
DPL/GREENWAY