The 12th Poetry and Pizza Open Mic will be held in Dublin this week, including recitations by established poets and a one-hour open mic hosted by Dublin poet laureate James Morehead.

In addition to readings by Morehead, the event includes performances from three other current or former poets laureate: Kathleen Moore, Jenyth Jo and Sarah Kobrinsky.

"The Poetry & Pizza Open Mic, in collaboration with Patxi's Pizza, has succeeded beyond my expectations. From humble beginnings two years ago, the event now attracts emerging and established poets from around the East Bay," Morehead said.

Morehead has been Dublin's poet laureate since June 2021 and is currently serving his second term. He brings literary arts to community events and volunteering in Dublin schools. His poems have appeared in NPR, San Francisco Chronicle's Total SF, Citron Review and other publications.

"Having a supportive safe space for poets in the community, young and old, to share their poetry is so important to building a community of writers. As Dublin's poet laureate, one of my key goals is bringing the literary arts alive in public spaces," Morehead said.

Moore is a former poet laureate of San Ramon having served for three terms, sharing poetry throughout the community and Bay Area. She is the author of poetry collections "Avians of Mourning" and "Alphapoetica: A Poetry Primer for the Everyday Poet".

"These events are an opportunity for people to gather in a casual atmosphere and be inspired," Moore said. "There is such variety in the poems recited, and it's beautiful to see people sharing and appreciating the perspectives expressed by seasoned and new poets. Poetry and pizza bring the community together."

Jo is the current poet laureate of San Ramon. She has earned her bachelor's degree in English and creative writing/fiction from Stanford University, an M.A. in creative writing/fiction from University of California, Davis and an M.F.A. in poetry at St. Mary's College. She has served as the co-director Poetry Out Loud program at Monte Vista High School since 2008.

Kobrinsky is the former poet laureate of Emeryville and is the author of "Nighttime on the Other Side of Everything". Her work has appeared in Magma Poetry, Red Light Lit and Monkeybicycle, among other publications.

The event takes place on Wednesday (July 26) from 6-8 p.m. at Patxi's Pizza & Bar in Dublin and is free to the public. People of all ages are welcome. For more information, contact dublinpoetlaureate@gmail.com.