For years Tryon, North Carolina’s Upstairs Artspace was a premier venue for writers to share their work through Literary Open Stage, and now, post-pandemic—Literary Open Stage is back! The first of monthly readings happens Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m., when writers sign up for 5-minute slots to read original poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction.

The contemporary art gallery is located in downtown Tryon at 49 S. Trade St., next door to the Tryon (movie) Theatre.

Darlene Cah, award-winning writer, and former Literary Open Stage host, says, “It’s exciting to see our literary community in Tryon thriving like never before. I’m thrilled that the Literary Open Stage is back and will offer us an additional opportunity to share our work.” 

Providing historical context, poet and longtime gallery supporter Nancy Holmes said, “Upstairs Artspace originated a writers’ group in the ’80s, then formed the wonderful Literary Coffeehouse in the ’90s, which was reconstituted as Literary Open Stage later. I'm delighted Lee is reviving the Literary Open Stage at Upstairs Artspace in the historically literary village of Tryon!”

Greg Lobas, whose book Left of Center won the 2022 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize, said, “I'm so excited that the Literary Open Stage at Upstairs Artspace is making a comeback. It was always so much fun, and a great way for writers to share their work and develop as stage presenters.”

“Upstairs Artspace,” says host Lee Stockdale, “is a fabulous space, and the art it presents is consistently mind-blowing, beautiful, thought-provoking, and intimately engaging. The challenge is to present art through the written word as creative as the work on the walls. It’s going to happen and it’s going to be fun. I’m really jazzed.”

Literary Open Stage, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m. at Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon, NC.