Kokosing Valley Arts Alliance

06/04/2026

Running late? You’re good. Sign‑ups are staying open past 7pm! Come share your talents!

Tonight’s the night! Join us at 7pm at The Woodward Opera House for a special Woodward Opera House Open Mic Night sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap.

Bring your music, poetry, comedy, storytelling, magic tricks, juggling, or whatever creative spark you’ve got ready to share!

Sign ups start at 5:30!

06/04/2026

Tonight’s the night! Join us at 7pm at The Woodward Opera House for a special Woodward Opera House Open Mic Night sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap.

Bring your music, poetry, comedy, storytelling, magic tricks, juggling, or whatever creative spark you’ve got ready to share!

Sign ups start at 5:30!

06/02/2026

This night is for YOU!

The Woodward Opera House Open Mic Night is more than a performance — it’s a gathering place for creativity, encouragement, and community. Whether you sing, write poetry, tell jokes, play guitar, juggle, or simply love supporting local talent, we invite you to join us Thursday, June 4. 7pm.

No pressure. No expectations. Just a welcoming room full of people sharing art and cheering each other on. Bring a friend. Try something new. Discover your next favorite local artist.

Sign ups start at 5:30pm
Sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap
Hosted by Nellie Six and Side Effects
Bar service 6–9pm
Free event

05/30/2026

CALLING ALL PERFORMERS!

Musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers, magicians, spoken word artists, and creative souls of every kind — the Woodward stage is waiting for you!

Join us for Woodward Open Mic Night on Thursday, June 4, 7pm and share your talent in one of Ohio’s most beautiful historic venues. Sign ups start at 5:30

Hosted by Nellie Six and Side Effects, this special event blends the spirit of Mount Vernon’s open mic community into one incredible night of support.

You can chose go it solo, singer/songwriter style, small combo or have the open jam band back you up!

First timer? You are welcome here.
Seasoned performer? We want to hear you.
Just coming to listen? We’d love to have you.

Sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap
Hosted by Nellie Six and Side Effects
Bar service 6–9pm
Free event

05/29/2026

Tomorrow! Join KVAA for an inspiring afternoon of photography, storytelling, and conversation with internationally acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Louie Palu at The Woodward Opera House.

From documenting mining communities to covering conflict zones and the changing Arctic, Palu’s work explores how photography can deepen our understanding of people, place, science, journalism, and world affairs.

Whether you’re a photographer, student, filmmaker, artist, or simply curious about visual storytelling, this free public workshop offers a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from an artist whose work has appeared in museums and publications around the world.

Saturday, May 30, 1–3 PM
Free & open to the public
A live Q&A session will follow the presentation.

05/28/2026

What does it mean to tell stories through images?

Join award-winning photographer and filmmaker Louie Palu for KVAA’s Arts Alliance Workshop: Photography on Saturday, May 30. 1-3pm at The Woodward Opera House.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Palu has documented workers, communities, war, migration, and the Arctic through photography and film. During this workshop, he’ll share photographs, personal experiences, and practical insights into documentary storytelling and the role visual art plays in understanding the world around us.

Click here to see Palu's photo documentary: The Fighting Season:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uUioIZlya61LwWvz0fnsPccmW7ayTmDR/view?usp=sharing

photo @ louie palu

Audience Q&A included
Free Public Event

05/27/2026

There’s something special about live music echoing through the historic Woodward Opera House.

On Thursday, June 4, the stage comes alive with local voices, musicians, poets, comedians, and creatives for Woodward Open Mic Night — a celebration of community and artistic expression in one of Mount Vernon’s most treasured spaces.

Huge thanks to the Woodward Opera House for their partnership continuing to create opportunities for the arts to thrive in our community. From first-time performers to seasoned veterans, this stage welcomes everyone.

Come experience the energy, the stories, and the creative spirit that make nights like this unforgettable.

Sign ups start at 5:30pm
Sponsored by Bickerdyke Table & Tap
Hosted by Nellie Six and Side Effects
Bar service 6–9pm
Free event

05/26/2026

KVAA’s Arts Alliance Workshops are designed to spark conversation, creativity, and connection through the arts — and this month’s workshop promises to be an unforgettable experience.

On Saturday, May 30, internationally renowned photographer and filmmaker Louie Palu will share stories and images gathered across decades of documentary work throughout the U.S. and around the world.

From the human impact of labor and industry to the realities of conflict and climate change in the Arctic, Palu’s work reminds us of the power photography holds to inform, challenge, and connect us.

Join us for this free community event at the Woodward Opera House, in downtown Mount Vernon, OH and discover how visual storytelling can shape the way we understand our world.

Saturday, May 30
1–3 PM

Check out Louie Palu photography: https://www.louiepalu.com/index