Ongoing: 3rd Wednesday of every month, 7:30pm

Cotuit Center for the Arts offers an open mic series called Salon of Shorts on the third Wednesday of each month in the Art Studio. Award-winning poets, playwrights, and spoken word performers Christine Rathbun Ernst and Gregory Hischak host the series, which encompasses all types of performances: poetry, storytelling, essay reading, music, performance art, improv, and stand-up.

“Everyone has in them five minutes of good storytelling, song, stand-up—even genius,” said Ernst.

“This is the perfect venue to try something new,” said Ernst, “to try out new material, and to find a new audience.”

Teaming with Ernst is Gregory Hischak, who has been hosting an open mic at O’Shea’s in West Yarmouth until recently.

“I have wanted to do an open mic on the mid-Cape for a long time,” said Ernst, “and, when Greg became available after the O’Shea’s open mic ended, I was eager to involve him in this new project. I am a big fan of his work and we have a complimentary performance style.”

Both Ernst and Hischak will perform at Salon of Shorts, which has already attracted considerable interest from local poets and musicians.

Gregory Hischak’s book, “Parts & Labour,” was published in 2012. It contains poetry, a play, and an interview the author. His poetry has been published in “Bellingham Revue,” “Green Mountain Review,” “Mid-America Poetry Review,” “Third Coast,” and other journals. He has toured and performed with spoken word troupes and has written several plays which had been performed by regional theaters across the country. His play, “Center of Gravity” was the 2010 winner of the Clauder Prize for New England Playwrights and was a 2011 finalist with the Massachusetts Cultural Council for playwriting, in addition to other awards.

Christine Rathbun Ernst’s recent shows include “The Fat Ass Cancer Bitch” and “The Fat Ass Cancer Bitch Goes Shopping,” which she has performed to sold-out audiences across the Cape.  She will present her third show in the series at CCftA this summer.  She describes her work as “the funny unapologetic, wickedly honest, poignant, hell-bent, pissed-off one breasted, loudmouth story of one woman’s examined life witty quirky unforgettable theatre of self-discovery, good story-telling, and pointed social commentary.” She has performed one-woman shows and at open mics throughout New England and is a two-time Mass Cultural Council Artist Grant finalist.

Each performer is limited to five minutes, including set-up.

Admission to Salon of Shorts is free.