Whether you’re planning to be the next Robert Frost or the next 50 Cent, the Wildcat knows the best spots for you to grab a microphone and share your genius with the rest of the world.

Coming to the university should not stifle your artistic growth. You have graduated from high school and you are moving on to bigger and better things, and one of those is changing the atmosphere in which you perform.

Instead of performing your lonely acoustic ballads for your parents, try to hit up one of these free open mic nights – a night where you can get up and perform poetry, read stories or sing, depending on the venue. Pretty soon you’ll probably get a cult following.

Vila Thai Cuisine
972 E. University Blvd.

Poetry open mic nights every Monday and Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Whether you’re taking Introduction to Poetry or not, this poetry recital is for you. Tear out old diary pages or write some new haikus about dorm life and practice your public speaking. This informal reading takes place on the patio and you can get fantastic Thai food while you are enjoying the poetry.

Bentley’s House of Coffee and Tea
1730 E. Speedway Blvd.

Fridays at 8 p.m. Sign-up at 7:30 p.m.

This cool coffeehouse atmosphere fosters many artists who wish to share their work. From poetry to short stories, performers can read whatever they want and get great coffee or snacks while they enjoy the performance.

Antigone Books
411 N. Fourth Ave.

Other Voices Women’s Reading Series.

This open mic is open to anyone and everyone. They are usually held at 7 p.m. and dates are TBA, so go to antigonebooks.com or call (520) 792-3715 for information on upcoming events. Participants can read their own work or favorite works written by someone else.

Bookman’s
1930 E. Grant Road

Wednesdays. 7 p.m. Sign up begins at 6:30 p.m.

This long-standing open-mic night is of the tradition sort, meaning that anything goes. Local celebrity musicians have been known to show up at this renowned local used bookstore – a Tucson institution for 30 years – so if you want a show minus the cover charge, check it out.

Dinnerware Artspace
264 E. Congress St.

7 Up Performance Art night, the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m.

The line-up is for seven performers to perform in any medium they choose. Performers have a 10-minute limit and after 10 minutes a gong will go off and you will be dragged off the stage. Performances have been known to get very emotional, with revealing monologues about gender transformations, sexuality and childhood abuse. This is a serious and art-centered event. E-mail dinnerwarearts@yahoo.com to sign up.

Epic Café
745 N. Fourth Ave

Thursdays. Sign-ups are at 7:30 p.m. Starts at 8 p.m.

This is where the hipster beat poets and musicians will be at. If that sort of thing turns you on, or if you’re exploring that side of your sensitive soul, Epic Café’s open-mic night just might be for you. Don’t be shy, a lot of the people will dress better than you but it’s just a manifestation of their insecurities. Find out why Epic is so famous for its vegan food and settle in for a cozy open-mic experience.