An opportunity for songwriters and poets of all skill and experience levels from Prince Albert and the surrounding area to perform is coming to Rock Trout Cafe in downtown Prince Albert next Friday.
Prince Albert and Area Songwriters Community is hosting Songwriter and Poet Open Mic Night, sponsored by SaskMusic, and organized by Laura Marshall and Stephanie Wilkinson, also members of The Poplar Kids band.
“I think it’s really important to have a place where we can listen to each other’s stories,” said co-host Laura Marshall. “I think original music and poetry is such a vulnerable thing to share and such an important form of art, and it’s important that we can get together and really listen to each other’s stories through song and poetry, and that’s also important for our larger community and music community. Just really providing that space that is welcoming for people who don’t have experience or who have trouble getting on stage.”
The event also marks the three year anniversary since Marshall and Wilkinson began organizing open mic and original writing work events. Marshall said that the first event began with about a dozen coming out, made up of friends and performers, and has grown and maintained momentum since. She mentioned some people from the loyal community come out often, and barely miss any events.
Marshall said that she also wanted to celebrate that, and offer a prize package in a raffle for anyone who performed at or attended any of the events this year. Not only is the raffle an incentive for people who are still deciding to come, but also a way to celebrate the community throughout the last three years.
She said that she aims to offer four events per year, once per season, however the summer event this year was cancelled due to weather concerns. The venues range from small and intimate to large, accommodating to larger audiences, as well as some events open to all ages, and families with children, such as alcohol-free venues.
The raffle draw began accumulating entries at the winter event in early 2026, and the winners will be chosen at Friday’s event after collecting the final entries.
Marshall also mentioned that the idea had come up to host open mic events from her experience as an introvert, who experienced anxiety or stage fright surrounding performing, but still wanted to share her original music and perform for others.
“I was looking for a really supportive, low-key environment to do that and didn’t really find anything, so I just thought, let’s start something,” Marshall said. “Maybe there are others who want a really non-judgemental, quiet and community driven place to share their original work. So it started really out of wanting a place to share our own music and to meet other like-minded artists.”
The fall season and final open mic of the year, will be on Oct. 2 at the Rock Trout Cafe, with doors opening at 7p.m. and the show starting at 7:30p.m.
Performers will sign up upon arrival, and are encouraged to come before the show starts if they have a specific preference in when they want their set to be featured in the show. Original poems and songs are strongly encouraged, however cover songs may need to be discussed with organizers. The average limit for songs and poems is three per person, so every performer has a chance on stage, but if time allows, performers can share again afterwards.
“We really encourage original work, and we really welcome people who aren’t performing who want to come and hear some great local talent, hear these stories, connect with local artists and be inspired,” Marshall said.
Marshall said that updates and further details can be found on the private Facebook group titled ‘PA & Area Songwriters Community’
