Not a Safe Space But a Brave Space: Greenhouse Effect Open Mic

In South Salt Lake City lies a coffee shop that serves as more than just a place for a caffeine fix and a delicious crepe. The eclectic art, free book collection, donated house guitar and the diversity of artists who frequent this late-night stop make the space feel more akin to a Sugarhouse townhome split six ways among your friend group. Every Sunday night, Greenhouse Effect Coffee & Crepes holds an open mic that has been a beacon for artists, poets, musicians and creatives of all kinds since its inception by Sean Armstrong in 2007. 

Armstrong, a well-known poet in the Salt Lake Valley, founded the event out of a desire to create a free, inclusive space for local artists to share their talents and connect with one another. Over the years, the open mic has evolved under the leadership of key figures like Cody Winger, See Emmett and Karo, each contributing to its growth as a hub for artistic expression in SLC.

“The goal is simply to connect people to each other and recognize that our stories matter, regardless of whatever stupid fucking metric people put on art.”

One of the most notable additions to the Greenhouse Effect’s open mic scene was RJ Walker, a local slam poet who joined in 2010 and eventually took over as one of the event’s hosts. Walker has worked extensively with Greenhouse Effect’s owner, Jimmy Kosmas, to create a “Code of Conduct” that bans any kind of hate speech and targeted harassment. Under Walker’s leadership, the open mic has maintained a welcoming environment for all artists. 

Explaining his objectives for the mic, Walker says, “The goal is simply to connect people to each other and recognize that our stories matter, regardless of whatever stupid fucking metric people put on art—whether it’s poetry slam scores, ticket sales or publication. What matters is that we are human beings. We have to exist together … That’s the space I’ve always tried to hold at Greenhouse Effect.” 

Fellow open mic host Sean Baker of folk-punk act Sean Baker’s Recycled Stardust echoes this sentiment. He believes in the transformative power of creativity to cultivate community and celebrate diversity. He, like Walker, finds purpose in providing a platform for artists to be seen, heard and understood. It was here at the coffee house that the pair met and became friends, finding solace in the found family the open mics provide.

“We start by going to express ourselves, and we begin to accidentally know each other, understand each other, and love each other,” Baker explains. “Through the open mics, I’ve found how I want to utilize creativity. It’s not just about the music; it’s about building connections and fostering a sense of belonging.”

Despite facing challenges, such as dealing with toxic behavior and legal threats, the Greenhouse Effect open mic has remains as a vibrant and vital space for artistic expression and community building in Salt Lake City. Artists such as Melanie Lewis and Laura Ruiz have found a home at Greenhouse Effect, where they can freely express themselves and connect with others who share their passion for creativity.

Ruiz, a Mexican poet, finds empowerment in expressing herself through poetry in her native languages of Spanish, Nahuatl and Tzotzil. She highlights the importance of these spaces for emerging artists, especially those from marginalized communities. 

“We start by going to express ourselves, and we begin to accidentally know each other, understand each other, and love each other.”

“I write as I am. I shed any boxes I am being put into,” she says. “I don’t care for what others have to say about my art—it is who I am and I want to keep showing the world who I am and also show that brown, immigrant women like myself are creatives too. [It’s] not just white communities that rule this scene,” Ruiz remarks.

She continues, saying Greenhouse Effect “isn’t as conservative as other venues I have seen. The fact that they don’t mind us reading in a language other than English brings me hope for more POCs to show up. These spaces need to be safe for emerging artists—a lot of us started from a place of vulnerability and we turn[ed] to poetry for healing.”

For Lewis, a folk musician known by their stage name Mel Sol, Greenhouse Effect provided a supportive environment to grow as an artist and make valuable connections in the music scene. She finds the open mics to be inspiring and feels that they have created a sense of camaraderie among local musicians due to their diversity of talent.

“It’s different every time,” Lewis says. “The environment has a different energy than most open mics … If you want people to witness your art without judgment, go to Greenhouse Effect. It’s literally an open door for all eclectics to gather.” 

The open mic at Greenhouse Effect is more than just a platform for artistic expression; it is a space for healing, growth and connection. It is a place where artists can come together to share their stories, support one another and build a community that celebrates diversity and creativity.

“If you want people to witness your art without judgment, go to Greenhouse Effect. It’s literally an open door for all eclectics to gather.”

No one puts it better than Walker when he says, “Greenhouse Effect is not necessarily a safe space. But it is a brave space. You have to choose to be brave to be there … It is the most radical form of activism that we have right now—simply going to a coffee shop, finding the people who are your people and connecting with them.”

Like these artists, I have had a profound experience and relationship with the open mic. I found the open mic sometime in 2022 after reconnecting with old friends, and it had a profound impact on helping me adjust to the constant “new normals” I was facing. 

Pick any Sunday night and it will be reminiscent of the many I’ve attended before: A room full of strangers you don’t feel scared to sit next to. Seasoned performers coaching and cheering loudly for emerging artists. Bad jokes, good jokes, always a guitar and sometimes just a venting session. I used to show up and read love letters that I had written to situationships, and while not profound it was deeply cathartic.

If you’re looking for a place where you can witness art without judgment, connect with like-minded individuals and be a part of a community that values your voice, look no further than the Greenhouse Effect open mic on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. It’s more than just an open mic; it’s a home for artists and creatives who are brave enough to create.  

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