Celebrating Connection at the Open Mic Night

Last month, towards the end of an autumn day, some of the artistic community in the Eastern Algarve, came together to transcend borders, languages, and backgrounds. The Open Mic Night, held on November 20th, was a celebration of neighbours and an opportunity for us to weave our individual stories. We paid homage to Tela Leão who brought us together under the umbrella of the Álvaro de Campos birthday party celebration. (FAAC)

Jay Artale a local artist and I created a running order for the participants who had let us know they wanted to perform. We tried to accommodate everyone who arrived with songs and poetry on the night. This meant artists shared their voices in rapid succession which was not ideal.

Nevertheless Tela Leão, whose spirit and passion for cultural exchange was felt in the room. Her nurturing and kind presence was missed, as we honoured her legacy through song, poetry, and words.

Poets, singers and writers performed in both English and Portuguese. Some artists had prepared in both languages and it was important on this night of connecting with neighbours that the extra effort is acknowledged. Thank you! As far as possible we translated the offerings so everyone could follow along.

André Conde, played piano to begin the event and then later he played with the Fado Tropical Band, which reminded me of the rhythms of our shared creativity.
Yuko performed a powerful Japanese dance to complete the evening.

Here is the full line up of people who registered and were therefore included in the printed programme.
I have linked Youtube video recordings from the night.

FAAC Open Mic Night 20 November 2025 Casa Álvaro de Campos , Tavira
Título	Title	Poeta/ PoetAutor/Author	Leitor/Performer	PT/EN
			André Conde		Piano
O Conserto do Muro	Mending Wall	Robert Frost	Sue Hall	EN	Poem
O Café Português é Minha Chávena de chá	Portuguese Coffee is My Cup of Tea	Jay Artale	Jay Artale	EN & PT	Poem
Se Depois de Eu Morrer, Quiserem Escrever a Minha Biografia	If, after I die they want to write my biography	Fernando Pessoa	Ana Cristina Matias	PT	Poem
Tenho em mim como uma bruma	Like A Mist	Fernando Pessoa	Marjorie Mallon	EN	Poem
Como uma lágrima	Like A Tear Drop	Marjorie Mallon	Marjorie Mallon	EN	Poem
Tabacaria	Tobacco Shop	Álvaro de Campos	Marjorie Mallon	EN	Poem
Libélula	Dragonfly	Marjorie Mallon	Marjorie Mallon	EN	Poem
Todas as Cartas de Amor são Ridículas	All love letters are ridiculous	Álvaro de Campos	Isabel Pereira	PT	Poem
Caminando por los confines de Europa	Walking Europe’s Edge	Stephen Powell	Stephen Powell	EN	Reading
			Jack Williams + Jim Hall		Music
Malabarismo	Spinning Plates	Mark T. Evans	Mark T. Evans	EN	Poem
Credo Para el Corazón	Untitled	Mark T. Evans	Mark T. Evans	EN	Poem
Se Eu Voltasse a Nascer	If I Were Born Again	Isabel Pereira	Isabel Pereira	PT	Poem
Tavira através dos meus olhos	Tavira through my eyes	Peter Bellchambers	Peter Bellchambers/Yvonne van Roekel	EN & PT	Text
Excerto do Livro: MAC (Acton 1962)	Book Excerpt: MAC (Acton 1962)	Sandra Slight	Sandra Slight	EN	Reading
Brilho do Sol	Sun Glitter	Shawna Peters	Shawna Peters	EN	Poem
Mães	Mothers	Shawna Peters	Shawna Peters	EN	Poem
El Camino sin Comino	Path of the Pathless	Timothy Halford	Timothy Halford	EN	Poem
Vespa Rainha	Queen Wasp	Marjorie Mallon	Marjorie Mallon	EN	Poem
Reescrita	Rewritten	Elaine Martini	Elaine Martini	EN	Reading
		MUSIC	André Conde and Fado Tropical		Music
			Yuko		Dance

Apologies to those we could not perform or speak but came on the evening. Gratitude to those who listened attentively and honoured the artists performances.
Tela’s daughter Ana Leão read a poem by Fernando Pessoa in tribute to her mother.
Reinaldo Barros spoke and read a poem and paid tribute.
A local choir performed two songs.
Thank you to Fernanda Guerra for allowing us to use Casa Álvaro de Campos in Tavira and for spreading the word within her networks. Thanks also to Ana Cristina Matias for her help in including more voices in the programme.
Huge thanks to Jay Artale for her support in putting the print programme together.
Photos from the Open Mic Night 2025.

Here’s to many more nights of poetry, song, and connection. Reflecting on next year, (if we do it again) perhaps we need a larger venue where we can spread out, offer space for book signings and deeper conversations. Who would like to help? Contact Me

Photos: Copyright Sue Hall 2025