SEASON 38 | october 2025
The Blasphemy of a Good Bath
October 23–26, 2025
every.Word Poetry, the collective behind Austin’s most celebrated Monday night open mic, the home for spoken word poets that consistently packs The Butterfly Garden at The VORTEX, now steps into the Eloise Stage with its first fully staged choreopoem production. The Blasphemy of a Good Bath premieres as a fully staged work-in-progress choreopoem.
Written and performed by acclaimed poet Michael Hatcher, and directed by Jasmine Games and Dre’ Jackson, this evolving piece dives into themes of grief, legacy, family, memory, and transformation.
Blending poetry, theatre, and ritual performance, The Blasphemy of a Good Bath moves between childhood memory and present-day reflection, exploring how water, ancestry, and love shape survival. Through intimate storytelling, Hatcher asks what it means to let go, to carry memory, and to embrace transformation.
Each evening begins with a dynamic showcase hosted by Tender René, featuring Jasmine Games, live music, and performances from some of Austin’s most compelling poets and musicians.The lineup includes:
Featured Poets: Ms. Trin-I-Tee, Mazat, Nala Washington, and The Blacksmith
Featured Musicians: Rap/Hip-Hop by Boooka and Indie Bedroom Pop by Tiffany Rose
Together, these artists create a powerful ritual of words, rhythm, and sound leading into Hatcher’s staged work-in-progress.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Ensemble 1: Thu, Oct 23 & Fri, Oct 24 (Ms. Trin-I-Tee, Mazat, Tiffany Rose)
Ensemble 2: Sat, Oct 25 & Sun, Oct 26 (Nala Washington, The Blacksmith, Boooka)
Garden Stage Live Music Pre-Shows
Thu, Oct 23 & Sun, Oct 26: Arrive early at The VORTEX to enjoy dinner from Patrizi’s and soak in the beauty of The Butterfly Garden before the show begins. Each evening opens with live music from local artists, setting the mood with soulful sounds and intimate stylings under the open sky. Come for the food, stay for the music, and ease into the evening surrounded by community, art, and nature.
Eloise Stage Afterparties
Fri, Oct 24: every.Word Uncut Poetry Cypher: A late-night poetry cypher where words move freely and boundaries blur. Poets, rappers, and musicians trade verses in a space charged with intimacy, improvisation, and fire. No rules, no sign-ups, no clock — just raw expression and unfiltered energy. It’s a gathering where voices collide, rhythms intertwine, and the night stretches as long as the flow. Come ready to speak, vibe, and surrender to the moment.
Sat, Oct 25: Underground Poetry Slam: A poetry slam hosted by Michael Hatcher and Jasmine Games. No mic. No props. Just 8 poets, 3 minutes each, and the crowd decides the winner by applause. Go over time, and you’re out. Raw, unfiltered, and fueled by fire. The pot is built by the poets and crowd donations, and the winner takes all. Bring your voice. Bring your applause. Bring the heat
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Michael Hatcher (he/him) is a poet with over 13 years of experience in the slam scene and the Executive Director of The Poet House. He holds a BS in Sociology from The University of North Texas and a Global MA in Human Resource Management from Colorado State University. A decorated slam poet, Hatcher is a 4x Dallas–Fort Worth Regional Slam Champion, a Jubilee Theater Black History Slam Champion, and a 2024 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam finalist. His books include Things I Say in Crowded Rooms and above the canopy, with publications in Inverted Syntax Magazine, Flying Ketchup, and Word Space Dallas. Follow him @mikekpz_poetry.
Jasmine Games (she/her) is a Black queer spoken word poet and theater practitioner from Houston, TX. She holds a BA in English and Performance Studies from Texas A&M University and an MFA in Drama and Theatre for Youth and Communities from The University of Texas at Austin. An award-winning artist, she received the 2021 Sexton Prize for Poetry and the Winifred Ward Award for excellence in theatre education. She is a 2025 Austin Poet Laureate finalist and a 2025 Blackberry Peach National Poetry Slam finalist. As Artistic Director of The Poet House and Director of Education & Social Justice at The VORTEX, she uses drama and creative writing to address social justice. Her debut poetry collection, Somebody’s Daughter, is available online. Follow her @jasminegamespoetry or visit jasmineigames.com.
Dre’ Jackson (he/him) is a poet originally from Central Florida and Warwick, Bermuda, now based in Austin, Texas. With degrees in Psychology and Education, he writes with a deep respect for human complexity, always tuned into both the mind and the moment. A writer first and performer second, Jackson turns feelings into something audiences can hear, feel, and maybe even heal from. His style is honest, curious, and intentional, tracing the contours of love, heartbreak, lust, and everything in between. His debut poetry collection, Side Mirror, is available on Amazon.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
every.Word Poetry is a program of The Poet House, a sponsored project of the Austin Creative Alliance, committed to cultivating a community of spoken word artists in Austin, TX and beyond. The Poet House centers poets of color, queer poets, youth, and poets with disabilities through performances, workshops, and wellness-based programs.
The VORTEX, one of Austin’s longest-running alternative performance venues, is a cultural anchor dedicated to inclusive and innovative art. Home to The Eloise Stage, a nationally certified butterfly garden, The Butterfly Bar, and Patrizi’s, The VORTEX supports diverse artists and communities through bold new works and collaborative partnerships.
Join us for a powerful evening of poetry, music, and the beauty of Black expression.
Media Contact:
Jasmine Games
The Poet House & The VORTEX
jasminegames@thepoethouse.org
jasmine@vortexrep.org