UPDATES:

Welcome!

The Barbed Wire Open Mic Series (aka BWOMS) is El Paso's longest-running and only award-winning open mic in the region. Established in 2007 as part of UTEP's MFA Creating Writing program, and currently part of BorderSenses, the series has provided a stage and platform for thousands of writers and performers.

Currently under the direction of Richie D. Marrufo, the open mic has found success in various venues throughout the city, including virtual events. Our current venues, events, and projects are as follows:

Venues:

Mona Bar of Modern Art, 410 1/2 San Antonio Ave. - Every other Tuesday, 21+, 9pm - 12am, Sign-up starts at 8:30pm
Craft Rhythm & Brews, 1301 Texas Ave. - One Friday per month, All Ages, 8:30pm - 11:30pm, Sign-up starts at 7:30pm
Old Sheepdog Brewery, 3900 Rosa Ave. - Last Thursday of every month, All Ages, 8:30pm - 11:30pm, Sign-up starts at 7:30pm
"Stay at Home Open Mic", Online Show, every Monday, All ages, 8:00pm - 11:30pm Mountain Time (US), More Info: https://www.bwoms.com/onlineopenmics/

For more specific event dates and information:
1) Check our Events Calendar (Facebook) or
2) Add our Calendar (Google)

Please Subscribe to our Youtube Channel! We are currently working on a variety of projects including:

The Stay at Home Open Mic - Online, Streamed Live on Youtube. Visit for an Archive of past shows. Join us in Live Chat during a Live show.
Fresh Cuts - Our version of NPR "Tiny Desk," highlighting poets, songwriters, and storytellers from EPTX and beyond
Open Mic Highlights - featured performances, clips, and highlights from our live events
The BWOMS Podcast - Interviews with Creatives. Catch us by searching The BWOMS Podcast on apple podcasts, Spotify, Google, stitcher, or wherever you prefer listening to your favorite podcasts.
Misc. Community Events - Support for Book releases, readings, and more in support of Literary events in the region.

Thank you for your interest. Please enjoy our content and be part of our community of creatives.

Sincerely,

Richie D. Marrufo

Project Director, The Barbed Wire Open Mic Series

A BorderSenses Event

Image of Astronaut in space suit looking at a butt

The Poet Society ft. Richie D. Marrufo

08/07/2022

DJ Midnight at the Laundromat original mix featuring poetry by Richie D. Marrufo

BWOMS presents: Memeya

10/19/2021

An ekphrastic poetry and music show inspired by the art of Xochihuitzilin

Album art of Podcast cover featuring Isaac Hernand

Episode 52: Richie Castro

05/17/2021

Richie Castro is a performing creative, traveling the world with music and storytelling. Castro shares, "I have lived, studied and performed in Asia, Europe, Mexico and throughout the United States for more than two decades, and have had the pleasure of trading smiles with people from all over the world from behind my guitar."

Watch: The Lizard King - "Where The Lights Never Seem To Go Out" (BWOMS Fresh Cuts)

04/10/2021

Liz is a desert lizard who loves glitter and laying in the sun. Her biggest literary influences are contemporary poet Stephen Dunn, short story writer Raymond Carver, spoken word poet Michael Lee and poetess Maya Angelou. She has two meowing angels named Mr. Floofer and Toulouse. Some days she plays piano and goes until the cats start playing too. In her dream world, everything is covered in glitter.

Watch: Emily Llanes - "Poetry" (BWOMS Fresh Cuts)

04/08/2021

Emily is a huge activist on mental illness awareness and uses poetry to express the loss and gains of life. Poetry has guided her into mending old wounds and wishes to help others through her words. Sit back! Relax. Feel free to get naked with your emotions here! “ It’s okay to not be okay“

Watch: Denise Saenz - "Teonanácatl" (BWOMS Fresh Cuts)

03/26/2021

Denise is a chicana poet who uses poetry to heal. Not only herself but her community. Breaking and healing from generational trauma. We carry the wounds of our ancestors as well as their knowledge, poetry is the perfect vehicle to shine light on both.