Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic – Tempe Center for the Arts

Looking for a laid-back, creative space to share your music or poetry midweek? Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic is a long-running community event where performers of all kinds are invited to take the stage and connect through live performance.

🗓 When: Every Wednesday
⏰ Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
📍 Where: Tempe Center for the Arts
🎟 Cost: Free

Hosted by Walt Richardson, this open mic welcomes musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets to share their work in a supportive, community-driven environment.

Each performer is given up to 10 minutes total—that’s two songs or two poems, including setup and breakdown time. Whether you’re performing covers or original work, this is a great space to experiment, connect, and be heard.

What to Expect:

• Musicians should bring their own instruments or recorded music (CDs or iPods preferred)
• Microphones, music stands, and a P.A. system are provided
• A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere for artists at all levels

About the Host:
Walt Richardson is a respected singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his work in reggae and world music with groups like Driftwood and Morning Star. A longtime pillar of the Tempe music scene, he has been widely recognized for his contributions to arts education and his efforts to promote cultural diversity through music.

Whether you’re stepping on stage or just enjoying the performances, Walk-In Wednesday is the perfect midweek creative outlet.

Come share your voice—or discover someone new.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.

Walk-In Wednesday Open Mic hosted by Walt Richardson

Every Wednesday | 5pm – 10pm | Tempe Center for the Arts

Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided.  No cover charge.

About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.