A name is called from the list of people who got to Air Lounge early enough to sign-up for the open mic. Everyone claps as the DJ plays a bit of music.

The person meekly approaches the mic and just before she can start her poem, the hosts realizes he hasn't seen her before. This means she can't read until she makes the walk. The host and open mic regulars direct the new edition to the other end of the room. The deejay cues up the theme music, the audience gets louder than they were a minute ago and the host reintroduces the poet with more flare than before.

She is officially taking the walk of confidence and she has received the official Mouth Off Wednesday welcome.

What began in January 2006 has become Oakland's longest running open mic. Mouth Off Wednesdays is is one of Hot Water Cornbread's ongoing and signature events.

Hosted by poet Prentice Powell, the event features an array of artists, from first-timers to slam champions to def poets; and the occasional musician or comedian and manages to make all feel comfortable and supported.

"We all started out somewhere with a little crumpled piece of paper trying to work our words out and piece it all together," Hot Water Cornbread CEO and Creative Director Brandy Daley explains. "We remind people of that and we celebrate newcomers because that's what it's all having courage to share your message and your vision (sic)."

Held at the Air Lounge - which is located in Old Oakland with easy access to happy hours and tasty dinners - this midweek gathering provides a space for folks to speak and be heard or simply listen and enjoy. From the college students who are home on break to the older folks imparting a bit of revolutionary rhetoric, Mouth Off Wednesdays is a a space where writers and aspiring writers are all about the share.

Doors open around 7 p.m. to give people enough time to sign-up for the open mic and the readings usually start around 7:30 p.m. Later in the night, the space where folks share their joys, worries and woes becomes a spot where they can dance to selections by DJ Hector or hang out and sip a glass of vino.

"Everyone's voice is valid and everyone's presence is necessary," Daley says. "I encourage people to come out and share a little bit of themselves and also get to know a little bit about what's going on in the world and the community ... then hang out afterward and have a good time."

If You Go

What: Mouth Off Wednesday
When: Doors open at 7 p.m.
Where: Air Lounge, 492 Ninth St., Oakland
Cover: $5, 21 and over