Dry Nights Open Mic Night– Roman Duenas

Video credit: Samantha Barnett

First place winner Roman Duenas performs his piece for the Dry Nights Open Mic Night on Saturday, September 24, 2022.

The University of Guam Press, in partnership with Guam Focus on Life, hosted an open mic night at the Paniq45 Café in Tamuning. In line with Suicide Prevention Month, writers shared pieces that addressed suicide prevention and the mental health crisis on island. Performers were encouraged to use their writing to navigate complex emotions like intimacy, addiction, regret, longing, abuse, or suicide.

Finalists (left to right): Dulce Imbo, Nichole Quintanilla, and Roman Duenas.

Dry Nights Poetry Open Mic Night at the Paniq45 Café.