Sparky's Flying Circus

Sparky's Flying Circus returns to The Half Moon on Thursday 12 November, starting at 8.30pm and running late. It's Oxford's longest running free, late night open mic session, and the format is as open as the name suggests: the floor is open to music, poetry, performance and song, with featured guest artists playing alongside the open mic slots. The night is hosted by the compere Sparky, The Dangerous Poet.

Because it's an open mic, the bill is built on whoever decides to step up on the night. You'll hear a mix of music, poetry and performance, with the guest artists providing a bit of a focal point around which the rest of the evening gathers. It's the kind of night where the line-up isn't set in stone until the first person signs up, and the variety comes from the people who turn up rather than a pre-booked list.

If you're thinking of taking part, the house has you covered on the gear: there's PA equipment ready to go, and anyone who takes to the stage gets a free drink. Whether you're bringing a guitar, a notebook of poems or just your voice, the setup is there to make it easy to get on.

The Half Moon is at 17-18 St Clements, Oxford OX4 1AB. It kicks off at 8.30pm on Thursday 12 November and runs late into the night, and it's free to get in.