I have always loved to write. Even at a tender age, when I didn’t yet know how to spell, I would be writing my own books with my favorite cartoon characters. Later on, I started writing poetry, but I was shy and didn’t really share it with much of anyone. Except perhaps a couple of my teachers and maybe my parents (even though they always were, and still are, very supportive of my writing).

It wasn’t until I discovered a funky group of writers in Peekskill NY that my life started to take a much different and very interesting turn.

At 25 years old, I was enrolled in a Language Arts program at SUNY Purchase. I was beginning to find my voice as a writer when I made friends with an older poet. This poet told me about a group that met regularly in town. Even though I was still pretty much an introvert, I decided to join said group, which met one day a week on Thursday nights at one of the poet’s artist’s lofts in Peekskill NY.

Peekskill is steadily becoming a fast growing artist’s community. I wasn’t seeking out artists at the time, but even back in 2005 Peekskill was filled with a growing number of artist’s studios. There are artists of all different kinds who live and work in Peekskill. You can find anyone from painters to tattoo artists, and they come in all colors and from all different backgrounds. When I joined the South Street Poets Writer’s Group, I met a bunch of quirky, loveable people who became like a second family to me. They helped encourage me to come out of my shell and share my love of writing with the world.

It was a very unique experience. I had never joined a group of writers before and I was the youngest person there. Every other writer was at least in their forties or over fifty. They treated me as equal (much to my surprise) even though I jokingly called myself their “mascot” (not in an egotistical way mind you). I loved my fellow writer friends and began to learn lots of tips from them at how to become more confident in my art. For instance, one told me to edit my work after writing, not to be concerned wtih things like grammar and syntax before I’ve even finished the piece. As I continued to come to the small gathering of writers and share my pieces, and grew accustomed to receiving positive and helpful feedback, I began to grow more confident as a writer.

Soon, I was reading at the Studio Two Open Mic, which took place every First Friday of the Month at the same location that the groups met (on South Street, hence our name, the “South Street Poets”). I began to enjoy sharing my own work. There are many opportunities in Peekskill to share your writing and music with others. Over the years Open Mics have sprung up in many different venues here. Each one is unique, and a unique experience every single time you go.

I was also blessed to meet my wonderful husband at one of the Open Mics at South Street in 2010. We got married in 2014 at Croton Point Park, outside, on a beautiful spring day in May. Today we live in Peekskill. My friend who ran the Open Mic still runs Open Mics at a new location on South Street. It’s conveniently located right across from our apartment. And yes, we happen to live on the exact same street we met on!

Today, there are SO many opportunities to experience wonderful performance art in Peekskill. The Open Mics are of no exception! You can come to the Open Mic at 925 South Street every Second Friday of the Month at 7:30 pm. The show starts at 8:00pm. I also go to another Open Mic that happens on occasion at the Bean Runner Cafe, and you can find out when that will be at their website beanrunnercafe.com. Sometimes, the Peekskill Coffee Shop has Open Mics on Saturdays, and they are usually musical. I also go to meet friends, new and old, and socialize. The Khurtzal Coffe Shop has Open Mics as well: a Literary one and a Musical one, but I haven’t gone to them yet. You can call the shop for details. They have great hours as well.

I love to go to various shops in Peekskill like the Fern Tree, which is an African style clothing and accessory shop. Bruised Apple Books and Music is one of the most unique bookstores around! Also, who doesn’t love a trip to the riverfront, where you can get some ice cream, and enjoy a leisurely stroll? Not to mention all the wonderful restaurants on Restaurant Row, like 12 Grapes, the Quiet Man Pub. There’s also the popular and historical (was a stopover for George Washington back in the day) Birdsall Pub. Kathleen’s Tea Room is another lovely place that everyone can enjoy. It has scrumptious desserts and an amazing selection of many different teas!

Only drawbacks I find about living in Peekskill these days are that it’s a bit expensive to stay here. If you are an artist, you can apply to rent an artist’s studio (these can get expensive as well). However, you should make sure you have a steady income if you want to live here. It’s kind of hard to find affordable housing. We live in a small apartment that is in one of the older buildings. The place is small, but it is still cozy and comfortable, and we’ve got a great view of South Street. We can even see the river from the roof (where I sometimes sit and watch the world go by). While it can get noisy at times, you can also take a quiet stroll and enjoy thet scenery.

At its best, Peekskill is a wonderful place to walk around and meet new people. You can also discover fine dining and wonderful art, and unique experiences that you might not expect. For instance, I just went to a wonderful party tonight at my friend’s artists gallery. You never know what you may find or experience next in Peekskill, and I’m surely glad that I live here!