Every third Saturday, something happens at 724 Park Ave in Plainfield that does not get nearly enough attention.
ACP Arts Ink, a Union County-based nonprofit, has been holding space for poets, performers, and audiences through its monthly open mic series, What's The Word, and in 2026 the series runs all twelve months — January through December, one show per month, same address, same open door.
The series is funded in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs.
What's The Word is not a curated showcase or an invitation-only event. It is an open mic. Performers at any level can sign up on Instagram at instagram.com/acp_arts ahead of time, or walk in and add their name to the list within 30 minutes of the show's start. Poetry is the backbone, but ACP Arts Ink welcomes spoken word, music, dance, and other performance forms — the only requirement is that the work is safe and respectful to the room.
Performers who want to sell books at the show can do so as long as they perform that night. Anyone looking to set up a merchandise table should contact the organizer at least a week before the show. Photographers from the ACP Arts Ink team are present at each event, and performers who want their photos can follow up with event coordinator Nourish Cruz on Instagram after the show.
The 2026 dates are: January 17, February 21, March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21, and December 19. All shows are at 724 Park Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060. ⚠️ Start time not confirmed — verify with organizer before publishing. ⚠️ Admission cost not confirmed — verify before publishing.
To get on the list or learn more, reach ACP Arts Ink at Info@ACPArtsink.org or visit acpartsink.org.
FAQ
What is What's The Word and who hosts it?
What's The Word is a monthly spoken word open mic series produced by ACP Arts Ink, a nonprofit based in Union County, NJ. Shows run every month throughout 2026 at 724 Park Ave in Plainfield, NJ 07060, and are open to performers and listeners alike.
How do I sign up to perform at What's The Word?
You can DM ACP Arts Ink on Instagram at instagram.com/acp_arts to request a spot in advance, or come to the venue and add your name to the list within 30 minutes of the show's start time.
Can I perform something other than poetry?
Yes. ACP Arts Ink welcomes spoken word, music, dance, and other performance forms. The only requirement is that the work is safe and respectful to the audience.
When are the 2026 What's The Word show dates in Plainfield?
The series runs on the third Saturday of most months: January 17, February 21, March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 21, and December 19 — all at 724 Park Ave in Plainfield.
