published in "The City"

Charlene Coates will be the new open mic emcee, succeeding Kelly Harris, beginning Sunday, January 18, 2004.

She is an English/Journalism graduate of Ashland University. While at Ashland, she won second place in the University's annual writing contest her senior year. She was also selected to interview Juan Williams, former Washington Post reporter and Fox News analyst; and Mike Farrell, activist and actor from the television show M.A.S.H.

She has written for Sun Newspapers, The Downtown Tab, Northern Ohio Live and Cleveland Magazine.

Coates started reading her poetry in art galleries, with some poems 'commissioned' to relate to the installation. She has been invited to appear in several films and video performances with Robert Banks and groop, an experimental art collaborative. She has also read her poetry at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the jazz quartet Up Ensemble.

In May, 2003 and 2004 Coates was selected as feature poet for the ?Say What? Poetry Contest held at the Hessler Street Fair. This annual event selects an adult feature for the contest geared to inspire teen poets and songwriters. Speaking on her hints of anti-consumerism, contest organizer Lee Batdorff said, "She had exactly what we were looking for. She hit it right between the eyes."

Currently, Coates is the writer for Cool Cleveland's "Kucinich Beat" and a contributor to Cleveland Metro News. If not in front of the computer or watching C-span, Charlene is usually at a gallery opening or rocking out at the Beachland Ballroom.