The Upstairs Artspace’s Literary Open Stage kicks off Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Thereafter, Open Stage takes place monthly, the second Friday of each month, throughout 2015. Readings begin at 7 p.m. Writers who would like to read original fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and memoir work are invited to sign up beginning at 6:30 p.m. Performances are limited to 10 minutes.

The popularity of the Open Stage has propelled its growth from a quarterly, to a bi-monthly, and now monthly event — a result of the talent and energy of so many writers who wish to share their work, and the positive response from the community. For years, Literary Open Stage was quarterly; too few local writers produced enough work to merit more. That is no longer the case.

Tryon has increasingly become a destination for active writers and literary events, appeal generated by Tryon Writers, the Lanier Library Poetry Festival, the Sidney Lanier Poetry Prize, the Tryon Daily Bulletin, Tryon Fine Arts Center, and the community’s four independent booksellers–Noah’s Ark Book Attic, Tryon Fine Books, The Book Shelf, and The Village Book Shoppe.

Come to the Upstairs on Feb. 13 for a fun, interesting and eclectic evening of original literature. The event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and all proceeds go to the Upstairs, a nonprofit organization.

The Upstairs Artspace is located at 49 S. Trade St., Tryon. For more information about all of the galleries, exhibits and programs, call 828-859-2828 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, or visit www.upstairsartspace.org.

-Submitted by Lee Stockdale