First Thursdays started on April 3rd, 2003 in an arts studio in Chinatown.  Since then, it has grown to be the largest registered slam poetry competition in the world and is a vibrant member of Honolulu's arts community.  The mission of First Thursdays is to provide a platform for all poets who wish to set foot on its stage and share their words.  It also strives to expose its audience to touring poets, musicians, artists, and DJ's by hosting a special guest feature at each show.

Past features have included touring poets (such as Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Taylor Mali, Beau Sia, Andrea Gibson, Buddy Wakefield, Sekou tha Misfit, Karen Finneyfrock, Anis Mojgani, Mike McGee, Angelo Moore from Fishbone), musical groups (Quadraphonix, Henry Kapono, Makana, Taimane Gardner, John Cruz, Jake Shimabukuro, Full Blown Soul, Sewa Fare, Jennifer Johns, the Genie, Tempo Valley, Scott Huckabay), theatre productions (Chase, Jaguar Priests, Hip-hopalypse), the Waikīkī B-boys, Capoeira Senzala, the Tales From the Arabian Nights troupe, Shakti Dance Movement (bellydancing troupe), and fashion shows by Urban Nomad and Priya.

Past DJs have included Zita (Sisters in Sound), Kavet the Catalyst (Lightsleepers), Skid (Hawaiʻi ITF Champion), Taharba/Sovern-T (Treehaus), Frank(E) from the Beathackers Kollectiv, (Primmitiv (RGU), Chia (SIS), Oliver Twist, Celine (RGU), Toki (SIS), A2Z (Microscopic Syllables), Rebelgirl (RGU), Chris Sabien, Marloca (SIS), Monkey, Mega Supras, Mr. Nick (KTUH), Cookiehead Jenkins (KTUH), and Risup (Direct Descendants).

Past visual artistry has included live painting by Aaron Martin, Solomon Enos, Kimi Werner, Adriano Ferraz, Elisha Kemp, Matt DeMartino, Erin McCullough, the Storekeeper, Dhyana Zagri, Stanstill, Wes Kaʻuhane, Pancho Abalos, and Nabahe. We've also had interactive murals by Progress Hawaiʻi and visual projections by SYTE Entertainment, Elea Dumas, and Solomon Enos.  Furthermore, First Thursdays has even had massage therapists, chefs (Ono Pono got its start here), and psychic readers sharing their art forms in the lounges!!

If you would like your talents (whatever they may be) to be featured at First Thursdays, call (808) 387-9664 or email us for more info.