LGBT

In a city overrun with open mic nights, there's only one way to stand out: Bill your gig as "the new emergence of a queer radical avant-garde." Artist-performer Alex Smith is the main brain behind Hibiscus, the A-Space's new monthly forum for aspiring poets, musicians and revolutionary fairies. Smith says Hibiscus draws a diverse crowd, including Pagan worshippers, LGBT activists and spoken-word performers. Smith calls them a "tribe of traveling gypsies," whose performances are both intense and calming. As Philadelphia's only queer open mic night, providing an intimate and safe atmosphere is crucial to Smith's mission; he even plays music and lights incense to help budding artists ease into a participatory mood. The idea came to him in a vision, and the moniker was inspired by radical drag queen Hibiscus. With a name and history like that, he may just be onto something.

Hibiscus, Sun., Dec. 11, 7:30-10 p.m., and every second Sunday of the month, A-Space, 4722 Baltimore Ave., 215-727-0882.