Penn State Altoona to host ‘Hard Freight Café’ open mic event March 17

Audience members listen in at the Hard Freight Cafe event

Students interested in Penn State Altoona’s English major or Writing and Digital Media minor are invited to an informal “Meet the English Faculty” gathering on Tuesday, March 17, before and after the “Hard Freight Café” open mic event in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts.

Credit: Penn State

ALTOONA, Pa. — “Hard Freight’s” spring open mic event will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, in the Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts at Penn State Altoona.

Attendees are invited to read or perform their own work or music or share a favorite piece of poetry or prose. Participants will be invited to sign up at the beginning of the program.

The event comes before the March 17 midnight deadline for spring 2026 submissions to “Hard Freight,” Penn State Altoona’s online student literary magazine. Up to three entries per student in the categories of fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, drama, visual art and multimedia work (such as original music, short videos, etc.) may be submitted online.

“Hard Freight Café” is sponsored by Penn State Altoona's English program and “Hard Freight.”

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