Meet Crystal Espinosa | Teacher/Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Espinosa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Miami needs more poetry.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been an English teacher for over 15 years, and over the years, I have realized that my first love has always been dance, but my true love has always been words. In order to live entirely in love, I have sought to do my best to infuse both creative outlets into my life. Dancing on dancefloors and in between lines of poetry has taught me what it means to live life with my heart on my sleeve.

Often, my passion is misunderstood by my New York attitude, but truthfully, I just love hard… I love so hard, people who are uncertain of themselves find my authenticity to be confusing. What better way to avoid confusion than to write poetry in ambiguity, allowing for people to create their own dance… their own interpretations… their own stories, with a little help from my words…

I got to where I am today due to my own grit. I hustled hard my whole life, began teaching at 21, and never stopped. I am where I am today because I refused to give up. I refused to allow myself to be bent and broken by what so many of us have had to conquer in our own rights… life.

It’s easy to let go and let life ruin us. It’s hard to reclaim it, remind it that we are the ones with the power to create… to write our own stories… to inspire our dreams to keep dreaming. I learned that problems are inevitable, but misery…misery is optional…once I understood what that meant…I started choosing Happy…every time.

I want the world to know that my book Paragraphs and Pirouettes and my new Pop Up Poetry MIA experience are not just for poets. They’re for people who choose Happy. You’re never alone with a poem in your pocket…why not share? Which is why I decided to create Pop Up Poetry MIA- Pop Up Poetry MIA, a vibrant monthly gathering where poetry, music, cocktails, and community come together in a different Miami location each time.

Every month, we transform a unique space: rooftops, hidden lounges, art galleries, cozy courtyards into a haven for poets, creatives, and lovers of the spoken word. Expect an evening filled with powerful performances from featured poets, an open mic where voices rise and resonate, and a vibe that invites deep connection and bold self-expression.

This isn’t just a poetry night…it’s a creative pop-up movement that explores Miami’s heartbeat through language, sound, and soul.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer, a first-time listener, or somewhere in between, you’re welcome here. Bring a friend, a poem, or just your curiosity. Follow us for upcoming dates @popuppoetrymia

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beach! Some call Miami Sin City, but for me, it’s Sun City. I mean, what’s better than sinking your toes into warm sand, sipping an ice-cold cocktail, and swapping stories with your bestie under that golden sun? Catch the sunset at The Cleat for a chill nightcap, and maybe sneak in a little dancing after. But honestly? I’m a firm believer it’s not about where you are… it’s about who you’re with. Clearly, POP UP POETRY MIA at their monthly MEETUPS!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my friends and family. For supporting me even at my worst. For reminding me always to strive to be the best, and for helping me remember what it means to feel at all.

Instagram: @DANCIN_QUEENS26 @POPUPPOETRYMIA