Listings For June, 2012

Listings After June

About the Poetry Menu

How to Submit Events

Donation Info

The Lincoln Arts Council

The Nebraska Arts Council

Nebraska Center for the Book

The Nebraska Humanities Council

the Nebraska Writers Collective

Nebraska Writers Guild

Nebraskans For The Arts

Poetry Resources

American Life in Poetry: A column by Ted Kooser

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Nebraska City

The Nebraska Center for Writers

The Nebraska Library Commission

Nebraska Shakespeare Festival

The Neihardt State Historic Site

Omaha Public Library

Series and Festivals

the Clean Part Reading Series

The (downtown) omaha lit fest

John H. Ames Reading Series

The Nebraska Book Festival

Naked Words open mic

the no name reading series

OM Center Poetry Events:
OmahaSlam.com

The Plains Writers Series

Tuesdays With Writers

Wednesday Words

Presses

The Backwaters Press

Bradypress

Logan House Press

University of Nebraska Press

Independent Bookstores

A Novel Idea Bookstore

The Bookworm bookstore

Indigo Bridge Books

Blogs/Artist Info

The H.U.N. Poets

Blog of the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors

MidVerse.com

The Plains Song Review blog

Prairie Moon Reading & Music News (Lincoln-area readings)

Pseudo Poseur Productions

National Poetry Resources

For US and worldwide poetry listings, go to The Poetry Kit

Poetryslam.com

May

• 5/17, Th-- 5-8pm, fundraiser for the Nebraska Writers Collective featuring readings by UNMC's Seven Doctors Project at the Side Door Lounge (3530 Leavenworth Street). We're raising money to help with NWC programs and serving up appetizers and words. Poets on Loan and the Louder Than a Bomb: Omaha Youth Poetry Festival help get students, teachers, and poets excited for poetry. "I enjoyed having you guys and girls here. You got the whole day and we didn't have to do anything boring. It was delightful." -A student at Fremont Middle School after a 3/19/12 day of workshops. Your donations at the door or online (at newriters.org/get-involved ) help keep it all going. $20 per person Suggested.

• 5/17-20, Th-Su-- 6:30pm, 12:30pm on Sunday, The Apollon presents Full-Time: Struggle and Satisfaction in Working America at the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The show explores what it means and what it takes to earn a living and to make a life in our country. Inspired, in part, by the music of Bruce Springsteen, the work in Full-Time chronicles part of the dark side of the American Dream through the eyes of people for whom it may never be more than an unattainable standard. Each show includes a gourmet meal, gallery exhibition, and original performance. For ticket information and times, see: apollonomaha.com/productions/spring-show.

• 5/17-20, Th-Su-- Prairie Writers' Workshop: Exploring Your "Gift of Song" through The Willa Cather Foundation (413 North Webster, Red Cloud, 1-866/731-7304). In this writing workshop, participants will focus on identifying the themes and motifs that may already appear in their own writing and experimenting with new methods of expression. In addition to 14-hours of poetry writing instruction from artist in residence, Mary K. Stillwell, the workshop will incorporate tours of seven historic sites relating to Cather's life and work and a reception that provides participants with the opportunity to share their work with the public. Register by May 7 for discounted pricing. Register and see the schedule at www.willacather.org.

• 5/17, Th-- 7-11pm, Verbal Gumbo with Felicia Webster and Michelle Troxclair at House of Loom (1012 S. 10th St., Omaha). $5, all ages until 9pm, 21+ after. Crabby about the political climate? Want some okra change? Just want to discuss your relationshrimps--or the andouille sausage in your life? Well, Verbal Gumbo is here with some hot, spicey flava with a side o' rice and rhythm. This is the Spoken Word event that promotes our rich diversity of culture and style. Soul session immediately following by DJ Real. (3rd Thursday)

• 5/17, Th-- 7:30pm, the Smash Teeth Poetry Slam at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln) with Oracle Jones and Ryley G. Poetry slam is back in Lincoln! Features in May are two competing Louder Than a Bomb poets, Charlie from LHS and Katharen from Lincoln Northstar, and May is a 'favorite author' slam- do your work- or someone else's (except the feature's) (2nd Thursday, except this month!).

• 5/19, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 5/21, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 5/22, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 5/22, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 5/23, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 5/26, Sa-- 7pm, Open Mic Poetry Night at A to Z Books (507 North Jeffers, North Platte) -- ultra large bookstore. It's a fun, funny, widely varied group. Poems can be short or long, funny or touching, rhymed or free verse. Musicians too. George Lauby of The North Platte Bulletin emcees and makes you feel comfortable. (2nd Friday, 4th Saturday).

• 5/26, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 5/28, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 5/29, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 5/29, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 5/30, W-- 6:30-7:30pm, Stir is a project that incorporates art and spirituality held at First Christian Church (6630 Dodge St., Omaha). A service that prizes creativity and honesty over doctrine and dogma. A opportunity for people to stretch their minds and stir their souls. The featured artists will be painter, Jordan Anderson; poet, Fred Zydek; thespian, TBA; and musician, Sylvia Griffith. The artists' muse will be the second creation narrative found in Genesis: Genesis 2:4-25. The event is free. Light appetizers will be provided.

• 5/30, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 5/31, Th-- 7pm, Poetry Slam in Vermillion, SD at the Pit Lounge (main floor of the USD student union). $5 at the door. Sponsored by the Vermillion Literary Project. For more information, see http://www.usd.edu/orgs/projlit/poetryslams.html (last Thursday of the month)

• 5/31, Th-- 7-8:30pm, the Park Teen Center Underground Open Mike Coffeehouse Night. Open mic/slam poetry/hot cocoa/coffee/acoustic music for Grades 8 thru 12 at Park School (855 S 8th St (basement of the school), Lincoln). For more info, call 402/441-9471. $1 cover. (last Thursday of the month)

June

• 6/1, F-- 7-9pm, Slam Poetry Open Mic Night at Accelerando Coffee House (3504 South 108th St., Omaha (Around back of the Westside Community Center)). Open Mic. Slam Poetry. Awesome Coffee. (1st Friday)

• 6/2, M-- the Apollon presents Out of the Lips of Silence(Special reprisal of the fall premiere) at the Red Cloud Opera House (Red Cloud, NE). As part of the 57th annual Willa Cather Spring Conference, this one-night performance is open to conference attendees only. Please visit the conference registration page for more information about how to join us in Red Cloud: www.willacather.org/conferences/spring-conference. Inspired by Willa Cather's poem "Prairie Spring," this piece takes the seemingly blank landscape of Nebraska and transforms it into a rich, complicated, and violent story of generation and regeneration. Selected artists are creating paintings and sculptures for the gallery show, inspired by rehearsal for the movement piece. The performance will be preceded by a plated meal, sourced locally by chef John Schow and drawing from The Apollon's signature style of "comfort food reinvented."

• 6/2, M-- 1pm, A duo reading at the Bookworm bookstore (8702 Pacific St., Omaha). Twyla Hansen reads from her new book, Dirt Songs: A Plains Duet published by The Backwaters Press 2011, and Lisa Knopp will read essays from What the River Carries: Encounters with the Mississippi, Missouri and Platte published by the University of Missouri Press 2012. The annual Art Fair will be held at Countryside Village that weekend, too; please arrive early to find parking and browse the exhibits!

• 6/2, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 6/4, M-- 7-9pm, PROVOKE Poetry at The PS Collective (6056 Maple Street, Omaha, 556-9090), an open mic hosted by Jack Hubbell; it's the poetic equivalent to that sharp pointy stick your mom always warned you about (Prissy poems of plump puppies passionately prancing with pink pom-poms will be highly frowned upon and dealt with severely). (1st Monday)

• 6/4, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 6/5, Tu-- 7pm, Tuesdays with Writers at The South Mill (4736 Prescott, just west of 48th and Prescott, Lincoln). Featured readers TBA. There is an open mic following the feature. For more information, contact Deborah McGinn at dmcginn@lps.org (1st Tuesday of the month)

• 6/5, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 6/5, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 6/6, W-- 6-8pm, Naked Words Open Mike at the Soul Desires (1026 Jackson Street, Omaha). Poetry, Frivolty, the Occasional Pop-Tart. Hosted by Heidi Hermanson, email prairie.sky (at) gmail.com for more information. (1st Wednesday)

• 6/6, W-- 8pm, Travis Davis invites you to "Poet Show It" at 1122 D St. (Lincoln). Local writers come and read. Local people come and drink. Coffee, Booze, Poetry, Fiction. Discovery. Discovery. Discovery. Go here for the FaceBook link: Facebook.com. (1st and 3rd Wednesday)

• 6/6, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 6/8, F-- 7pm, Open Mic Poetry Night at A to Z Books (507 North Jeffers, North Platte) -- ultra large bookstore. It's a fun, funny, widely varied group. Poems can be short or long, funny or touching, rhymed or free verse. Musicians too. George Lauby of The North Platte Bulletin emcees and makes you feel comfortable. (2nd Friday, 4th Saturday).

• 6/9-15, M-Su-- the 2012 Nebraska Summer Writers Conference at UNL. UNL has a rich literary history that could be said to have begun with Willa Cather (a student of the university) and continues to this day with esteemed projects such as the journal Prairie Schooner and, of course, the Nebraska Summer Writers Conference which has brought in Pulitzer winners, National Book Award winners, and best-selling authors. 2012 faculty includes Emily Danforth, Meghan Daum, Kwame Dawes, Dave Madden, Lee Martin, Michelle Tea, and more. For full information and to sign up, see nebraskawriters.unl.edu

• 6/9, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 6/9, Sa-- 7:30pm, the OM Center Poetry Slam and open mic (1216 Howard, Omaha). Tonight features the return of Dan Leamen! It's the longest-running slam in Omaha, often featuring some of the best performance poets in the nation. Open mic starts at 7:30 followed by the slam; sign up BEFORE 7:30 as signup is limited and will only be allowed after 7:30 if less than 8 are in the slam. Hosted by Matt Mason. $7 suggested donation. Call 345-5078 or go to OmahaSlam.com for more information. (2nd Saturday of every month)

• 6/11, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 6/12, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 6/12, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 6/13, W-- 11:45am-1pm, "Wednesday Words," at the Nebraska Arts Council, (Historic Burlington Place Bldg, 1004 Farnam Street, Lower Level, Omaha) featuring award-winning NE poets and fiction writers as well as the winners of the Individual Artist's Fellowship Awards from the The Nebraska Arts Council, as part of our "Braided River" series. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show. While you are here, drop by the Fred Simon Gallery to see some of artwork from our best Nebraska artists. Today features . (second Wednesday)

• 6/13, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 6/14, Th-- 7:30pm, the Smash Teeth Poetry Slam at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln) with Oracle Jones and Ryley G. Poetry slam is back in Lincoln! (2nd Thursday).

• 6/16, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 6/18, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 6/19, Tu-- 7-8pm, Poetry Downtown On The Bricks at Book Ends Used and Collectible Books (2218 Central Ave., Kearney). Tonight features 2 poets. Admission is free to the public, but come early - we can only seat about 30 folks comfortably. Call Book Ends at 308-293-0031 or email bookends@rcom-ne.com. (3rd Tuesday)

• 6/19, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 6/19, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 6/20, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 6/20, W-- 8pm, Travis Davis invites you to "Poet Show It" at 1122 D St. (Lincoln). Local writers come and read. Local people come and drink. Coffee, Booze, Poetry, Fiction. Discovery. Discovery. Discovery. Go here for the FaceBook link: Facebook.com. (1st and 3rd Wednesday)

• 6/21, Th-- 7-11pm, Verbal Gumbo with Felicia Webster and Michelle Troxclair at House of Loom (1012 S. 10th St., Omaha). $5, all ages until 9pm, 21+ after. Crabby about the political climate? Want some okra change? Just want to discuss your relationshrimps--or the andouille sausage in your life? Well, Verbal Gumbo is here with some hot, spicey flava with a side o' rice and rhythm. This is the Spoken Word event that promotes our rich diversity of culture and style. Soul session immediately following by DJ Real. (3rd Thursday)

• 6/23, Sa-- 7pm, Open Mic Poetry Night at A to Z Books (507 North Jeffers, North Platte) -- ultra large bookstore. It's a fun, funny, widely varied group. Poems can be short or long, funny or touching, rhymed or free verse. Musicians too. George Lauby of The North Platte Bulletin emcees and makes you feel comfortable. (2nd Friday, 4th Saturday).

• 6/23, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• 6/24, Su-- 1pm, "Poetry Sandwiches: Community at Work" presents noted Omaha poets Matt Mason and Sarah Mckinstry-Brown at Holy Family church (17th and Izard St., Omaha). The event is to raise funds for the social ministries of the parish, including the lunch-making program, the food and clothing pantry, and the emergency assistance program. Matt has won a Pushcart Prize and 2 Nebraska Book Awards and been on 5 teams at the National Poetry Slam. Sarah's recent book, Cradling Monsoons, won the Blue Light Book Award and the Nebraska Book Award. A contribution of $10 at the door is suggested, but no one will be turned away. The poets will have copies of their books for sale and signing after the reading, and cookies and coffee will be available.

• 6/25, M-- 7pm, Poetry at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln): Featured Reader then open mike after. Hosted by Rex Walton. For more information, see www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

• 6/26, Tu-- 7-9:30, open mic poetry at Indigo Bridge Books (7th and P Sts., Lincoln). Contact Aja for info: aja@indigobridgebooks.com. (every Tuesday)

• 6/26, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). Music, comedy and poetry... or any thing else goes. Online sign ups on our FB 24/7 for priority stage time: facebook.com/Shootyourmouthoff. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Mandy Morgan and Jim Morrison will be your hosts as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's slam scene and free drinks prizes await you. The best free show in Omaha! (every Tuesday)

• 6/27, W-- 8pm-12am, Acoustic Open Mic for musicians and poets at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Hosted by Spencer. For more information call 402-477-2007. (every Wednesday)

• 6/30, Sa-- 7-9:30pm, Open mic at Aroma's (1033 Jones St., Omaha) for musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. See the Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/166928963418548/. (every Saturday)

• Fall: The (downtown) omaha lit fest

• November: The Nebraska Book Awards