Listings For March, 2012

Listings After March

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Series and Festivals

the Clean Part Reading Series

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the no name reading series

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Blog of the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors

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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

February

• 2/7, Tu-- 7pm, Tuesdays with Writers at The South Mill (4736 Prescott, just west of 48th and Prescott, Lincoln). Featured readers tonight are Deola A. Thompson followed by "The Right Stuff". There is an open mic following the feature. For more information, contact Deborah McGinn at dmcginn@lps.org (1st Tuesday of the month)

• 2/7, Tu-- 7-8pm, Paul Dickey reads at Northeast Community College (Hawks Landing in the Student Center, Suite B, Norfolk).

• 2/7, 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)

• 2/7, 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)

• 2/8, 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 Twyla Hansen. (second Wednesday)

• 2/8, 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)

• 2/8, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 2/9-10, Th-F-- the Prairie Schooner Irish Issue Launch Party, a two-day event at the Sheldon Museum of Art (12th and R Sts., Lincoln). This free and open-to-the-public event features award-winning Irish writers included in Prairie Schooner’s Winter 2011 Special Irish Issue, along with other exciting, Irish-themed festivities. 2/9, from 1–3pm, Irish authors Deanie Rowan Blank and Nuala Ni Chonchuir read and give on-stage interviews in Sheldon’s Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium, followed from 3:30–5pm with a panel focusing on contemporary Irish literature. 2/10 from 1–3pm in the Ethel S. Abbott Auditorium, Irish writers Aidan Rooney and Sandra Bunting read and give on-stage interviews, followed from 3:30–5pm by the Prairie Schooner Irish issue launch, featuring live guest readings. On 2/10 from 7–8pm in the Sheldon’s Great Hall, Prairie Schooner will host a reception featuring live Irish music along with Irish-themed food and alcoholic beverages, immediately followed with feature readings by Blank, Bunting, Ni Chonchuir, and Rooney.

• 2/9, Th--6pm, Nebraska Wesleyan's Spring Visiting Writers Series presents author Jennifer S. Davis in Callen Conference Center (lower level of the Smith-Curtis Administration Building, Wesleyan campus, Lincoln). Davis is the author of two collections of short stories, Her Kind of Want, the winner of the Iowa Award for Short Fiction, and Our Former Lives in Art, which was selected by Barnes and Noble for their Discover Great New Writers series.

• 2/9, 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).

• 2/10, 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).

• 2/10, F-- 7:30pm, Strange Machine Poetry Reading with Benjamin Paloff, Megan Gannon, Tom McCauley, and James Shea at Gallery 72 (2709 Leavenworth St., Omaha, 402/496-4797). This reading features touring poet Benjamin Paloff of Michigan.  The reading also features Omaha poets Megan Gannon and Tom McCauley, as well as Lincoln poet James Shea. The Strange Machine Reading Series exists to provide the public with an opportunity to experience vital poetry in the flesh, from the mouths of both local and visiting poets. It is organized by Strange Machine Poetry Journal editors Natasha Kessler and Tom McCauley as well as poets Dylan Thaemert and Paul Clark.

• 2/10, F-- 9:30pm-1am, Calamity & Jane, Field Club, and In Love w/ Gage Wallace and Kait Rokowski at The Barley Street Tavern (2735 North 62nd Street, Omaha). 3 bands, 2 poets; with Kait Rokowski being a poet from Saint Paul who placed 3rd in the 2011 individual World Poetry Slam championships.

• 2/11, 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/.

• 2/11, Sa-- 7pm, The Clean Part Reading Series in the Drift Station Gallery (18th and N Sts., Lincoln). Tonight features poets Lily Brown, author of Rust Or Go Missing, and Benjamin Paloff, author of The Politics. Please see our website at www.cleanpartreading.blogspot.com for more details, and encourage your friends and students to attend this free, open-to-the-public event! (Also, we will be raffling off some great prizes!)

• 2/11, Sa-- 7:30pm, the OM Center Poetry Slam and open mic (1216 Howard, Omaha). Tonight features Kait Rokowski from Saint Paul. 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 tonight by Katie F-S. $7 suggested donation. Call 345-5078 or go to OmahaSlam.com for more information. (2nd Saturday of every month)

• 2/13, 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)

• 2/14, 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)

• 2/14, 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)

• 2/15, 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)

• 2/15, 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)

• 2/15, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 2/16, 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)

• 2/17, F-- 4pm, the no name reading series, at Zen's Lounge (122 N. 11th Street, Lincoln). the no name reading series is free and open to the public and is run by the graduate students in the english department of the university of nebraska-lincoln. it aims to support the creative talent that comes out of the department by promoting that talent throughout the greater lincoln community. tonight's reading features Arden Eli Hill and Jennifer Bryan. for more information on the no name reading series, email Marianne at: mkunkel@huskers.unl.edu, or Nima at: nimakian@hotmail.com. (every other friday)

• 2/18, 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/.

• 2/19, Su-- 2pm, the John H. Ames Reading Series Readings by Nebraska Authors in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors (3rd Floor, Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 South 14th St., Lincoln, NE, 402-441-8516). This month features Susan Grace Dittman. Her interest in historical writing led her to write Abraham Lincoln's Shining Star: The Inspiring Story of Abraham Lincoln and Nebraska; in it, she connects Nebraska and Lincoln, the only U. S. state capital named after our 16th president with Abraham Lincoln's influence on the state's formation and development. For more information, call 402-441-8516, email heritage@lincolnlibraries.org.

• 2/20, 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)

• 2/20, M-- 7:30pm, the Encyclopedia Show: Omaha at the Omaha Community Playhouse (6915 Cass St., Omaha). Tonight's theme? Dinosaurs!

• 2/21, Tu-- 7-8pm, Poetry Downtown On The Bricks at Book Ends Used and Collectible Books (2218 Central Ave., Kearney). Tonight features Terry Schifferns and Steve Warren. 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)

• 2/21, 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)

• 2/21, 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)

• 2/22, 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)

• 2/22, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 2/23, 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)

• 2/23, 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)

• 2/24, F-- 7-9pm, The Kingdom Poetry Vibe at College Of Saint Mary (Science Building, 7000 Mercy Rd., Omaha (72nd and Mercy Rd. entrance). We are pleased to present to you the first poetry night of 2012! This year we are not just entertaining, We will make change through our words! Come and be a part of the CHANGE! Poetry, Music, Singing, Gifts, and a good time that will change someone! Get YOUR Ticket Today! $5, $7 At the door. Contact Grace for more info: 402/594-9295.

• 2/25, 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/.

• 2/25, 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).

• 2/27, 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)

• 2/28, Tu-- 7pm, The Great Plains Writers Tour at Mount Marty College presents poets David Lee and Neil Harrison in Black Box Theatre (Bede Building, Mt. Marty campus, Yankton, SD). Lee has published twenty books of poetry, was named Utah’s First Poet Laureate and was finalist/runner-up for Poet Laureate of the United States. He has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award and was named one of twelve outstanding writers in Utah literary history and received the Utah Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts and a Governor’s Merit Award in the Humanities. Harrison’s poems have been collected in Story (Logan House, 1995 & 1996), In a River of Wind (Bridge Burner’s, 2000), Into the River Canyon at Dusk (Lone Willow, 2005), and Back in the Animal Kingdom (Pinyon Publishing, 2011), and in 2004 he won the Western Reading Series Editor's Choice Award for poetry.

• 2/28, 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)

• 2/28, 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)

• 2/29, W-- 7-8pm, Utah's 1st Poet Laureate, David Lee, reads at Northeast Community College (Hawks Landing in the Student Center, Norfolk). Lee is winner of numerous awards including nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award.

• 2/29, 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)

• 2/29, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

March

• 3/3, Sa-- 9pm, Pseudo Poseur Productions presents Light The Sandbox at The Sandbox (2406 Leavenworth, Omaha). Live entertainment filling the evening of the open house to The Sandbox's March featured artist Brian Finn. Bring an old lamp to light art with, even a cheap new one, working bulb included, and receive a free sharpie line art original by Brian Finn. Music by Vito Cole and Platte River Rain. Spoken Word by Chad M. Christensen (Pseudo Poseur Productions and Nebby Zine co-founder, author of Shoot from the Hip), Michael Trenhaile (Omaha wordsmith & musician, revered PPP collaborator) and The Hun Poets (live & loud Northeast Nebraskan poets, authors of Dancing with Skeletons). Brian Finn exhibition open house: 7pm. Gypsy Freakshow entertainment at 9. $5 cover after nine to those who don't bear lamps.

• 3/5, 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)

• 3/5, 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)

• 3/6, Tu-- 7pm, Tuesdays with Writers at The South Mill (4736 Prescott, just west of 48th and Prescott, Lincoln). Featured readers tonight are Nancy Savery, Rex Walton, Charlene Neely, and Marilyn Dorf. There is an open mic following the feature. For more information, contact Deborah McGinn at dmcginn@lps.org (1st Tuesday of the month)

• 3/6, 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)

• 3/6, 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)

• 3/7, 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)

• 3/7, 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)

• 3/7, 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)

• 3/7, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 3/8, 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).

• 3/9, F-- 4pm, the no name reading series, at Zen's Lounge (122 N. 11th Street, Lincoln). the no name reading series is free and open to the public and is run by the graduate students in the english department of the university of nebraska-lincoln. it aims to support the creative talent that comes out of the department by promoting that talent throughout the greater lincoln community. tonight's reading features Daniel Nyikos and Gabe Houck. for more information on the no name reading series, email Marianne at: mkunkel@huskers.unl.edu, or Nima at: nimakian@hotmail.com. (every other friday)

• 3/9, 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).

• 3/10, Sa-- 7:30pm, the OM Center Poetry Slam and open mic (1216 Howard, Omaha). 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)

• 3/12, 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)

• 3/13, 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)

• 3/13, 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)

• 3/14, 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)

• 3/14, W--6pm, Nebraska Wesleyan's Spring Visiting Writers Series presents Writers and University of Chicago professors Suzanne Buffam and Srikanth Reddy in Elder Gallery (Rogers Center for Fine Arts, 50th St. and Huntington Ave., Wesleyan campus, Lincoln). Buffam is the author of Past Imperfect, which won the League of Canadian Poets’ Gerald Lampert Award in 2006, and The Irrationalist; and her poems have appeared in numerous journals in the U.S. and Canada. Reddy is the author of two books of poetry — Facts for Visitors, which received the Asian American Literary Award, and Voyager.

• 3/14, 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)

• 3/14, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 3/15, 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)

• 3/18, Su-- 2pm, the John H. Ames Reading Series Readings by Nebraska Authors in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors (3rd Floor, Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 South 14th St., Lincoln, NE, 402-441-8516). This month features Paul Dickey. Dickey has written poetry, fiction, short non-fiction and plays. His latest book is titled They Say This Is How Death Came into the World, published in 2011. For more information, call 402-441-8516, email heritage@lincolnlibraries.org.

• 3/19, 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)

• 3/20, 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)

• 3/20, 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)

• 3/20, 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)

• 3/21, 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)

• 3/21, 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)

• 3/21, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 3/24, 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).

• 3/26, 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)

• 3/27, 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)

• 3/27, 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)

• 3/28, 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)

• 3/28, W-- 9pm signup, 10pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe at Arthurs (2 Blocks South of 114th and Dodge, Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Hosted by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc. (every Wednesday)

• 3/29, 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)

• 3/29, 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)

• 3/30, F-- 4pm, the no name reading series, at Zen's Lounge (122 N. 11th Street, Lincoln). the no name reading series is free and open to the public and is run by the graduate students in the english department of the university of nebraska-lincoln. it aims to support the creative talent that comes out of the department by promoting that talent throughout the greater lincoln community. tonight's reading features Crystal Gibbins and Danielle Metcalf. for more information on the no name reading series, email Marianne at: mkunkel@huskers.unl.edu, or Nima at: nimakian@hotmail.com. (every other friday)

• 3/31, Sa-- 8:45am-9pm, "Guilty Pleasures": the Nebraska Book Festival at NuVibe Coffee and the Nebraska History Museum in downtown Lincoln! 8:45-10am Workshops in poetry with William Trowbridge and Creative Non-Fiction with Lisa Knopp at NuVibe (126 North 14th Street, Lincoln), then the show moves to the Nebraska History Museum (15th and P Sts., Lincoln) from 10am-6pm with a keynote by novelist Ron Hansen, then a reading at NuVibe from 7-9 from poets in the Nebraska issue of The Midwest Quarterly published in 2011.

• 4/10, W--6pm, Nebraska Wesleyan's Spring Visiting Writers Series presents author David Philip Mullins in in Callen Conference Center (Wesleyan campus, Lincoln). He is the author of Greetings from Below, a collection of stories.

• 4/10, Tu-- 7pm, The Great Plains Writers Tour at Mount Marty College presents George Bilgere at Marian Auditorium (Mt. Marty campus, Yankton, SD). Bilgere’s most recent book of poetry is The White Museum, selected in 2010 for the Autumn House Poetry Series. His other books include Haywire (winner of the May Swenson Poetry Award in 2006) and The Good Kiss (chosen by U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins to win the University of Akron Poetry Prize in 2001). “In the house of contemporary poetry,” said Collins, “The Good Kiss is a breath of fresh American air.”

• 4/11, W-- 7-8pm, George Bilgere reads at Northeast Community College (Hawks Landing in the Student Center, Norfolk). Bilgere has read at the Library of Congress, the Bread Loaf Conference and at schools and libraries across the country; his poems have been featured on Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac and in Ted Kooser's American Life in Poetry.

• 4/13-15, F-Su, the 10th Annual Wine, Writers & Song Weekend in Brownville. More info TBA.

• 4/15, Su-- 2pm, the John H. Ames Reading Series Readings by Nebraska Authors in the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors (3rd Floor, Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 South 14th St., Lincoln, NE, 402-441-8516). This month features Mary Helen Stefaniak. A writer of fiction and essays with degrees from Marquette University and the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Stefaniak's books include The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia (W.W. Norton & Co., 2010), The Turk and My Mother and Self Storage and Other Stories. For more information, call 402-441-8516, email heritage@lincolnlibraries.org.

• 4/15-22, Louder Than a Bomb: Omaha preliminary bouts and Finals! Details TBA. Louder Than a Bomb: Omaha is a poetry slam featuring teams from 12 area high schools competing with their words.

• 4/18, W-- 4:30-8pm, Lied Center Teacher Workshops presents "Poetry Off The Page" led by Glenis Redmond at the Lied Center (301 N 12th Street, Lincoln). Some believe that poetry should not only be written and read, but also performed. Participants examine ways to involve students in memorizing and performing their poems to further communicate the written word with appropriate voice projection, physical stance and gesture. Glenis Redmond is an award-winning performance poet, praise poet, educator and writer from North Carolina. Curriculum Connections: Drama/Theater, Language Arts, Literature/Poetry, History/Social Studies. Registration deadline is Monday, April 16. Questions? Call 402/472-4747 or 800/432-3231.