Listings For July

Listings After July

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Weekly or Monthly Events

The Nebraska Center for Writers

American Life in Poetry: A column by Ted Kooser

The Nebraska Arts Council

The Nebraska Humanities Council

Nebraska Center for the Book

Nebraskans For The Arts

Plains Humanities Alliance

The Lincoln Arts Council

the Nebraska Writers Collective

John H. Ames Reading Series

Omaha Healing Arts Center Poetry Events:
OmahaSlam.com

The (downtown) omaha lit fest

Tuesdays With Writers

The Creighton Reading Series

the Clean Part Reading Series

the no name reading series

Nebraska Shakespeare Festival

The Backwaters Press

Logan House Press

Moxie Paper Press

Sandhills Press

Bradypress

Nebraska Literary Heritage Association

The Nebraska Library Commission

Omaha Public Library

A Novel Idea Bookstore

The Neihardt State Historic Site

The Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Nebraska City

PS Collective

Brownville Lyceum

Nebraska Writers Guild

Poetryslam.com

The Morpo Review

Poets Against The War

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

Whisper From The Heart poetry club (from Africa, mostly student-centered)

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

The Plains Song Review blog

InTheO.com Omaha events

Omaha Nightlife

Slam Omaha
with Poetry discussion on the Art board

MidVerse.com

July

• 7/1, 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)

• 7/2, Th-- 6:30pm, Tunes in Town Square in Ralston's town square features music as well as a poet reading between the 2 sets of music. Tonight features poet Heidi Hermanson. Readings are at about 7:20pm in downtown Ralston's gazebo, sponsored by the City of Ralston, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Cultural Arts Task Force. (every Wednesday during the summer)

• 7/2, Th-- 7-9pm, PROVOKE Poetry at The Benson Grind (6107 Maple Street, Omaha, 932-4040), 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 Thursday)

• 7/3, F-- 7-9pm, Open-Mic for musicians and poets at Old Market Tea House (517 South 13th Street, Omaha) hosted by Charmayne Harper. Come early to sign up for a spot on the schedule. Come share your talents and spoken and sung words! Pass this notice onto others! (1st Friday)

• 7/6, M-- 7pm, the F. St. Rec.Center Writer's Workshop is reading at the Crescent Moon Coffee (816 P, in Lincoln) at the beautiful venue in back.

• 7/7, Tu-- 7pm, Tuesdays with Writers at The South Mill (4736 Prescott, just west of 48th and Prescott, Lincoln). Tuesdays With Writers celebrates 11 years this July! Bring poems and short prose to share on the microphone and I will have a sheet cake ready to feast upon. There is an open mic following the feature. For more information, contact Deborah McGinn at dmcginn@lps.org (1st Tuesday of the month)

• 7/7, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off III at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). An evening of poetry, comedy and chaos the way it was meant to be seen: in a bar with 50 of your closest friends! See why our regulars think this is the best free show in Omaha. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Jim Morrison will be your host as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's SLAM scene and free drinks prizes await you. (every Tuesday)

• 7/8, W-- 11:45am-1pm, "Wednesday Words," at the Nebraska Arts Council, (Historic Burlington Place Bldg, 1004 Farnam Street, Lower Level, Omaha) featuring writers who have been awarded with the The Nebraska Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowships in Literature. 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 poet Michael Catherwood. (second Wednesday)

• 7/8, 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)

• 7/8, W-- 9pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe, Season III at NEO 15 (1507 Farnam St., Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Open mic poetry with The Last Few band live, with all the latest music, great food and drink specials all night long. (every other Wednesday)

• 7/9, Th-- 6:30pm, Tunes in Town Square in Ralston's town square features music as well as a poet reading between the 2 sets of music. Tonight features Omaha Firefighter and Inspirational Cowboy Poet David Mann. Readings are at about 7:20pm in downtown Ralston's gazebo, sponsored by the City of Ralston, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Cultural Arts Task Force. (every Wednesday during the summer)

• 7/9, Th-- 7pm, The Nebraska Writers Collective hosts The No Coast Poetry Slam at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso (16th and South Streets, Lincoln). Poetry: the full-contact Olympic sport. Open signup begins at 6:30pm. Show up early as we will be denoucing poet time and starting the slam promptly at 7pm. (I'm serious.) Admission is FREE - donations encouraged. Call 570-1619 or go to www.myspace.com/nocoastwriters for more information. (2nd Thursday)

• 7/10, 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 and 4th Friday).

• 7/11, Sa-- 4-5:45pm, X Poetry CommUNITY,Open Mic @ The Spot is back! Join us at Charles B. Washington Branch Library (2868 Ames Ave, Omaha). This is an open mic event with occasional features. Hosted by prahduct and God's Gift. This event is FREE and open to the public, just come in and join us in the "The Spot" located inside the library. For further info contact God's Gift at ywright08@yahoo.com or prahduct at productoftha88@yahoo.com, (402)659-8353. (Every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

• 7/11, Sa-- 7:30pm, the Omaha Healing Arts 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. Tonight features both the Omaha and Lincoln Poetry Slam Teams! Tonight will also have a silent auction for fantastic items, everywhere from Omaha Performing Arts to Big Brain Tattoos! It is also a No-Repeat slam... meaning if you compete in the slam with a poem you have used before in this slam, you will be penalized, so bring new work! 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 and Zedeka. $7 suggested donation. Call 345-5078 or go to OmahaSlam.com for more information. (2nd Saturday of every month)

• 7/14, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off III at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). An evening of poetry, comedy and chaos the way it was meant to be seen: in a bar with 50 of your closest friends! See why our regulars think this is the best free show in Omaha. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Jim Morrison will be your host as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's SLAM scene and free drinks prizes await you. (every Tuesday)

• 7/15, W-- 11:45am-1pm, "Wednesday Words," at the Nebraska Arts Council, (Historic Burlington Place Bldg, 1004 Farnam Street, Lower Level, Omaha) featuring writers who have been awarded with the The Nebraska Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowships in Literature. 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 TBA. (second Wednesday)

• 7/15, 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)

• 7/16, Th-- 5pm, Ink Slingers' Slam (a poetry slam for high school students only) at McFoster's Natural Kind Cafe (302 S 38th St, Omaha). Sign-up starts at 5:00 and the slam starts at 5:30 p.m. Two rounds, 3 minute time limit, must be your own original work! If you have any questions, e-mail kberry@omahapubliclibrary.org. (3rd Thursday of every month)

• 7/16, Th-- 6:30-8pm, "Poetry In Motion," a Spoken Word, Open Mic, Jazz Music, Spiritual experience at Love's Jazz & Art Center (2510 N. 24th St, Omaha), hosted by Michelle Troxclair. Free tickets are available to members of the Love Jazz & Art Center, otherwise only $4. For membership info call 502-5315. Food and beverages served. (3rd Thursday)

• 7/16, Th-- 6:30pm, Tunes in Town Square in Ralston's town square features music as well as a poet reading between the 2 sets of music. Tonight features widely-published poet Roy Reichle. Readings are at about 7:20pm in downtown Ralston's gazebo, sponsored by the City of Ralston, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Cultural Arts Task Force. (every Wednesday during the summer)

• 7/18, Sa-- 1-3pm, Mojo's Saturday Poetry Magazine at The Benson Grind (6107 Maple St., Omaha). Led by David "The Professor" Hufford, bring your new poems, seasonal poems, topical poems, summer poems, incidental poems, experimental poems, hot, sweaty poems, funny poems, academic poems, form poems, and other poems with "juice." For more information, email DavidPHufford@yahoo.com. (3rd Saturday)

• 7/21, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off III at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). An evening of poetry, comedy and chaos the way it was meant to be seen: in a bar with 50 of your closest friends! See why our regulars think this is the best free show in Omaha. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Jim Morrison will be your host as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's SLAM scene and free drinks prizes await you. (every Tuesday)

• 7/22, 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)

• 7/22, W-- 9pm-1am, The Midwest Poetry Vibe, Season III at NEO 15 (1507 Farnam St., Omaha). One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Open mic poetry with The Last Few band live, with all the latest music, great food and drink specials all night long. (every other Wednesday)

• 7/23, Th-- 6:30pm, Tunes in Town Square in Ralston's town square features music as well as a poet reading between the 2 sets of music. Tonight features a poet TBA. Readings are at about 7:20pm in downtown Ralston's gazebo, sponsored by the City of Ralston, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Cultural Arts Task Force. (every Wednesday during the summer)

• 7/24, 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 and 4th Friday).

• 7/25, Sa-- 4-5:45pm, X Poetry CommUNITY,Open Mic @ The Spot is back! Join us at Charles B. Washington Branch Library (2868 Ames Ave, Omaha). This is an open mic event with occasional features. Hosted by prahduct and God's Gift. This event is FREE and open to the public, just come in and join us in the "The Spot" located inside the library. For further info contact God's Gift at ywright08@yahoo.com or prahduct at productoftha88@yahoo.com, (402)659-8353. (Every 2nd and 4th Saturday)

• 7/27, M-- NOT TONIGHT, Naked Words Open Mike at the Benson Grind is taking the month off. Email prairie.sky@gmail.com for more information. (last Monday)

• 7/28, Tu-- 9pm signup, 9:30 start, it's Shoot Your Mouth Off III at The Hideout (320 S 72nd St, 504-4434). An evening of poetry, comedy and chaos the way it was meant to be seen: in a bar with 50 of your closest friends! See why our regulars think this is the best free show in Omaha. Check myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff for interviews with features and more information. Jim Morrison will be your host as open mic poetry and comedy, featured readers from Omaha's SLAM scene and free drinks prizes await you. (every Tuesday)

• 7/29, 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)

• 7/23, Th-- 6:30pm, Tunes in Town Square in Ralston's town square features music as well as a poet reading between the 2 sets of music. Tonight features Audience participation with Sally Walker. Readings are at about 7:20pm in downtown Ralston's gazebo, sponsored by the City of Ralston, Ralston Chamber of Commerce and Ralston Cultural Arts Task Force. (every Wednesday during the summer)

• 7/30, Th-- 7pm, Poetry Slam in Vermillion, SD at the Coffee Shop Gallery (24 W Main Street). $5 at the door. Sponsored by the Vermillion Literary Project. For more information, see http://www.usd.edu/orgs/projlit/vlpslam.cfm (last Thursday of the month)

• 7/30, 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)

Coming Up:

• 9/18-19, F-Sa-- the (downtown) Omaha Lit Fest at the Kaneko, W. Dale Clark Library, Slowdown, Film Streams and other Omaha locations. The theme this year is "The Sordid Arts of the Cheap Paperback." Visit www.omahalitfest.com for more details.

• 9/27, Su-- 1pm, the Annual Teen Poetry Bash at the W. Dale Clark Library (215 S 15th St, Omaha). We encourage teens to express themselves by preparing their entries over the summer. Sponsored by the Friends of Omaha Public Library, the Bash awards cash prizes for online entries and live readings. More details will be available soon at www.omahapubliclibrary.org/teen/.

• 11/14, The Nebraska Book Festival in Lincoln. More information TBA.