The Poetry Menu

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How do events get listed on the Nebraska Poetry Menu? Only with your help. We can't find all the info ourselves, so send additions, changes, comments, and suggestions to poetrymenu@googlegroups.com. The Poetry Menu is your best, free resource for Nebraska poetry events... Omaha poetry, Lincoln poetry, Scottsbluff, Kearney, Wayne, Norfolk, we want to make sure it's all here.

Good poetry fans: in this coronavirus pandemic, I'm assuming live events are still canceled. If you find anything that's not (like a virtual, Nebraska-based event), let me know. I'm going to stop updating anything else for a while. Any online events I hear about, I'll put here at the top. Thanks, everyone. -Matt

  • 4/14/21, W-- 6:30-8:30pm, the Nebraska Writers Collective's online youth open mic Lettuce Turnip The Beet. The signup for viewers and for youth poets is at: forms.gle/TduCidByoPSChKU47.


  • See poetry writing workshops from the Nebraska Writers Collective's Touring Artist Series sponsored by Humanities Nebraska. Poets Jacqui Germain, Meera Dasgupta, Brandon Som, Adam Stone, Debra Marquart, and Patricia Smith are featured on this Youtube playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist




    April

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Louder Than a Bomb: Great Plains preliminary bouts 18-19 at UNL's NU Auditorium (Nebraska Union, 14th and R Sts, Lincoln). High schools and junior high schools compete using poems in an exciting competition. $5 suggested donation, open to the public. See the full schedule at www.ltabgreatplains.org/schedule.

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Nebraska Writers Workshop at the Ralston Baright Public Library Meeting Room (5555 S 77th St, Ralston). Free! 5:30pm Teens ONLY, 6pm Poetry, 6:30pm Scripting (Stage & Film), 7pm Fiction & Readings for feedback. Facilitated by Sally J. Walker. See full details at: www.nebraskawritersworkshop.info. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Aly Peeler Open Mic at the Down Under (3530 Leavenworth St, Omaha). Open to poets, musicians, and more. Free! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry and Music at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Signup at 7:30. See more at www.meadowlarkcoffee.org. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at Night Owl Pub (3233 S. 13th St, Lincoln). Poetry and music! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/1, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic at American Dream (Lower Level, 7402 F St, Omaha). Poets, Comedians, whoever. American Dream is Omaha's only multi venue with a hangout bar, music hall, showgirl/stripclub, outside concert garden, and more. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/2, Th-- CANCELED, an April Evening at Mo Java (48th and St Paul, Lincoln). This month features poets along with a musician TBA. See more at the reading's Facebook page.

  • 4/4, Sa-- CANCELED, Omaha Writers Group at Petshop Gallery (2725 N 62nd St, Omaha). A weekly writing workshop open to the public. Bring your work and bring your friends. Every week, Gen provides coffee, snacks, and writing exercises. (every Saturday)

  • 4/6, M-- CANCELED, Open Mic at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln) hosted by Jeff Martinson. For more information, contact crescentmoon@inebraska.com and check www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

  • 4/7, Tu-- CANCELED, N. O. W. Group (North Omaha Writer's Group) at the Florence Branch Library (2920 Bondesson St, Omaha). This is a new group open to new members, so come join. This group will be for Poets, Fiction and Screenplay writers 19 yrs of age and up. Organized by Lillian Armstrong. Free. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/7, Tu-- CANCELED, Open Mic at Brokedown Palace (8805 Maple St, Omaha). 21 and over. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Louder Than a Bomb: Great Plains Semifinals 1 and 2 at the Omaha Conservatory of Music (7023 Cass St, Omaha). High schools and junior high schools compete using poems in an exciting competition. $5 suggested donation, open to the public. See the full schedule at www.ltabgreatplains.org/schedule.

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Nebraska Writers Workshop at the Ralston Baright Public Library Meeting Room (5555 S 77th St, Ralston). Free! 5:30pm Teens ONLY, 6pm Poetry, 6:30pm Scripting (Stage & Film), 7pm Fiction & Readings for feedback. Facilitated by Sally J. Walker. See full details at: www.nebraskawritersworkshop.info. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Poet Terrance Hayes reads at the Sheldon Museum of Art (12th and R Sts, UNL campus, Lincoln). Hayes is the author of 6 books of poetry, including American Sonnets For My Past and Future Assassin. This event is from the UNL Creative Writing Program.

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Aly Peeler Open Mic at the Down Under (3530 Leavenworth St, Omaha). Open to poets, musicians, and more. Free! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry and Music at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Signup at 7:30. See more at www.meadowlarkcoffee.org. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at Night Owl Pub (3233 S. 13th St, Lincoln). Poetry and music! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/8, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic at American Dream (Lower Level, 7402 F St, Omaha). Poets, Comedians, whoever. American Dream is Omaha's only multi venue with a hangout bar, music hall, showgirl/stripclub, outside concert garden, and more. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/9, Th-- CANCELED, Louder Than a Bomb: Great Plains Semifinals 3 and 4 at The Rose Theater (2001 Farnam St, Omaha). High schools and junior high schools compete using poems in an exciting competition. $5 suggested donation, open to the public. See the full schedule at www.ltabgreatplains.org/schedule.

  • 4/10, F-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry Night at Espresso Shoppe by Caravan (419 North Dewey St, North Platte). 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).

  • 4/11, Sa-- CANCELED, Omaha Writers Group at Petshop Gallery (2725 N 62nd St, Omaha). A weekly writing workshop open to the public. Bring your work and bring your friends. Every week, Gen provides coffee, snacks, and writing exercises. (every Saturday)

  • 4/11, Sa-- CANCELED, The Omaha Poetry Slam and open mic at OutrSpaces (1258 S. 13th Street, 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 followed by the slam. $10 Suggested Donation supports the artists and OutrSpaces. (2nd Saturday of every month)

  • 4/13, M-- CANCELED, Open Mic at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln) hosted by Jeff Martinson. For more information, contact crescentmoon@inebraska.com and check www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

  • 4/14, Tu-- CANCELED, N. O. W. Group (North Omaha Writer's Group) at the Florence Branch Library (2920 Bondesson St, Omaha). This is a new group open to new members, so come join. This group will be for Poets, Fiction and Screenplay writers 19 yrs of age and up. Organized by Lillian Armstrong. Free. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/14, Tu-- CANCELED, Open Mic at Brokedown Palace (8805 Maple St, Omaha). 21 and over. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/15, W-- CANCELED, Nebraska Writers Workshop at the Ralston Baright Public Library Meeting Room (5555 S 77th St, Ralston). Free! 5:30pm Teens ONLY, 6pm Poetry, 6:30pm Scripting (Stage & Film), 7pm Fiction & Readings for feedback. Facilitated by Sally J. Walker. See full details at: www.nebraskawritersworkshop.info. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/15, W-- CANCELED, Aly Peeler Open Mic at the Down Under (3530 Leavenworth St, Omaha). Open to poets, musicians, and more. Free! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/15, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry and Music at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Signup at 7:30. See more at www.meadowlarkcoffee.org. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/15, W-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at Night Owl Pub (3233 S. 13th St, Lincoln). Poetry and music! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/15, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic at American Dream (Lower Level, 7402 F St, Omaha). Poets, Comedians, whoever. American Dream is Omaha's only multi venue with a hangout bar, music hall, showgirl/stripclub, outside concert garden, and more. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/17, F-- CANCELED, Release Party of year 35 of UNK's The Carillon on the 2nd floor Atrium of Thomas Hall (University of Nebraska at Kearney campus). The release party will contain readings from the student contributors, food and drink, among exciting announcements of upcoming issues. The Carillon is a literary magazine published annually by the Xi Beta chapter of Sigma Tau Delta which is edited by undergraduate students at UNK and contains the work of UNK students.

  • 4/18, Sa-- CANCELED, Omaha Writers Group at Petshop Gallery (2725 N 62nd St, Omaha). A weekly writing workshop open to the public. Bring your work and bring your friends. Every week, Gen provides coffee, snacks, and writing exercises. (every Saturday)

  • 4/20, M-- CANCELED, Open Mic at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln) hosted by Jeff Martinson. For more information, contact crescentmoon@inebraska.com and check www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

  • 4/21, Tu-- CANCELED, N. O. W. Group (North Omaha Writer's Group) at the Florence Branch Library (2920 Bondesson St, Omaha). This is a new group open to new members, so come join. This group will be for Poets, Fiction and Screenplay writers 19 yrs of age and up. Organized by Lillian Armstrong. Free. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/21, Tu-- CANCELED, Open Mic at Brokedown Palace (8805 Maple St, Omaha). 21 and over. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/22, W-- CANCELED, Nebraska Writers Workshop at the Ralston Baright Public Library Meeting Room (5555 S 77th St, Ralston). Free! 5:30pm Teens ONLY, 6pm Poetry, 6:30pm Scripting (Stage & Film), 7pm Fiction & Readings for feedback. Facilitated by Sally J. Walker. See full details at: www.nebraskawritersworkshop.info. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/22, W-- CANCELED, Aly Peeler Open Mic at the Down Under (3530 Leavenworth St, Omaha). Open to poets, musicians, and more. Free! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/22, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry and Music at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Signup at 7:30. See more at www.meadowlarkcoffee.org. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/22, W-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at Night Owl Pub (3233 S. 13th St, Lincoln). Poetry and music! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/22, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic at American Dream (Lower Level, 7402 F St, Omaha). Poets, Comedians, whoever. American Dream is Omaha's only multi venue with a hangout bar, music hall, showgirl/stripclub, outside concert garden, and more. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/23, Th-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at the Gateway Mall Food Court (6100 O St, Lincoln). Poetry and music. (fourth Thursday)

  • 4/23, Th-- CANCELED, Louder Than a Bomb: Great Plains Team Finals In the Scott Recital Hall (Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St, Omaha). High schools and junior high schools compete using poems in an exciting competition. $10 suggested donation, open to the public. See the full schedule at www.ltabgreatplains.org/schedule.

  • 4/24, F-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry Night at Espresso Shoppe by Caravan (419 North Dewey St, North Platte). 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).

  • 4/24, F-- CANCELED, Bibliophilia: An Evening of Poetry and Camaraderie at KANEKO-UNO Library (12th and Jones St, Omaha). Join us for an evening of creative fun and exploration as local poets share their work! This event is free and open to the public. Hosted by Todd Robinson and KANEKO-UNO Library. See more at the Facebook Event page.

  • 4/25, Sa-- CANCELED, Omaha Writers Group at Petshop Gallery (2725 N 62nd St, Omaha). A weekly writing workshop open to the public. Bring your work and bring your friends. Every week, Gen provides coffee, snacks, and writing exercises. (every Saturday)

  • 4/25, Sa-- CANCELED, Gratitude Café Writer's Night at the Gratitude Café & Bakery (1551 N. Cotner, Lincoln). The only prime time weekend writer's night in town, with a featured reading, open mic and discussion for poets, novelists, and short story writers. (4th Saturday).

  • 4/25, Sa-- CANCELED, the Plainsongs magazine 40th anniversary celebration at the Lark (809 W 2nd St, Hastings), featuring live music, poetry readings by Plainsongs editors and contributors, an address by former editor Laura Marvel-Wunderlich, and an HC Press table with books and journals for sale. The event is free and open to the public.

  • 4/26, Su-- CANCELED, A Sunday Kind of Love: R&B and Poetry Open Mic Le Ventre: A Collaborative Space by The Dopest Art (1226 South 20th Street, Omaha). Hosted by Jus B For questions and inquiries about performing or being involved please contact Angela at: thedopestart@gmail.com or by messaging Le Ventre. (last Sunday)

  • 4/27, M-- CANCELED, Open Mic at the Moon, at Crescent Moon Coffee (140 N 8th St #10 Lower Level, Lincoln) hosted by Jeff Martinson. For more information, contact crescentmoon@inebraska.com and check www.crescentmooncoffee.com/. (every Monday)

  • 4/28, Tu-- CANCELED, N. O. W. Group (North Omaha Writer's Group) at the Florence Branch Library (2920 Bondesson St, Omaha). This is a new group open to new members, so come join. This group will be for Poets, Fiction and Screenplay writers 19 yrs of age and up. Organized by Lillian Armstrong. Free. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/28, Tu-- CANCELED, Open Mic at Brokedown Palace (8805 Maple St, Omaha). 21 and over. (every Tuesday)

  • 4/29, W-- CANCELED, Nebraska Writers Workshop at the Ralston Baright Public Library Meeting Room (5555 S 77th St, Ralston). Free! 5:30pm Teens ONLY, 6pm Poetry, 6:30pm Scripting (Stage & Film), 7pm Fiction & Readings for feedback. Facilitated by Sally J. Walker. See full details at: www.nebraskawritersworkshop.info. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/29, W-- CANCELED, Aly Peeler Open Mic at the Down Under (3530 Leavenworth St, Omaha). Open to poets, musicians, and more. Free! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/29, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic Poetry and Music at Meadowlark Coffee and Espresso (1624 South St, Lincoln). Signup at 7:30. See more at www.meadowlarkcoffee.org. (every Wednesday)

  • 4/29, W-- CANCELED, Lincoln Open Mic Night at Night Owl Pub (3233 S. 13th St, Lincoln). Poetry and music! (every Wednesday)

  • 4/29, W-- CANCELED, Open Mic at American Dream (Lower Level, 7402 F St, Omaha). Poets, Comedians, whoever. American Dream is Omaha's only multi venue with a hangout bar, music hall, showgirl/stripclub, outside concert garden, and more. (every Wednesday)

Coming Up:
  • 5/3/20, Su-- CANCELED, Story Jam at the Holland Performing Arts Center (Scott Recital Hall, 1200 Douglas St, Omaha). Omaha Public Library and Omaha Performing Arts will partner to present this first-time storytelling and music event. Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason will serve as emcee. Illustrating the power of story through music, featured storytellers will have five minutes to tell a story that will be accompanied by local musicians.

  • 6/12-13/20, F-Sa-- CANCELED, The 24th annual Buffalo Commons Storytelling and Music Festival in McCook, NE. Information at buffalocommons.org.

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Last update: April 23rd, 2021

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