APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH! Celebrate accordingly by buying poetry books, going to poetry events, supporting poets, and more!

4/17, Th-- 5:30 and 7:30pm, All Writes Reserved Semi-Finals Bouts at Benson Theatre (6054 Maple St, Omaha). See more at: newriters.org/events.

4/17, Th-- 7pm, Cowboy Poet Jake Riley reads at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Free and open to the public, full information at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156158.

4/17, Th-- 7-9pm, Vocal Fry, a monthly spoken word open mic at The Union for Contemporary Art in the The Shirley Tyree Theater (2423 N 24th St, Omaha). Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. Doors open at 6 with performances starting at 7. No registration is required. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 5/15, 6/19, 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, etc.

4/21, M-- 6:30-8pm, Poetry Reading with Debra Marquart at the Council Bluffs Public Library (400 Willow Ave, Council Bluffs, IA). Help us celebrate National Poetry Month as we host Debra Marquart as she performs her poetry and storytelling. Marquart is a Distinguished Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University and Iowa’s former Poet Laureate. See more at: councilbluffslibrary.org/event/poetry-reading-debra-marquart-16271.

4/23, W-- 12-1pm, Treasures from the UNK Archives with Laurinda Weisse at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Discover the poetry treasures that are housed at the Calvin T. Ryan Library at UNK. Expert guide Laurinda Weisse will share about poetry gems she has discovered in the UNK Archives. Free and open to the public, full information at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156166.

4/23, W-- 7-8pm, An evening of poetry, performance, and inspiration celebrating National Poetry Month and welcoming Nebraska's newly-appointed State Poet, Jewel Rodgers at Metropolitan Community College (Fort Omaha Campus, Building 22, Swanson Conference Center). Jewel will be joined by special guest artists for a series of live spoken word performances that will move, challenge, and uplift you. This free event is open to the public, RSVP to events@mccneb.edu with your name and the number of guests.

4/27, Su-- 2-4pm, Cathedral Parish Center Poetry event at St. Cecilia's Parrish Center (Corner of 39th and Burt Sts). Open mic, live music, refreshments. Any theme, celebrate national Poetry month with your own original work or poetry by a favorite author. Listeners welcome. More info, contact Marc Talkington: poetsbuddy@gmail.com or call or text 531-777-2665.

4/29, Tu-- 7pm, All Writes Reserved Finals at the Holland Center (1200 Douglas St, Omaha). See more at: newriters.org/events.

4/29, Tu-- 6pm, Poetry Reception: Celebrating the Don Welch Poetry Collection at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Join us for a short reception to showcase the poetry of Don Welch on display at the Kearney Public Library. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public, full information at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=179684.

4/29, Tu-- 7pm, Poetry Reading with Brad Modlin at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Free and open to the public, full information at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=156358.

4/30, W-- 4pm, The Northeast Community College English Department's Visiting Writers Series hosts poet Jim Daniels in the Union 73 Coffee Shop (NECC campus, Norfolk). Jim Daniels has authored over thirty collections of poetry, seven collections of fiction, four produced screenplays, and his collection of essays, An Ignorance of Trees, is forthcoming from Cornerstone Press in 2025. His work has been published in The Best American Poetry and Pushcart Prize volumes. During his long career, he has warmed up for singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams at the Three Rivers Arts Festival, read poems at a Jamestown Jammers AA baseball game, had his poem "Factory Love" displayed on a race car, and sent poetry to the moon soon as part of the Moon Arts Project.

5/1, Th-- 7pm, Verse & Vibes open mic night at Indigo Cottage Crafts (2063 Creekside Dr, Papillion). This event is sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society, doors open at 6:30, free and open to all. (1st Thursday)
Next events: 6/5, 7/3, 8/7, 9/4, etc.

5/2, F-- Noon, First Friday Book Talk and Reading through Larksong Writers Place but on Zoom. Register at: larksongwritersplace.org. Free, registration required.
5/2, TBA

5/2, F-- 6pm, Toddfather and Friends at Pageturners Lounge (5004 Dodge St, Omaha). Featuring Todd Robinson and others.

5/6: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents the Nebraska Poets Reading Series at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. See details at: nepoetrysociety.org/readings. Events are online, free and open to the public:
5/6, Jeff Alessandrelli
6/3, John Brehm

5/8, Th-- Noon-2:30pm, poet Bruce Whitacre leads a Writing Workshop at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). The workshop title is "Lies and Evasions: How Subtext Increases Reader Engagement in Every Genre of Writing." Registration required, lunch included. You can register for the workshop at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=179673. $15.

5/8, Th-- 7-9pm, The Lincoln Poetry Slam at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 6/12, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11, etc.

5/8, Th-- 7pm, Resonance Beat Poetry Jam at Razor Wire Productions Art Gallery & Tattoo (1808 Vinton St, Omaha). Wanna try your hand at pairing your writing with music? Or maybe you've just never had the sublime experience of hearing the fusion? Either way, we would like to invite you! Named The Resonance for the beautiful ways these artforms play off one another. Sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 6/12, 7/10, 8/14, 9/11, etc.

5/9, F-- 6-8pm, Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic at St Mark's on the Campus (1309 R St, Lincoln). Each event has a featured reader from 6-7:30pm and open mic in any remaining time up to 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. See full details at: sites.google.com/view/smoc-lion/the-lion. (2nd Friday)
5/9, Julie S. Paschold
6/13, Jewel Rodgers

5/10, Sa-- 6:30-10pm, Detox Sober Lounge presents Therapy Session Poetry and Live Music Night "Down But Not Defeated" at Sozo Coffeehouse (1314 Jones St, Omaha). Join us for a poetry experience like no other—where sobriety, healing, and artistry collide. This is more than a show—it’s a safe space for emotional release, creative expression, and connection with community. Expect a night filled with Spoken word performances, Vendor Lounge, Live music artists, Crafted mocktails, Sound bowl meditation and more. $15. Limited seats. Register and get more information at eventbrite.com/e/therapy-session-poetry-and-live-music-night-down-but-not-defeated-tickets-1307170124029.

5/10, Sa-- 7-9pm, The Omaha Poetry Slam at The Local Art Plug (1722 St Mary's Ave, Omaha). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Saturday)
Next events: 6/14, 7/12, 8/9, 9/13, etc.

5/13, Tu-- Noon-2pm,poet Sarah McKinstry-Brown leads a Writing Workshop at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Registration required, lunch included. You can register for the workshop at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=179680. $15.

5/13, Tu-- 7pm, Poetry Reading with Sarah McKinstry-Brown at the Kearney Public Library (2020 1st Ave, Kearney NE 68847). Free and open to the public, full information at: https://kearney.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=179683.

5/15 Th-- 7-9pm, Vocal Fry, a monthly spoken word open mic at The Union for Contemporary Art in the The Shirley Tyree Theater (2423 N 24th St, Omaha). Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. Doors open at 6 with performances starting at 7. No registration is required. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 6/19, 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, etc.

5/17, Sa-- 10am: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents online writing workshops on different topics, led by some wonderful poets on a Saturday each month. $35 or free to members. For more information and to register, go to: nepoetrysociety.org/workshops:
5/17:Kiara Nicole Letcher: The Others
5/31: Anastacia Renee, Poetry Meets Memoir
6/14: Matt Mason: Playlist-Turning Songs Into Poetry

5/31, Sa-- 10am: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents online writing workshops on different topics, led by some wonderful poets on a Saturday each month. $35 or free to members. For more information and to register, go to: nepoetrysociety.org/workshops:
5/31: Anastacia Renee, Poetry Meets Memoir
6/14: Matt Mason: Playlist-Turning Songs Into Poetry

6/3: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents the Nebraska Poets Reading Series at 6:30pm on the first Tuesday of the month. See details at: nepoetrysociety.org/readings. Events are online, free and open to the public:
6/3, John Brehm
7/1, Hadara Bar-Nadav
8/5, Janice N. Harrington
9/2, Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers

6/5, Th-- 7pm, Verse & Vibes open mic night at Indigo Cottage Crafts (2063 Creekside Dr, Papillion). This event is sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society, doors open at 6:30, free and open to all. (1st Thursday)
Next events: 7/3, 8/7, 9/4, etc.

6/6, F-- Noon, First Friday Book Talk and Reading through Larksong Writers Place but on Zoom. Register at: larksongwritersplace.org. Free, registration required.
6/6, TBA

6/12, Th-- 7-9pm, The Lincoln Poetry Slam at Larksong Writers Place (1600 N Cotner Blvd, Lincoln). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 7/10, 8/14, 9/11, etc.

6/12, Th-- 7pm, Resonance Beat Poetry Jam at Razor Wire Productions Art Gallery & Tattoo (1808 Vinton St, Omaha). Wanna try your hand at pairing your writing with music? Or maybe you've just never had the sublime experience of hearing the fusion? Either way, we would like to invite you! Named The Resonance for the beautiful ways these artforms play off one another. Sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society. (2nd Thursday)
Next events: 7/10, 8/14, 9/11, etc.

6/13, F-- 6-8pm, Poetry Readings at The Lion: a Poetry Feature and Open Mic at St Mark's on the Campus (1309 R St, Lincoln). Each event has a featured reader from 6-7:30pm and open mic in any remaining time up to 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. See full details at: sites.google.com/view/smoc-lion/the-lion. (2nd Friday)
6/13, Jewel Rodgers
7/11, 8/8, 9/12 TBA

6/14, Sa-- 10am: The Nebraska Poetry Society presents online writing workshops on different topics, led by some wonderful poets on a Saturday each month. $35 or free to members. For more information and to register, go to: nepoetrysociety.org/workshops:
6/14: Matt Mason: Playlist-Turning Songs Into Poetry

6/14, Sa-- 7-9pm, The Omaha Poetry Slam at The Local Art Plug (1722 St Mary's Ave, Omaha). 6:30 doors, 7:00 show. See details at the Facebook Event Page. Sponsored by the Nebraska Writers Collective. (2nd Saturday)
Next events: 7/12, 8/9, 9/13, etc.

6/19 Th-- 7-9pm, Vocal Fry, a monthly spoken word open mic at The Union for Contemporary Art in the The Shirley Tyree Theater (2423 N 24th St, Omaha). Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. Doors open at 6 with performances starting at 7. No registration is required. (3rd Thursday)
Next events: 7/17, 8/21, 9/18, etc.