May 2009

POETRY CALENDAR (updated 5-4-09)
This calendar is a day-by-day listing of poetry readings, meetings and classes in central Indiana, with a few other literary events that might be of interest to poets. Note: Events frequently change or are dropped without notifying me. If possible, please call to confirm the event. I cannot be held responsible for incorrect information. If you have an event, news, an opinion, or a correction, please send it to jl.kato@sbcglobal.net. There’s no charge to be listed. This calendar is updated as soon as possible after I'm notified, although such things as the day job, vacations, illnesses and naked procrastination might prevent me from being as prompt as I should be. Be sure to call to confirm the event.
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ONGOING EVENTS:
James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 3:30 p.m. Sundays. 528 Lockerbie St. $3, seniors $2, children 7-17 50 cents. 317-631-5885.

James Whitcomb Riley Old Home and Museum: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 250 W. Main St., Greenfield. $3.50, children 7 and older $1.25, younger children free with adult. (317) 477-4340. Birthplace and boyhood home of the poet.

National Art Museum of Sport: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 850 W. Michigan St. Free. (317) 274-3627. Sporting Words:Exhibit of National Art Museum of Sport paintings with poems written about them by eight Central Indiana poets: Phoenix Cole, Ruthelen Griffith Burns, Barry Harris, Joseph Heithaus, JL Kato, James Murdock, Michael Strosahl and the 2003-07 Indiana poet laureate, Joyce Brinkman. Through Dec. 31. (317) 274-3627 or www.namos.iupui.edu/Exhibits.html.
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FRIDAY, MAY 1
The Midwest Writers Fellowships will convene for its fifth Writers Retreat. The two-day retreat will host nine writers -- three general fiction, three mystery and three nonfiction -- who can revise manuscripts under the direction of three veteran writing coaches.The fellowships will pay the writers’ retreat costs, other than travel and incidental expenses. To participate, writers are to submit approximately 1,000 words from their work in progress together with a one-page synopsis to Midwest Writers Workshop at the Department of Journalism, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306. Entries must be postmarked by March 14. Winners will be announced Saturday, April 4. Winners of the fellowships are to arrive at the retreat with at least 20 pages of their work in progress and laptop computers. Information is also on web site http://www.midwestwriters.org/.

SATURDAY, MAY 2
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Developing & Publishing Your Nonfiction Book. Instructor: Nancy Baxter. Site: Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just northwest of the Indianapolis Arts Center, in the Cultural Arts Complex. Cost: $35 members/$50 nonmembers/$25 teachers, students with valid ID & seniors (over 60). This interactive workshop will provide strategies in developing, researching, and scoping out your nonfiction idea; developing your manuscript; and the road to publication. Participants will be asked to submit a description of their idea before the workshop so that the instructor will be prepared to discuss it on that day. (Details for submission provided upon registration.) Limited to 12 participants. Bring a sack lunch. 317-255-0710 or http://www.indianawriters.org/.

11:46 a.m. The Poets Weave on WFIU-FM (103.7), Bloomington. www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/poetsweave.htm.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday in Room 201 in Bracken Library of Ball State University, Muncie. Parking is free in the garage east of the library. When the library is closed during BSU breaks, the alternative location will be the MT Cup on University Avenue. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net, 765-749-0731.

4 p.m. Art of the Matter on WFYI-FM (90.1) www.wfyi.org/artOfTheMatter.asp.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spoke N Heard open mic at The Griot Village Community Center, 6228 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis. $5. Every Saturday. 317-295-1111.

SUNDAY, MAY 3
11 a.m. Indy Artists' Peace Project: A Sunday "Arts" Class & Bake Sale at at First Mennonite Church, 4601 Knollton Road. Indianapolis. As part of an ongoing series of Peace & Justice-related classes at First Mennonite Church, this Sunday the Indy Artist' Peace Project will present an hourlong class featuring poetry readings from Shari Wagner and Jeff Matheus, as well as a Q&A session with Jeff & Michelle Gussow on promoting peace through the arts, as well as the future plans of the IAPP. There will also be baked goods sold before and after the class, with all funds raised going towards current IAPP projects. This class is free and open to the public.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Renga Party. Instructor: Hannah Haas. Site: Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just northwest of the Indianapolis Arts Center, in the Cultural Arts Complex. Cost: $20 members/$30 nonmembers/$15 teachers, students with valid ID & seniors (over 60); special family rate: $10 per person for members, $15 per person for nonmembers. Renga, or "linked poem," has been popular for more than 700 years. In writing renga, groups of poets take turns composing alternating three-line and two-line stanzas, often about the seasons, nature, and love. (The haiku form evolved from the three-line opening stanza of the renga.) A short instructional session on the renga is followed by writing a contemporary version of this collaborative form during a walk through the Indianapolis Art Center's gardens. No previous poetry writing experience is necessary. 317-255-0710 or http://www.indianawriters.org/.

5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. A Cycle of Poets on WFHB-FM (91.3 and 98.3), Bloomington.

7 p.m. WordSmiffs open mike at Mo'Joe Coffeehouse, 222 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis. Every first Sunday. For poetry and live music. $7 ($5 for open-mike participants.) Every first Sunday of the month. 317-250-6597.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. SpokenSoulFood Sundays at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. $5 cover. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

MONDAY, MAY 4
7 p.m. Columbus Open Mic Poetry and Slam. Zwanzigz Pizza, 1038 Lafayette Ave., Columbus. First Monday of the month. Host: Matthew Jackson, 812-343-8711. For more info, visit this Facebook page

TUESDAY, MAY 5
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. An open mic at Books on Sale, 4200 S. East St., Indianapolis (in the southwest corner of Southern Plaza) welcomes poets. Host Pete Brown will record performances for a $10 charge that will cover the cost of CD given at the end of the night. For info: http://www.booksonsale.org/.

8 p.m. Poetry Salon, an evening of conversation and critique, led by Richard Pflum. 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just west of the Indianapolis Art Center. Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bring copies of original poetry for feedback. 317-356-2048 or drahcir@indy.net.

9 p.m. Vocab at the Casba, 6319 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis. 317-251-3138. Every first Tuesday of the month.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Introduction to Fiction Writing Workshop. Instructor: Debbie Steiman-Cameron. First of four Wednesday evening classes. Site: Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just northwest of the Indianapolis Arts Center, in the Cultural Arts Complex. Cost: $80 members/$120 nonmembers/$60 teachers, students with valid ID & seniors (over 60). Do you feel you've been writing in a vacuum? Do you have short stories or a novel in progress that need feedback? Have you heard about writing workshops and writing groups, but feared taking the plunge? This is an entry-level writers' workshop for fiction writers of all genres. Each student will submit at least one piece of work to be critiqued during the workshop and will be responsible for critiquing submitted manuscripts from other workshop attendees. While respecting the individual style and intent of the writer, work will be critiqued for specific issues such as word choice and clarity, as well as global issues such as plot, character development, point of view and pacing. The workshop will also include in-class writing exercises, as time permits. NOTE: Submissions are limited to 18 pages of manuscript (12 pt font, one and a half inch margins, and double spaced.) If you submit an excerpt of a longer work, a brief synopsis MUST be included. Anyone who has a submission ready is encouraged to bring eight copies to the first session.Class limited to seven students. 317-255-0710 or http://www.indianawriters.org/.

8 p.m. Living Room Lounge, 934 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. An open format for poets and spoken-work artists. Wednesday drink specials at this smoking venue for ages 21 and older. 317-635-0361.

THURSDAY, MAY 7
6:30 p.m. Poetry on Brick Street presents Bonnie Mauer, followed by an open mic at G. Simone's Cafe, 120 S. Main St., Zionsville. Free. For information, call Barry Harris at 317-733-1811 or Susan Miller at 317-587-1438, or send an email to poetryonbrickstreet@cyberroad.com. Every first Thursday of the month. Bonnie Maurer has an MFA from Indiana University and is the author of Ms Lily Jane Babbitt Before the Ten O’clock Bus from Memphis Ran Over Her, (Raintree Press), Old 37: The Mason Cows (Barnwood Press) and Bloodletting: A Ritual Poem for Women’s Voices (Ink Press). Awarded a Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship by the Arts Council of Indianapolis in 2000, Maurer wrote The Reconfigured Goddess, Poems of a Breast Cancer Survivor. She works as a poet for Young Audiences of Indiana, as a copy editor for the Indianapolis Business Journal and as an ai chi (aquatic flowing energy) instructor. She has just released another book, Reconfigured, published by Finishing Line Press.

FRIDAY, MAY 8
7:30 p.m. Open Mic Night for Poetry & Music in the Underground 9 Studio at Bookmamas, 9 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis. Free. Every second Friday of the month.

SATURDAY, MAY 9
10 a.m. to noon Coffee Talk With Lara Anderson at the Simply Sweet Shoppe, 30 N. Range Line Road, Carmel. $12 for members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, $15 for nonmembers. Written critiques of manucripts available for $40. For details, e-mail Trish Batey at prbatey@sbcglobal.net.

11:46 a.m. The Poets Weave on WFIU-FM (103.7), Bloomington. www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/poetsweave.htm.

2 p.m. Members of the Airpoets (poets who had poems selected to become part of stained-glass windows by artist Martin Donlin at the new Indy airport) will be reading from their anthology Rivers, Rails, and Runways. Participating poets will be Norbert Krapf, Joyce Brinkman and Joseph Heithaus. At Bookmama's, 9 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday in Room 201 in Bracken Library of Ball State University, Muncie. Parking is free in the garage east of the library. When the library is closed during BSU breaks, the alternative location will be the MT Cup on University Avenue. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net, 765-749-0731.

4 p.m. Art of the Matter on WFYI-FM (90.1) www.wfyi.org/artOfTheMatter.asp.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spoke N Heard open mic at The Griot Village Community Center, 6228 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis. $5. Every Saturday. 317-295-1111.

SUNDAY, MAY 10
5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. A Cycle of Poets on WFHB-FM (91.3 and 98.3), Bloomington.

7 p.m. An Evening With the Muse presents Indiana Poet Laureate Norbert Krapf and an open mic, at the Writers' Center of Indiana, 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (in the Cultural Complex Center just west of the Indianapolis Arts Center). Host: Rohana McCormack, (317) 259-7900, rohanamccormack@sbcglobal.net. Every second Sunday of the month.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. SpokenSoulFood Sundays at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. $5 cover. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

TUESDAY, MAY 12
9 p.m. Vocab at the Casba, 6319 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis. 317-251-3138. Every first Tuesday of the month.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
6 p.m. Coffee, Tea & Poetry group meeting at Noble Coffee & Tea, 933 Logan St., Noblesville. Contact Marlene Million at 317-796-1874. Meets every second Wednesday of the month.

8 p.m. Living Room Lounge, 934 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. An open format for poets and spoken-work artists. Wednesday drink specials at this smoking venue for ages 21 and older. 317-635-0361.

FRIDAY, MAY 15
Fran Quinn poetry workshop May 15-17: http://www.franquinnworkshops.com/. Quinn also offers private tutoring. For details, e-mail him at admin@franquinnworkshops.com.

8 p.m. to 11 p.m. By the Book Entertainment presents The cYpher: Open Mic Night at Starbucks, 854 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis. Free. Every third Friday of the month. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. Bythebookent@gmail.com. For a video sample of the venue and poetry, click here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3603527697977159057&q=poet+indianapolis&ei=q-owSJePKpGm4QLZ9pTpCQ&hl=en*

SATURDAY, MAY 16
11:46 a.m. The Poets Weave on WFIU-FM (103.7), Bloomington. www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/poetsweave.htm.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday in Room 201 in Bracken Library of Ball State University, Muncie. Parking is free in the garage east of the library. When the library is closed during BSU breaks, the alternative location will be the MT Cup on University Avenue. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net, 765-749-0731.

4 p.m. Art of the Matter on WFYI-FM (90.1) www.wfyi.org/artOfTheMatter.asp.

VERIFY THIS! 7 p.m. Poetry in the Café, an open-mike reading sponsored by the Indiana State Federation of Poetry Clubs, at Barnes & Noble, 14709 U.S. 31 North, Westfield. Free, the third Saturday of every month. Host: Michael E. Strosahl, 765-425-7792.*

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spoke N Heard open mic at The Griot Village Community Center, 6228 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis. $5. Every Saturday. 317-295-1111.

9 p.m. Reservoir Dogwoods, a spoken-word quartet made up of Jason Ammerman, Tony Brewer, Matthew Jackson and Joseph Kerschbaum, will perform at The Verve, 677 Wabash Ave., Terre Haute. http://www.indianapoetrytour.com/.*

SUNDAY, MAY 17
5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. A Cycle of Poets on WFHB-FM (91.3 and 98.3), Bloomington.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. SpokenSoulFood Sundays at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. $5 cover. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

TUESDAY, MAY 19
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Central Indiana Writers' Association’s monthly meeting at Southport Branch Library, 2630 E. Stop 11 Road, Indianapolis. Program to be announced. Info: Shirley Martin at 317-791-7065 or Linda Gosnell at 317-781-0326.

7 p.m Inner Act, an open mic, at Cosmo Knight's Club, 3338 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis. Free. Must be 21 to enter. Host: Mijizaa yaa Soyini. For information, call 317-524-6951 or 317-925-6275 and ask for Allen. Every third Tuesday of the month.

8 p.m. Poetry Salon, an evening of conversation and critique, led by Richard Pflum. 812 E. 67th St., Indianapolis (just west of the Indianapolis Art Center. Meets the first and third Tuesday of the month. Bring copies of original poetry for feedback. 317-356-2048 or drahcir@indy.net.

9 p.m. Vocab at the Casba, 6319 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis. 317-251-3138. Every first Tuesday of the month.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
8 p.m. Living Room Lounge, 934 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. An open format for poets and spoken-work artists. Wednesday drink specials at this smoking venue for ages 21 and older. 317-635-0361.

THURSDAY, MAY 21
7 p.m. The MATRIX Poetry Slam at Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. Sign-up at 6:30. Entrants must have three three poems that must be under three minutes each. Appearing in the pre-slam: Jason McBeth + Michael Roberts aka Lightning Bug Romantics. Jason was runner-up at the 2008 Individual World Poetry Slam. He is currently the #2 ranked performance poet in the world. Michael is author of the Pushcart Prize-nominated collection No More Poems About The Moon (Write Bloody Publishing). This is the last slam until fall.

7 p.m. Poetry at the Grounds, an open reading at The Coffee Grounds, 423 Wabash St., Terre Haute. Every third Thursday of the month. (812) 238-9664.

FRIDAY, MAY 22
7 p.m. The Hart Rock Poetry and Open Mic Series. Theme: "Mother Words and More." Host: Patricia Coleman. Free. Rachael's Cafe, 300 E. Third St., Bloomington. Usually every fourth Friday (except July, August or when otherwise announced). poetry@hartrock.net.

SATURDAY, MAY 23
11:46 a.m. The Poets Weave on WFIU-FM (103.7), Bloomington. www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/poetsweave.htm.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday in Room 201 in Bracken Library of Ball State University, Muncie. Parking is free in the garage east of the library. When the library is closed during BSU breaks, the alternative location will be the MT Cup on University Avenue. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net, 765-749-0731.

4 p.m. Art of the Matter on WFYI-FM (90.1) www.wfyi.org/artOfTheMatter.asp.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spoke N Heard open mic at The Griot Village Community Center, 6228 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis. $5. Every Saturday. 317-295-1111.

SUNDAY, MAY 24
5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. A Cycle of Poets on WFHB-FM (91.3 and 98.3), Bloomington.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. SpokenSoulFood Sundays at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. $5 cover. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

TUESDAY, MAY 26
9 p.m. Vocab at the Casba, 6319 Guilford Ave., Indianapolis. 317-251-3138. Every first Tuesday of the month.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27
8 p.m. Poetry slam at Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis. $50 to the winner. Every fourth Wednesday of the month. Host: Jason Ammerman. $3 cover. 317-923-4707.

8 p.m. Living Room Lounge, 934 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. An open format for poets and spoken-work artists. Wednesday drink specials at this smoking venue for ages 21 and older. 317-635-0361.

THURSDAY, MAY 28
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Writers Speak Volumes! A poetry/prose-no-need-for-a-mic open reading will meet on the fourth Thursday of every month at Bookmama's, 9 S. Johnson Ave., Indianapolis (in Irvington across the street from Lazy Daze Coffee House). Host: Lylanne Musselman. Free. Participants can read their works, share a favorite poet or listen. lylanne22@yahoo.com. The voluntary prompts are rooster, wicked and parade.

FRIDAY, MAY 29
The Right Track Writing Workshop at the Artists' Colony Inn, Nashville, Ind. Join novelist and short-story writer Patricia Henley and poet Dana Roeser for three days of an advanced fiction an dpoetry workshops. http://www.therighttrackforwriters.com/. $20 discount for members of the Writers' Center of Indiana if registered by April 10.

SATURDAY, MAY 30
11:46 a.m. The Poets Weave on WFIU-FM (103.7), Bloomington. www.indiana.edu/~wfiu/poetsweave.htm.

2 p.m.-5 p.m. The Humpback Barn Poets meet every Saturday in Room 201 in Bracken Library of Ball State University, Muncie. Parking is free in the garage east of the library. When the library is closed during BSU breaks, the alternative location will be the MT Cup on University Avenue. Bring poems to share or simply come to discuss poetry. Contact Jeff Pearson jjopcelia@comcast.net, 765-749-0731.

4 p.m. Art of the Matter on WFYI-FM (90.1) www.wfyi.org/artOfTheMatter.asp.

7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spoke N Heard open mic at The Griot Village Community Center, 6228 La Pas Trail, Indianapolis. $5. Every Saturday. 317-295-1111.

SUNDAY, MAY 31
5:30 p.m.-6 p.m. A Cycle of Poets on WFHB-FM (91.3 and 98.3), Bloomington.

8 p.m.-11 p.m. SpokenSoulFood Sundays at Midtown Arts & Coffee Lounge, 519 E. 38th St. (just east of Central Avenue), Indianapolis. Host: aLLEN iMAGERY. $5 cover. 317-223-1288 or www.myspace.com/midtownartscoffee. Every Sunday.

Click here for the June 2009 calendar.