Plenty of Poets in Minneapolis

When you think of poetry do you see hippie girls with bongo reciting some ethereal work in a back alley coffee shop? I would hope not, because in Minneapolis, MN named 2008's most literary city, poetry shines -- and no brighter than in April, National Poetry Month. While it's impossible to hit on all the poetry events of National Poetry Month in Minneapolis, I'll try to hit on a diverse selection. You may find that even if you don't think you like poetry there's something for you.

Let me begin with events hosted by the Hennepin County Libraries. National Poetry Month kicks off with Robert Burns at the Central Library in Downtown Minneapolis. Thursday, April 2, 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is an event cosponsored by the Twin Cities Scottish Society and promises to include pipes, song dance and kilts as well as poetry. No room for boredom here.

For those with youngsters with a touch of the muse, you can nurture your budding bardlet at the Southdale Library Saturday, April 4, 2-3 p.m. as part of Science and Nature Poetry for kids in grades 3-5. Or for a try at the quill yourself there's First Pages: No Fear, No Rhyme Poetry for beginning poets on Monday April 6, 7:00 p.m. at the Eden Prairie Library. On April 20^th, 7 p.m. also at the Eden Prairie Library you can try your hand at Open Mike night hosted by local poet Polly Carden and be entered into a prize drawing.

If you just want to sit back and listen, head to the Edina library on Saturday, April 18^th from 2-4 p.m. Eight poets from Diamond Lake Poets will read their poems for National Poetry Month.

Of course, the library isn't the only place to enjoy poetry. Minneapolis is home to The Loft Literary Center, and there are plenty of events they will be hosting this April. On the 8^th, Jude Nutter will read from her collection, I Wish I Had a Heart Like Yours, Walt Whitman at the Open Book.

On Friday April 10^th enjoy the Equilibrium Spoken Word &Hip Hop Show. Most of the time this is held at the Loft, but this particular show, featuring Jenni Le andSarah Nguyen is being held on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus at Weisman Art Museum. The next morning at 10 a.m. the two bring it back to The Loft for an impromptu class for teens.

On Friday April 17^th The Loft is sponsoring two events. At The Open Book, enjoy a publication reading of Language for the New Century: Contemporary Poetry from the Middle East, Asia & Beyond by editors Tina Chang and Ravi Shankar at 7:00. Unfortunately, it overlaps with the 7:30 p.m. event at Magers and Quinn Booksellers in Uptown Joshua Beckman will read from his new collection, Take It. Among his many honors is a finalist spot for the PEN America Poetry in Translation Award. He is also the recipient of numerous other awards, including a NYFA fellowship and a Pushcart Prize. Tough choice.

If that's not enough, there's yet another option to get your poetry fix in April at Kieran's Irish Pub in downtown Minneapolis, home of the Minneapolis Poetry Slams. On the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of every month (not just April) Kieran's hosts competitive poetry. Poets recite three minutes of their best stuff and face the wrath of randomly selected judges from the audience. It's normally a little on the edgy side, a definitely blows the hippie girl with the bongos out of the water.

http://www.supporthclib.org/events.html

http://www.loft.org

http://www.slammn.org/TheBasics.html