At 8:00 PM, the Omaha Healing Arts Center (1216 Howard, Omaha), home of the 2003 National Poetry Slam semi-finalist Omaha team. It's the longest-running slam in Omaha often featuring some of the best performance poets in the nation. Tonight is an evening of remembrance and politics featuring Nat Derickson and Sarah McKinstry-Brown. Open mic starts at 8:00 followed by the features and the slam. Hosted by Matt Mason. $5 suggested donation. Call 345-5078 or go to OmahaSlam.com for more information.

International Day of Poetry -
Poets Against War
September 11, 2004

This poetry reading will take place at 2:00 PM in the Gallery at the Antiquarium Bookstore (1215 Harney Street, Omaha). The organizer's say this event will be "sans political rhetoric - not that there's anything particularly wrong with it - poetry just has so many more dimensions than a party platform!" For more information, contact the organizers at tntallen@iowatelecom.net.

Plum Creek Children's Literacy Festival
September 16-17, 2004

The festival is a three-day event designed to foster interaction with nationally known authors and illustrators of children's books. In 2003, the festival served 4,200 children and adults. This year's festival takes place on September 16-17 on the campus of Concordia College in Lincoln. To learn more about the festival, go to http://www.cune.edu/plumcreek/default.htm.

Nebraska Book Festival
September 17-18, 2004

The University of Nebraska at Kearney, along with the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Humanities Council, will host the Thirteenth Annual Nebraska Book Festival. Two full days of activities are scheduled, including a day for high school students on Friday, a reception and movie Friday evening, and a diverse selection of activities, presentations, workshops, and readings throughout the day and evening on Saturday. All activities are FREE to the public (except for the meal at the noon luncheon). For more information, go to http://www.nebraskabookfestival.org.

PlainSong Festival 2004
October 2, 2004

The PlainSong Festival is a day-long (noon-?) gathering at the Olive Creek Orchard (5 miles south of Hickman, NE, on S. 68th, Lincoln), filled with music and song, and poetry! The organizers promise a dynamite lineup of musicians, both local and national as well as hayrack rides, a petting zoo for the kids, music all day, dance, poetry (Nebraska State poet William Kloefkorn headlines the list), a writing workshop (contact Rex Walton at jwalton@neb.rr.com ), a musicians' workshop with John McCutcheon, an amazin' maze, apple-picking, and more. Headlining the musical side of the event is nationally renowned folk musician John McCutcheon! .

For more information about other literary events and readings taking place throughout Nebraska, visit The Poetry Menu at http://www.poetrymenu.com.

Nebraska Center for Writers