First Fridays 11 pm: Mind's Eye Radio: Madison area poets and writers rant, rave and reminisce on a new topic each month; airs on WORT, 89.9 FM. www.mindseyeaudio.com

Thursday nights 7 pm: Radio Literature: Show with local poets, writers and guest readers airs on WORT, 89.9 FM. www.wort-fm.org

August

8/21, Saturday, 7 pm: Urban Spoken Word. Slam and open mike. Genna's Lounge, Main St. on the Capitol Square. For information, David Hart: 239.0921 or dahiii@hotmail.com.

8/27, Friday, 7:30: Crosshatxh Poetry Series features Dasha Kelly, Jesse Lee Kercheval, Tim Kloss,and Emily Dickinson (yes, Emily Dickinson). At the Project Lodge, 817 E Johnson St. Suggested donation of $3. Contact Laurel at 414-241-3884 for more information, or visit crosshatxh.blogspot.com. Crosshatxh is a monthly reading showcasing poets of tremendous talent, regardless of style, publications, or degree status, generational affiliation or profession or original language. It shakes out boundaries between academy and community in favor of artistic integrity. In addition to the best performance poets, laureates, and sonneteers it features gh...osts of dead writers who rise to laud and poets who just finished serving time, and whose work demands lauding. And it rocks. Join us at the X.

September

9/2, Thurs. 7 pm: First Thursday Open Mike Poetry Reading. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

9/9, Thursday, 7 pm: UW Student & member of First Wave Hip-Hop Theatre Ensemble, Marion Eric Lima, reads from his new chapbook, along with Dakota Alcantara-Camacho and Marne Bruckner. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

9/9–12, American Haiku Festival Scheduled: You can write haiku poetry in English. Join haikuists from the U.S. and Canada for their Second Annual Cradle of American Haiku Festival, at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 10, to 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 12, at Foundry Books, 105 Commerce St., Mineral Point. The festival is open to the public, and beginning and experienced haikuists are welcome. Haiku is a short, Japanese poetic form of usually three lines and about 17 syllables. It is thoughtful, imagist poetry, (often inspired by nature), and it captures the moment. The festival will include several workshops and presentations on the form and art of haiku/related Japanese poetic forms, readings of haiku, and Japanese art. This year’s theme is “Remembering Robert Spiess—His Life and Work.” Spiess was a longtime Madison haikuist and author, and former editor of “Modern Haiku,” an international journal of haiku and haiku studies. The festival will also feature an opening reception; a “Kukai,” a peer-reviewed haiku contest on the theme “Transitions;” Tai Chi, meditative exercises; a presentation on “Kodo,” Japanese incense; mini-critique sessions with award-winning poets and publishers; a social with cocktails and Midwest style picnic/tailgate; and a “ginkgo” walk to observe nature and write haiku. Haikuists may also participate in a sale of books they’ve authored. At the festival, The Haiku Society of America will hold its annual national quarterly meeting to which the public is invited. However, the HSA is not sponsoring the festival. Southwest Wisconsin is the birthplace of American haiku. Mineral Point is a scenic town of 19th century architecture, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, located in the region’s hills. It is about a 45- minute drive from Madison. The cost of the festival is $30 which includes workshops, all activities, reception, and picnic. For more information, with a schedule of events and lodging options, contact Charlotte Digregorio, Midwest Regional Coordinator, The Haiku Society of America, at email cvpress@yahoo.com or by phone at 847-881-2664.

9/10, Friday, 7:30 pm: Monsters of Poetry presents: KEETJE KUIPERS, MATTHEW GUENETTE, JAMES CREWS, & C.E. PERRY! Live, The Project Lodge, 817 E. Johnson, Madison. $3 dollar suggested donation. It gets you one raffle ticket! BYOB. Pre-Party starting at 5 pm at Mickey's Tavern.

9/10, Friday, 7:30 pm: Poetry Open Mike. At the Village Booksmith in downtown Baraboo, 526 Oak St., on the square across from the cannon. For info call 355-1001.

September 24–25 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. The Lorine Niedecker Wisconsin Poetry Festival will include workshops, poetry readings, presentations, opportunities to meet publishers and pick up the latest poetry buzz. Two workshops will be held; “Write Like a Poet: Tricks Poets Can Teach Every Writer” and a writers workshop on Blackhawk Island at the cabin of Lorine Niedecker. The Council for Wisconsin Writers Lorine Niedecker Poetry Award winner, Angela Sorby and other invited poets will read during an evening event, “Wisconsin Poetry.” A schedule is posted at lorineniedecker.org. For more information about the Poetry Festival, contact Ann Engelman 920-563-0416 or Amy Lutzke 920-563-7790.

WISCONSIN BOOK FESTIVAL, MADISON, SEPTEMBER 29–OCTOBER 3
http://www.wisconsinbookfestival.org/

9/26, Sunday, 2 pm: Poetry reading celebrating 20 years of publishing by "Hummingbird: Magazine of the Short Poem," and its editor, poet Phyllis Walsh. Q & A to follow the reading. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

9/30, Thursday, 5:30 pm: COLD READ, an extemporaneous Polaroid-and-typewriter performance with photographer Tom Ferella was part of the "Word Play" show at the Kohler Art Museum in Sheboygan. A COLD READ exhibit opening with refreshments and a short talk, in conjunction with the WI Book Festival. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

9/30, Thursday, 6:30 pm: A reading with Verse Wisconsin co-editors, Sarah Busse & Wendy Vardaman, & Wisconsin poets Karl Elder, Fabu, Susan Firer, Max Garland, Derrick Harriell & John Koethe on “Belief” will be held. Issue 104 will be available early, at the Book Festival. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

October

10/1, Friday, 5:30 pm: Winners of the Wisconsin People & Ideas poetry and fiction contest read, as part of the Wisconsin Book Festival. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.

10/7, Thursday, 7 pm: First Thursday Open Mike Poetry Reading. Avol's Bookstore, 315 W. Gorham. 255-4730 for info.