Calendar of events

Upcoming in 2014 |
Ongoing/Weekly/Monthly |
Previous events

Dates, locations, and times are subject to change. Some workshops or events may charge a fee. Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your event.

Upcoming in 2014

March

Various dates in March Louder Than a Bomb Preliminary Rounds Various locations, Omaha. Louder Than a Bomb is an annual teen poetry festival and competition based in Omaha and featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains. Louder Than a Bomb is one of the programs of the Nebraska Writers Collective, an Omaha-based literary education non-profit organization.
March 3 Read Across America Day Nationwide
March 3 V-Day with Author Tunette Powell 7:30 pm. Omaha, NE. A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer: Writings To End Violence Against Women & Girls is a free performance presented by EMPOWER and the WCA. Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.
March 6 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 11 am. Scottsbluff, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Jan Zwickl at 308-635-0263. Scottsbluff Senior Center, 1502 21st Ave.
March 6 Plains Writers Series 1 pm / 2 pm. Wayne, NE. With Sean Garner, Barbara Schmitz, Cat Dixon and Erik Campbell. For more information: wscpress (at) wsc.edu. In the second floor lounge in the Humanities Building at Wayne State College.
March 6 Wayne State College Poetry Slam XXXI 7:00 pm. Wayne, NE. Registration starts at 6:30 pm. If anyone would like to participate in the slam they will need 4 original poems and $5 for registration at the door. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by the WSC Press. For more information: wscpress (at) wsc.edu. At The Max Bar & Grill, 109 Main St.
March 6 & 7 Heartland Storytelling Festival Beatrice, NE. Contact Merrith Baughman at 402-223-3514 for details. At the Homestead National Monument.
March 7 Canteen Stories, Living History Presentations 12 pm. North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Local actors will be re-presenting their presentation from the 2011 Canteen Memories Cemetery Tour. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 8 Canteen Stories, Living History Presentations 2 pm. North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Local actors will be re-presenting their presentation from the 2011 Canteen Memories Cemetery Tour. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 9 Custer in Nebraska 2 pm. Bancroft, NE. A Sunday at the Museum program. author and historian Jeff Barnes will offer his newest presentation, "Custer in Nebraska: The Royal Buffalo Hunt of 1872." At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site, 306 W. Elm Street.
March 10 Writing Workshop with Sonya Renee 10 am - 12 noon. Benson, NE. free workshop for teens and adults. Benson Community Center, 6008 Maple St.
March 11 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 12 noon. Stromsburg, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Diana Johnson at 402-764-7681. Stromsburg Public Library, 320 Central St.
March 11 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion 2:30 pm. North Platte, NE. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 11 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion 7 pm. North Platte, NE. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 13 Humanities on the Edge 5:30 pm. Lincoln. "Immigration Reform and the Political Value of Manufactured Crises" -- public lecture by Cristina Rodriguez. At the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
March 14 Candy of the 1940s 12 pm. North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. WWII, rationing, and its effect on candy production. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 16 Candy of the 1940s 2 pm. North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. WWII, rationing, and its effect on candy production. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 16 By the Shores of Silver Lake Book Discussion 2 pm. Gering, NE. “By the Shores of Silver Lake” by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a part of Wilder’s popular “Little House on the Prairie” series. Wilder’s tales of early pioneer life have delighted generations of both children and adults. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. At Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail.
March 16 Desmond Egan, Irish Poet 2 pm. Bancroft, NE. A Sunday at the Museum program. Desmond Egan is recognized as one of Ireland's most distinguished poets, teaching literature and serving as poet-in-residence at University College in Dublin and creative director of the annual Gerard Manley Hopkins International Summer School. At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site, 306 W. Elm Street.
March 16 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 1:30 pm. Superior, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Mary Johnson at 402-879-4144 for more information. Nuckolls County Historical Society, 612 E 6th St.
March 16 Author Visit with Stephanie Grace Whitson 2 pm. Grand Island, NE. Whitson will discuss her Keepsake Legacies, Dakota Moon, and Quilt Chronicles series. Prairie Pioneer Quilters “quilt exhibit.” At Grand Island Public Library, 211 N. Washington St.; call 308-385-5333 for more information.
March 18 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization” 7 pm. Lincoln, NE. Yong Zhao is the author of more than 20 books, including “Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization” and “World Class Learners: Educating Creative and Entrepreneurial Students.” At the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th Street.
March 19 Paul A. Olson Seminars in Great Plains Studies 3:30 pm. Lincoln, NE. Speaker: Miguel Carranza, Professor of Sociology and Latina/Latino Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St.
March 20 30th Annual Adult Spelling Bee 7 pm. Lincoln, NE. The Bee will once again feature popular Emcee John Baylor and judges Kit Keller, John Keller, and Layne Pierce. Special Anniversary Celebrity Spellers will include Ted Kooser, Carol Connor, and Pat Leach. There is an entrance fee. There is a charge at the door. Social hour begins at 6 pm. For questions or entry forms, contact nlhaspellingbee (at) gmail.com, or 402-441-8516. A Nebraska Literary Heritage Association event. At The Single Barrel, 130 N. 10th St.
March 21 Uniforms of WWII 12 pm. North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. By Jim Griffin, Curator, Lincoln County Historical Museum Curator. At North Platte Public Library, 120 W. 4th St.
March 21 Mark Twain on the Lecture Circuit 2:30 pm. Grand Island, NE. Speaker: Wally A. Seiler. Contact Jody Powers at 308-382-3660 for more information. At the VA Medical Center, 2201 N. Broadwell.
March 21 Louder Than a Bomb Movie Screening 7 pm. Omaha, NE. Panelists: Director Greg Jacobs, Lamar Jorden, Matt Mason, others. Contact Matt Mason, mtmason(at)gmail.com, for more information. At KANEKO's KANEKO-UNO Library, 1111 Jones St.
March 22 Book Signing with Andy Myers 1 pm. Omaha. Myers will sign Flying Paint Rollers from Heaven: Messages of Hope, Humor and Love from Beyond. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
March 23 WhyArts? Poetry Event 4 pm. Omaha, NE. Feature reading by Chris August. Contact Matt Mason, mtmason(at)gmail.com, for more information. At KANEKO's KANEKO-UNO Library, 1111 Jones St.
March 23 The Untidy Season Book Release Party 5 pm. Omaha, NE. Come celebrate the release of The Untidy Season: An Anthology of Nebraska Women Poets. This anthology published by The Backwaters Press is a collection filled with poems by Nebraska female poets. At House of Loom, 1012 S. 10th St.
March 25 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 12 noon. Hershey, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Rich Mustion at 308-368-5555 for more information. Hershey Senior Center, 319 Lincoln Ave.
March 25 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 6 pm. Hershey, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Rich Mustion at 308-368-5555 for more information. Butch’s Steakhouse, 100 W 1st St.
March 25 From Society Page to Front Page: Unsung Women of the Nebraska Press 6:30 pm. Omaha, NE. In the 1880’s Nebraska’s women journalists included Willa Cather, a major suffragist publisher and a crusader for food safety. Since then, Nebraska has produced women White House correspondents, war correspondents, “Rosie the Reporters,” noted weekly editors, significant broadcasters and baby boomers who broke the barriers to the front page. Ask for a program tailored for your group. Contact: Cynthia Vana at 402-444-5398. At the Omaha Public Library-Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Lane.
March 26 Visiting Writers Series 7 pm. Norfolk, NE. With Charles Bowden and Molly Molloy, editors of El Sicario: The Autobiography of a Mexican Assassin. Hawks Landing, Northeast Community College. Contact Neil Harrison at neil (at) northeast.edu for more information.
March 29 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 2 pm. York, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Todd Kirshenbaum at 402-710-2840 for more information. Kilgore Memorial Library, 520 N. Nebraska Ave.
March 29 Book Signing with Marcia Calhoun Forecki 1 pm. Omaha. Forecki will sign Blood of the White Bear. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
March 30 John H. Ames Reading Series 2 pm. Lincoln, NE. Readings by Stephanie Grace Whitson, Karen Gettert Shoemaker, Helen Waring Johnson, Andrew Jewell, and Twyla Hansen. At the Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors, Bennett Martin Branch, Lincoln City Libraries, 136 S. 14th St.
March 31 Publishing and Marketing Workshop 7 pm. Plainview, NE. For writers and authors (or those aspiring to be). This inspiring and educational workshop will be presented by Nebraska author D. R. Haskin. Pre-register by March 25th by calling the Northeast Nebraska Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D)office at 402-582-4866. At the RC&D office, 702 E Park Ave.

April

April 2014 National Poetry Month
April 1 - 4 2014 Center for Great Plains Studies Symposium Lincoln, NE. Drought in the Life, Cultures and Landscapes of the Great Plains. Featuring Ian Frazier of The New Yorker.
April 1, 2 Louder Than a Bomb Preliminary Rounds Various locations, Omaha. Louder Than a Bomb is an annual teen poetry festival and competition based in Omaha and featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains. Louder Than a Bomb is one of the programs of the Nebraska Writers Collective, an Omaha-based literary education non-profit organization.
April 4 Read Aloud Nebraska - Rob Reid Workshop Seward, NE. Suggestions of good picture books, chapter books, biographies, and even graphic novels to read aloud to children (preschool through middle school grades). Read-aloud tips will be given and Rob will share his story about how he got hooked on the cause of reading aloud to young people. Also: Making Literature Com Alive through Storytelling session. At the Seward Memorial Library, 233 S. 5th St.
April 4 - 6 WillyCon Wayne, NE. Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention. With Chloe Neill and Arden Ellen Nixon. At the Student Center on the Wayne State College campus.
April 5 Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation’s Spring Banquet 6 pm. Elmwood, NE. Enjoy a plated meal and program by author Susan Dittman, who will share highlights from her book Abraham Lincoln’s Shining Star, The Inspiring Story of Abraham Lincoln and Nebraska. Awards will be presented to the winners of the annual short story contest and excerpts of the winning stories read. There is a cost. RSVP by calling 402-994-3855 by April 1st. At Elmwood Elementary School, 400 West F St.
April 5 Children Stories, Animal Stories and Traditional Lakota Stories 6:30 pm. Burwell, NE. Speaker: Jerome Kills Small. Contact Sara Sortum at 308-346-3393 for more information. Calamus Outfitters, 83518 Gracie Creek Ave.
April 6 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 2 pm. Kimball, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Janet Sears at 308-235-4523 for more information. Kimball Public Library, 208 S. Walnut St.
April 8 SlamNation Screening 7 pm. Omaha, NE. With a panel by a variety of poets who have represented multiple teams at the National Poetry Slam. Contact Matt Mason, mtmason(at)gmail.com, for more information. At KANEKO's KANEKO-UNO Library, 1111 Jones St.
April 9 Prairie Schooner Book Prize Celebration 7 pm. Lincoln, NE. Featuring Prairie Schooner Book Prize winners, Xhenet Aliu (fiction winner for Domesticated Wild Things) and Orlando Ricardo Menes (poetry winner for Fetish), with special performances by UNL's Photography and Music Composition departments. A reception with complimentary dessert will follow the event. At the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, 1523 N. 33rd St.
April 10 Humanities on the Edge 5:30 pm. Lincoln. "On Empty: The Cultural Politics of Oil" -- public lecture by Imre Szeman, author of Cultural Theory. At the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
April 10 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 7 pm. Bassett, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Erica Teel at 402-684-3800 for more information. Rock County Public Library, 400 State St.
April 11 - 12 Nebraska Writers Guild Spring Conference Ashland, NE. With Pilar Allesandra, Kelly O'Connor, C. Hope Clark, and Harley Jane Kozak. Spread the word with this poster. At Mahoney State Park.
April 12 Poetry Workshop Feat -- Louder Than a Bomb Artists Omaha. Bring your creativity and your interest in slam poetry! Join Nebraska Writers Collective's Louder Than a Bomb coaches and visiting artists to learn from the experts. These workshops will build to a friendly individuals competition sponsored by Omaha Public Library: the Teen Poetry Bash, with your original pieces performed in front of a live audience. At South Omaha Library, 2808 Q St.
April 13 By the Shores of Silver Lake Book Discussion 2 pm. Norfolk, NE. “By the Shores of Silver Lake” by Laura Ingalls Wilder is a part of Wilder’s popular “Little House on the Prairie” series. Wilder’s tales of early pioneer life have delighted generations of both children and adults. Discussion will be led by Blake Bell of the Homestead National Monument. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. Elkhorn Valley Museum, 515 Queen City Blvd.
April 15 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion 6:30 pm. Valley, NE. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. Contact Claire Bushong at cbushong (at) valley.omhcoxmail.com for more information. At Valley Public Library, 232 N Spruce St.
April 16 Visiting Writers Series 7 pm. Norfolk, NE. With Karen Shoemaker, author of The Meaning of Names. Hawks Landing, Northeast Community College. Contact Neil Harrison at neil (at) northeast.edu for more information.
April 17 Louder Than a Bomb Finals Omaha. Louder Than a Bomb is an annual teen poetry festival and competition based in Omaha and featuring schools from all over Nebraska and the Great Plains. Louder Than a Bomb is one of the programs of the Nebraska Writers Collective, an Omaha-based literary education non-profit organization. At the Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.
April 24 Poem in Your Pocket Day Nationwide. The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends.
April 25 & 26 Nebraska Book Festival Omaha, NE. Featuring Don Welch. At the UNO Thompson Alumni Center.
April 25-27 ConStellation 5 Lincoln, NE. SciFi/Anime/Gaming convention. With Carrie Vaughn, AB Word, and Daniel C. Nielsen. At the Holiday Inn Downtown, 141 N. 9th St.
April 26 Spring Conference: Oral History: Stories for the Generations 9 am. Bancroft, NE. Speakers include Dr. Delphine Redshirt, Bobby Bridger, and Taylor Keen. Moderated by Walter M. Duda. Registration required. At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site, 306 W. Elm Street.
April 27 An Unspeakable Sadness Book Discussion 1 pm. Gering, NE. In “An Unspeakable Sadness,” historical geographer David Wishart tells the story of the dispossession process as it affected the Nebraska Indians (the Otoe-Missouria, Ponca, Omaha and Pawnee) over the course of the nineteenth century. Working from primary documents, and including American Indian voices, Wishart also analyzes the repercussions of dispossession. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua.
April 13 O Pioneers! Book Discussion 7 pm. Norfolk, NE. “O Pioneers!” was Willa Cather’s first great novel portraying the physical reality of the Great Plains and the people who settled there. Discussion will be led by Vicki Blattert. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. Norfolk Arts Center, 305 N 5th St.

May

Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your May event.
May 1 Plains Writers Series 2 pm. Wayne, NE. With Karen Shoemaker and Brent Spencer. For more information: wscpress (at) wsc.edu. In the second floor lounge in the Humanities Building at Wayne State College.
May 1 & 2 Heartland Storytelling Festival Beatrice, NE. Contact Merrith Baughman at 402-223-3514 for details. At the Homestead National Monument.
May 1 & 2 State Center Idea Exchange [DOC] Washington, DC. Idea Exchange, discussions of Letters About Literature, River of Words, and Literacy Awards Programs. At the Library of Congress.
May 4 Film Screening and Discussion: "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" 6:30 pm. Scottsbluff, NE. “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” is a 2007 HBO film based on the book of the same title by Dee Brown. The film explores the end of Native Americans’ traditional ways of life and the beginning of life on reservations during the late nineteenth century. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. Midwest Theatre, 1707 Broadway.
May 6 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 2 pm. Alexandria, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Nancy Mau at 402-729-3004 for more information. At Alexandria Presbyterian Church, 311 W 4th St.
May 10 Film Screening and Discussion: "Heartland" 9 am. Norfolk, NE. “Heartland” is a prize-winning dramatic depiction of early homestead life. The film was funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and based on Elinore Pruitt Stewart’s memoir “Letters of a Woman Homesteader.” Discussion will be led by Karen Drevo. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. Norfolk 7 Theater, 1000 Riverside Blvd Norfolk.
May 14 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 2 pm. Fairbury, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Lana Likens at 402-729-3351 for more information. At Garden Side Long Term Care, 2200 H St.
May 24 - 31 Great Plains Theatre Conference Omaha, NE. Offers playwrights the opportunity to interact with, and have their work seen by top writers, directors, and actors from around the country. In addition, playwrights will be able to work directly with these professionals in hands on writing and industry workshops. Playwrights will also participate in daily panel discussions and have tickets to evening performances with master playwrights and theatre practitioners.

June

June 3 I Am A Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey for Justice Book Discussion 6:30 pm. Norfolk, NE. "I Am A Man: Chief Standing Bear's Journey for Justice" is Joe Starita's closely-researched nonfiction account of the Ponca tribe’s displacement by the U.S. Government, Chief Standing Bear's journey home to bury his son, and the legal battle that first recognized Native Americans as people under the law. It was the 2012 One Book One Nebraska selection. Discussion will be led by Joe Starita. In preparation for this summer's Chautauqua. Norfolk Public Library, 309 N 5th St.
June 5 - 7 59th Annual Willa Cather Spring Conference Red Cloud, NE. Mapping Literary Landscapes: Environments and Ecosystems. The 59th annual Spring Conference and the one-day scholarly symposium preceding it will focus on the complex impact of the natural environment on Cather and her contemporaries, and on the writers and artists of the generations that have followed. Sponsored by the Willa Cather Foundation.
June 9-13 FINE LINES Writing Camp Summer Camp for Creative Writers Omaha, NE. Categories: Grades 3-12, College, and Adults. Join writers who add clarity and passion to their lives with the written word. We will have fun with sentences, learn to play while developing poems-stories-essays, and discover creative corners of our minds that we did not know existed. Contact David Martin at fine-lines (at) cox.net for more information. At Beveridge Middle School at 1616 South 120th Street, Omaha, NE.
June 10 - 12 Nebraska Novel Retreat: Marketing to Agents Schuyler, NE. At St. Benedict Retreat Center.
June 13 - 14 Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival McCook, NE. "Deep Roots, Broad Horizons" -- Story and Song Dinner Cabaret, Stage Show at the Historic Fox Theatre, a Wild West Bus Ride to Camp Duke Alexis and the Last Buffalo Hunt, Taste of Chautauqua at the George Norris Historic Site, Poetry Slam, KidsFest, local stories, workshops and more. Featuring Beth Horner, Matt Mason, Sarah McKinstry-Brown, and The Steel Wheels.
June 14 - 27 Superior Summer Screenwriting Colony Superior, NE. The schedule will immediately immerse you in the writing process where you will be encouraged to progress from story idea, to treatment, to step-outline and finally to complete the First Act of the Screenplay.
June 16 - 22 Young Writer's Camp Lincoln, NE. Open to all aspiring young writers, grades 9-12. Online registration available. Presented by the Nebraska Writing Project and UNL. On the University of Nebraska - Lincoln campus.
June 18-22 Chautauqua: “Free Land? 1862 and the Shaping of Modern America” Norfolk, NE. The “Free Land” Chautauqua will address the collective impacts of the Homestead Act, the Pacific Railway Act, and the Morrill Act on Nebraska, the Great Plains and the nation. The influences of these three pieces of legislation, all passed within six weeks of each other in 1862, will be explored through scholar portrayals of six prominent historical figures: Union general and railroad builder Grenville Dodge, author Willa Cather, Ponca chief Standing Bear, author and homesteader Laura Ingalls Wilder, homesteader and inventor George Washington Carver, and humorist Mark Twain as moderator. Sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council.
June 25-29 Chautauqua: “Free Land? 1862 and the Shaping of Modern America” Scottsbluff-Gering, NE. The “Free Land” Chautauqua will address the collective impacts of the Homestead Act, the Pacific Railway Act, and the Morrill Act on Nebraska, the Great Plains and the nation. The influences of these three pieces of legislation, all passed within six weeks of each other in 1862, will be explored through scholar portrayals of six prominent historical figures: Union general and railroad builder Grenville Dodge, author Willa Cather, Ponca chief Standing Bear, author and homesteader Laura Ingalls Wilder, homesteader and inventor George Washington Carver, and humorist Mark Twain as moderator. Sponsored by the Nebraska Humanities Council.

July

July 2014 Write Across Nebraska Month-long. Write Across Nebraska (WAN) is a state wide event that happens each July. The purpose of WAN is to encourage all writers to write.
July 24 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 6 pm. Bellevue, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Gordon Wyant at 402-293-3157 for more information. At Bellevue Public Library, 1003 Lincoln Rd.
July 26 Norfolk Public Library Literature Festival Norfolk, NE. For literature lovers of all ages. There is a fee. Contact Karen Drevo at 402-844-2108, kdrevo (at) ci.norfolk.ne.us, at Norfolk Public Library more information.
July 31 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion 7:00 pm. Columbus, NE. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At Columbus Public Library, 2504 14th St.
Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your July event.

August

August 1 - 3 OSFest 7 Omaha, NE. Science Fiction and Fantasy Festival: Workshops, Science talks, Anime programming, Film and Television activities, Costuming workshops, Coffee with the Guests of Honor, Free book library, Masquerade and Hall costume contests, Author readings, 2013 OSFest Independent Film Festival, Room Parties. Sponsored by the Omaha Science Fiction Education Society.
August 30 Library of Congress National Book Festival Washington, DC.
Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your August event.

September

September 19-21 Rail Fest 2014 North Platte, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event.
September 21-27 Banned Books Week: Celebrating the Freedom to Read Nationwide.
September 25 Pilster Great Plains Lecture Chadron, NE. "The Mysterious Plains" The lecturer this year is Margaret Coel. Sponsored by the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society and Chadron State College.
September 26 Mari Sandoz Conference Chadron, NE. "The Mysterious Plains" With Margaret Coel. Sponsored by the Mari Sandoz Heritage Society and Chadron State College.
Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your September event.

October

National Reading Group Month Nationwide. On this site you'll find the story behind National Reading Group Month, a calendar of nationwide events, and resources and tips for enhancing book discussions.
October 8-10 Nebraska Library Association / Nebraska Educational Media Association Conference Three days of library related programs and exhibits. South Sioux City, NE.
October 12-18 Teen Read Week Nationwide.
Contact Kathryn Brockmeier to submit your October event.

Ongoing

Lincoln

Acoustic Open Mic Lincoln, NE. Wednesdays, 8 pm - 12 am, at Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso, 1624 South St. For musicians and poets. Hosted by Spencer. Call 402-477-2007 for more information.
F Street Writers Workshop Lincoln, NE. At the F Street Community Center. Humor, flash-fiction, romance. With Terrance Oberst, facilitator. Contact Terrance, terranceoberst (at) gmail (dot) com for more information.
Lincoln City Libraries Book Talks and Book Discussion Groups Lincoln, NE. Includes Books Talk at Bethany and Gere branches, Courtyard Book Chats in the Garden, Just Desserts Mystery Discussion Group, and Great Books Reading and Discussion Group.
Lunch at the Library Lincoln, NE. 12:10 pm, 1st Wednesday. Bring your lunch and enjoy coffee provided by The Mill. Sponsored by Nebraska Literary Heritage Association, support group for the Jane Pope Geske Heritage for Nebraska Authors. At Bennett Martin Public Library, 14th & N Streets. For more information: heritage (at) lincolnlibraries.org.
Nebraska Romance Writers Lincoln, NE. Last Tuesday, with a few special exceptions. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Lincoln City Libraries Gere Branch. Meetings generally feature several mini-workshops on motivation, craft, or a potpourri presentation designed to inspire our writing members.
no name reading series Lincoln, NE. 4pm; Sept. 6 & 27; Oct. 18; Nov. 1 & 22; Jan. 10 & 24, 2013; Feb. 7 & 21; Mar. 21; April 11. Run by the graduate students in the UNL English department, the series aims to support the creative talent that comes out of the department by promoting that talent throughout the greater Lincoln community. At Zen's Lounge, 122 N. 11th St. Contact Jason at jason.hertz (at) huskers.unl.edu for more information.
One Book One Lincoln Lincoln, NE. Various activities. Inviting Lincoln to read and discuss the same book. Become a fan on Facebook.
Open Mic Night Tuesdays, 9:30 p.m., Lincoln, NE. Open Mic night for Singer/Songwriters, Slam Poets, and Stand Ups. Hosted by Susan Steele and Aimless Entertainment. To pre-register to perform, email treynolds [at] AimlessEntertainment.com. At T he Alley, 1031 M Street.
Park Teen Center Underground Open Mike Coffeehouse Night Lincoln, NE. Last Thursday of the month, 7 - 8:30 pm. Open mic/slam poetry/hot cocoa/coffee/acoustic music for Grades 8-12 at Park School (855 S 8th St., basement). Call 402-441-9471 for more information.
Poet Show It Lincoln, NE. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 8 pm. Local writers come and read. Local people come and drink. Coffee, booze, poetry, fiction. Discovery. At 1122 D St.
Crescent Moon Readings Series Lincoln, NE. Mondays, 7 pm. They offer the microphone to anyone who has written poetry, stories, or songs and wishes to have the opportunity to share them. Contact crescentmoon (at) inebraska.com for more information. At Crescent Moon Coffee, 816 P St.
Smash Teeth Poetry Slam Lincoln, NE. 2nd Wednesday, 7 pm. With Oracle Jones and Ryley G. At the Panic (218 N St). 21 and over.
SP CE Lincoln, NE. Every Saturday, 2 pm. Writing group. At SP CE. 2nd floor of the 14th and O building, northeast corner. Go up the stairs next to Novel Idea Books.
Tuesdays with Writers Lincoln, NE. 1st Tuesday, 7 pm, at the South Mill, 4736 Prescott. Featured speaker. Open mic follows. Contact Deborah McGinn, dmcginn (at) lps (dot) org for more information.

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Omaha

2nd Saturday Poetry Workshop Omaha, NE. Meets monthly, 1 - 3 pm, at various branches of the Omaha Public Library. This monthly workshop is open to all ages and will work in crafting spoken word poetry. Presented by Omaha Public Library and the Nebraska Writers Collective.
FEATURED EVENT Beaux Arts at Brewsky's Omaha, NE. Meets 2nd Thursdays, 7 - 10 pm, at Brewsky's, 8528 Park Dr. Every second Thursday of the month, WriteLife and Brewsky’s will host a local author, artist or artisan, and musician who will share about their craft.
GET LIT with Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre Fridays, 6:30 pm. Omaha, NE. actors will give vivid voice to animate readings that traverse all the genres of literature. GET LIT! will begin with some brief background on the authors and stories and introductions of the actors. The readings will run less than an hour, and will be followed by some sprightly discussion for those in the mood. Designed as an informal but satisfying after-supper interlude, it will deliver a whimsical and unique wind-down from the work week/wind-up for the weekend. The selections for each Friday will be announced a week in advance on posters at the Bookworm, via Brigit email, and at Bridgit’s website www.bsbtheatre.com. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
Lil Divas Book Club for Teens Omaha, NE. Meets monthly, 2 - 4 pm, at the Charles B. Washington Branch of the Omaha Public Library. Come join a book club especially for African American girls! Each month we’ll sample another hot young adult urban fiction title. Join us for food, friends and fun! E-mail Russ Harper at rharper (at) omahalibrary (dot) org for more information.
The Midwest Poetry Vibe Omaha, NE. Wednesdays, 9 pm - 1 am, at Arthur’s, 8025 W. Dodge Rd. One of the most diverse events in the Midwest, come feel the vibe. Poetry, the latest R&B and Neosoul music, live performances, a different concert DVD of a national artist, food and drink specials, and much more. Presented by Versatile Entertainment Group, Inc.
Writer's Workshop at Stories Omaha, NE. 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 pm, at Stories Coffee House, 1129 S. 18th St. Meet other writers, workshop your projects, and give feedback to creative individuals. Sponsored by WriteLife Publishing Company and Stories Coffee House.
Writer's Workshop Reading Series Omaha, NE. For going on 40 years, the Writer's Workshop Reading Series at UNO has featured free public readings and discussions by nationally renowned authors. Authors offer fascinating information about their own books and expertise on the craft of writing itself. Afterward, they will be available to sign books, which may be purchased on site. Traditionally held in the fall.
Naked Words Open Mike Omaha, NE. 1st Wednesday, 6 - 8 pm. Poetry, frivolty, the occasional Pop-Tart. Hosted by Heidi Hermanson. At Soul Desires, 1026 Jackson St. Email Heidi, prairie (dot) sky (at) gmail (dot) com for more information.
Omaha Healing Arts Center Poetry Slam Omaha, NE. Year-round, 2nd Saturday of each month, doors open at 7 pm, at the Omaha Healing Arts Center in the Old Market. Open mic and slam. Join their Facebook group.
Open Mic at Aroma's Omaha, NE. Last Saturday, 7 - 9:30 pm. For musicians, poets, any and all. Come in and talk to Leslie (the dude with the beard) or Becks (the redhead) behind the counter to sign up. 20 minute time slots are allotted, unless the night is slow. Then they will be longer. At 1033 Jones St. Visit the Aromas Coffeehouse Facebook page.
PROVOKE! Spoken Word Omaha, NE. 1st Monday, 7 - 9 pm. Open mic hosted by Jack Hubbell; it’s the poetic equivalent to that sharp pointy stick your mom always warned you about. At the Pizza Shoppe Collective.
Shoot Your Mouth Off III Omaha, NE. Tuesdays, 9 pm sign-up, 9:30 pm start, at The Hideout, 320 S 72nd St, 402-504-4434. “An evening of poetry, comedy and chaos the way it was meant to be seen: in a bar with 50 of your closest friends!”
Verbal Gumbo 7 - 11 pm. Omaha, NE. 3rd Thursday. Crabby about the political climate? Want some okra change? Just want to discuss your relationshrimps– or the andouille sausage in your life? Well, Verbal Gumbo is here with some hot, spicey flava with a side o’ rice and rhythm. This is the spoken word event that promotes our rich diversity of culture and style. At House of Loom, 1012 S. 10th St.
Wednesday Words Omaha, NE. 2nd Wednesday, 11:45 am - 1 pm. An ongoing reading series recognizing award-winning writers from Nebraska, including Nebraska Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowships in Literature honorees. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show. At KANEKO's KANEKO-UNO Library, 1111 Jones St.
Writelife Open Mic Omaha, NE. Last Monday. 7 pm. At the Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St.
Writelife Workshops Omaha, NE. 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 6:30 pm. At the Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St.
X Poetry CommUNITY, Open Mic Omaha, NE. 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 4 - 5:45 pm, at The Spot, Charles B. Washington Branch Library, 2868 Ames Ave, 402-444-4849. For teens, tweens, and all ages. Open mic event with occasional features. Contact prahduct at productoftha88 (at) yahoo (dot) com or 402-659-8353 for more information.

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Various

Animanga Club Council Bluffs, NE. Meets every other Thursday, 3:30-5 pm, at the Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave. Call 712-323-7553 for details.
Geocaching the Literary Map of Nebraska Statewide. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.
Nebraska Writers Workshop Ralston, NE. Wednesdays, 5:30 - 9 pm, at the Baright Public Library directly east of Ralston City Hall, 5555 South 77th St.
Not Just a Book, Club Kearney, NE. 1st Tuesday, 10:30 am, at Museum of Nebraska Art, 2401 Central Ave. For the avid reader whose interests lie in authors from Nebraska and about Nebraska including many that pertain to artists relevant to our state. There is no cost for this program, however occasionally you may want to purchase a book. Call 308-865-8559 to register.
Open Mic Poetry Night at A to Z Books North Platte, NE. 2nd Friday and 4th Saturday, 7 pm, at A to Z Books, 507 North Jeffers. It’s a fun, funny, widely varied group. Poems can be short or long, funny or touching, rhymed or free verse. Musicians too. George Lauby of The North Platte Bulletin emcees and makes you feel comfortable. Call 308-534-0140 for details.
Poetry Downtown on the Bricks Kearney, NE. 3rd Tuesday, 7 pm, at Book Ends Used and Collectible Books, 2218 Central Ave. They are actively seeking poets who are interested in sharing their work at these readings. Call Book Ends at 308-293-0031 or email bookends(at)rcom-ne.com for more information.
Vermillion Literary Project Poetry Slam One of the best things about poetry slam is the range of poets it attracts. You’ll find a diverse range of work within slam, including heartfelt love poetry, searing social commentary, uproarious comic routines, and bittersweet personal confessional pieces. Poets are free to do work in any style on any subject. Contact Marcella Remund, mremund (at) usd.edu, for more information.
Volkswalk: Walking with Wright Morris Central City, NE. Walk in the footsteps of Wright Morris. This volkswalk was designed to take walkers past famous landmarks from Wright Morris’ life and writings. Sponsored by the Omaha Science Fiction Education Society.

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Previous Events of 2014

January

January 2 Storybook Reading with Jeff Kurrus 10 - 11 am. Lincoln, NE. Come listen to a reading of Have You Seen Mary? by Gretna author and NEBRASKAland Magazine editor Jeff Kurrus. The book, beautifully photographed by Lincoln photographer Michael Forsberg, is a wonderful story about sandhill cranes in Nebraska. Following the reading, Kurrus will share a slide show of his work as a nature writer and photographer. There will also be hands-on activities for kids and great stories for all. Call 402-441-7895 for more information. At the Prairie Building of the Pioneers Park Nature Center.
January 11 Author Fair 2 - 4 pm. Papillion, NE. A panel of local authors and publishers speak about the publishing process. Over thirty local authors will be available to discuss, sign, and sell their books. Contact Amy Wenzl at (402)898-8830 or wenzl.amy (at) gmail.com for more information. At Sump Memorial Library, 222 N. Jefferson.
January 13 Nebraska State Poet Introduction 2 pm. Lincoln, NE. Nebraska State Poet Twyla M. Hansen will serve a five-year renewable term as an advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature in Nebraska. Warner Chamber, Nebraska State Capitol, 1445 K St.
January 14-18 Kearney Area Storytelling Festival Kearney, NE. You're invited to come hear professional storytellers--along with area tellers--present the art of storytelling in many area venues. This year's headliners include Bil Lepp and Carol Birch. At various locations.
January 15 Trans-Mississippi Exposition of 1898 and The Swan Gondola 3:30 pm. Lincoln, NE. Speaker: Timothy Schaffert, UNL English department, author of The Swan Gondola. Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St.
January 16 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 7 pm. Elgin, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Becky Evans at 402-843-5757 for more information. Elgin Community Center, 124 S. 2nd St.
January 18 Book Signing with Lydia Kang 2 pm. Omaha. Kang will sign Control. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
January 18 Write from the Heart 1 pm. Omaha. A Writing and Creativity Workshop with Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed. There is a fee. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
January 19 Book Signing with Danielle Herzog 2 pm. Omaha. Herzog will sign The Mother of All Meltdowns: Real Stories of Moms' Finest (Worst, Completely Awful) Moments. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
January 19 The Deadliest Mile 2 pm. Bancroft, NE. A Sunday at the Museum program. Self-proclaimed steamboat hunter Pete King of Sergeant Bluff will give a presentation on historic steamboat wrecks along what he calls "the deadliest mile," the once winding, snaky section of the Missouri River just south of Onawa, IA and Decatur, NE. At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site, 306 W. Elm Street.
January 25 Young Poets Contest Deadline This is an annual contest held to honor the memory of John G. Neihardt, Poet Laureate of Nebraska in Perpetuity, and to encourage and highlight young poets. The sponsor is the Neihardt Foundation, which operates the Neihardt State Historical Site in Bancroft, Nebraska, where Neihardt wrote many of his most important works.
January 25 Book Signing with Julie Kramer 1 pm. Omaha. Kramer will sign Delivering Death. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
January 26 Book Signing with Kent Sievers 1 pm. Omaha. Sievers will sign Little Man. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
January 26 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion Lodgepole. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At Nancy Fawcett Memorial Library, 724 Oberfelder St.
January 27 One Book One Nebraska Book Talk 2:30 pm. Lincoln. At Gere Branch, Lincoln City Libraries, 2400 S. 56th St.

February

February 4 Prairie Schooner Winter Issue Launch Event 7:30 p.m. Lincoln, NE. Poet and Iraq war veteran Brian Turner will speak, with readings by contributors Ted Genoways, Eduardo Halfon, and Mihaela Moscaliuc. The event centers on the issue's theme of "War and Conflict," and is free and open to the public. The event will also feature the multimedia and photography exhibit "Assignment Afghanistan." At the Great Plains Art Museum, 1155 Q St.
February 7 Trans-Mississippi World's Fair Opening Reception & Author Visit with Timothy Schaffert 6 pm. Omaha, NE. 1898 Trans-Mississippi World's Fair exhibit. Schaffert with read and sign copies of his new book The Swan Gondola. At the W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St.
February 7 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion Emerson. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At Emerson Public Library, 110 Main St.
February 8 & 9 Film Festival: The Great Plains: America's Lingering Wild Beatrice, NE. Follow nature photographer Michael Forsberg as he examines the remaining "wildness" in the Great Plains of North America. At the Homestead National Monument.
February 9 New Tricks from Old Sod 2 pm. Bancroft, NE. A Sunday at the Museum program. John Carter, with the Nebraska State Historical Society, will give a slide presentation entitled "New Tricks from Old Sod." Most people think they have heard everything they need to know about these unique prairie homes, but Carter gives a surprisingly fresh look. At the John G. Neihardt State Historical Site, 306 W. Elm Street.
February 11 E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues “The American Military: War and Peace, Spending and Politics” 7 pm. Lincoln, NE. In moderated debate style, Andrew Bacevich and Derek Chollet will discuss related topics and take questions from the audience. Bacevich's book, “Breach of Trust: How Americans Failed their Soldiers and their Country,” critiques the gulf between America’s soldiers and the society that sends them off to war. Chollet is the author or co-author of six books, including “The Road to the Dayton Accords: A Study of American Statecraft” and “America Between the Wars: From 11/9 to 9/11.” At the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th Street.
February 14 One Book One Nebraska Book Discussion Kimball. Discussion of Once Upon a Town by Bob Greene. At Kimball Public Library, 208 S. Walnut St.
February 14 Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen 11 am. Hebron, NE. A One Book One Nebraska event. Speaker: Charlotte Endorf. Contact Jennifer Blair at 402-768-6052 for more information. Hebron Senior Center, 425 Lincoln Ave.
February 17 Annual Bess Streeter Aldrich Short Story Contest Deadline Four divisions: Adult, High School, Middle School, and Intermediate School. 1000 to 2000 words (there is no minimum word requirement for the Intermediate category) and submissions should be written in the wholesome spirit displayed by Bess Streeter Aldrich in her works.
February 20 Visiting Writers Series 7 pm. Norfolk, NE. With Fred Arroyo, author of Western Avenue and Other Fictions. Hawks Landing, Northeast Community College. Contact Neil Harrison at neil (at) northeast.edu for more information.
February 21-23 Nebraska Novel Retreat: Revision, Revision, Revision Schuyler, NE. E-mail nlsharpwriter (at) gmail.com for more information. At St. Benedict Retreat Center.
February 22 Omaha Public Library's 3rd Annual Author Fair 1 - 4 pm. Omaha, NE. Meet local authors and publishers. Featuring publisher's panel from 2 - 3 pm. Get advice from the experts about your next project. At Omaha Public Library Main Branch, 215 S. 15th St.
February 22 Book Signing with Andy Myers 10 - 11:30 am. Omaha. Myers will sign Flying Paint Rollers from Heaven. At Sheraton Omaha Hotel, 655 N. 108th Ave.
February 23 Book Signing with Margaret Lukas 1 pm. Omaha. Lukas will sign Farthest House. At The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St.
February 26 A Prophet without Honor?: Malthus on the Great Plains 3:30 pm. Lincoln, NE. Speaker: Derek Hoff, KSU economic historian, author of The State and the Stork: The Population Debate and Policy Making in US History. Center for Great Plains Studies, 1155 Q St.
February 28 Humanities on the Edge 5:30 pm. Lincoln. "Humanomics: Or, Why Neo-Classical, Neo-Marxist, Neo-Institutionalist Views of History and the Economy are Wrong" -- public lecture by Deirdre McCloskey, author of Bourgeois Dignity: Why Economics Can't Explain the Modern World. At the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
February 28 Vermillion Literary Project Poetry Festival Vermillion, SD.

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