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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260329T163000
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SUMMARY:The Everette Maddox Memorial Reading Series
DESCRIPTION:Sundays at 4:20 pm \nThe Maple Leaf Bar hosts the longest continuously running poetry reading series in North America. It is free and open to the public. The poetry series has been a platform for a great diversity of writers to present their work\, from the published and well-established to the novice poet alike. The reading series was founded in 1979 by Franz Heldner\, Bob Stock\, and the consummate poet laureate of the Maple Leaf Bar\, Everette Maddox. \nThe series gained popularity around the same time that James Booker\, the flamboyantly wonderful one-eyed piano virtuoso\, held court at The Leaf. Everette Maddox\, another well-loved outrageous personality of the time\, helped popularized the series with his humor\, charisma and whit. Maddox ran the series for nearly 10 years\, until his death in 1989. Since then\, the torch has been carried on by poet Nancy Harris aka “Ape Woman.” \nTo date\, there have been four published anthologies of poets who have read their work at the Maple Leaf: The Maple Leaf Rag (1980)\, The Maple Leaf Rag 15th Anniversary Anthology (1994)\, the Maple Leaf Rag III (2006)\, and Maple Leaf Rag IV (2010). \nAdditionally\, the Maple Leaf is portrayed in many books and stories by New Orleans writers. It is thinly disguised as “The Raintree Street Bar” in the Ellen Gilchrist short story “The Raintree Street Bar and Washerteria” (The Leaf was once a small Laundromat). Poems inspired by the Maple Leaf or about the bar can be found in Mirror Wars and Shards\, by Nancy Harris; Body and Soul and Rhythm & Booze\, by Julie Kane; and The Everette Maddox Song Book\, Bar Scotch and American Waste by Everette Maddox. \nAmerican Waste is a collection of Maddox’ final poems\, written at the Maple Leaf\, Muddy Waters (which was once located across the street) and at the Carrollton Station. Maddox penned the final version of his poems on bar napkins\, fliers\, and beer coasters which were collected by Hank Staples\, the current owner of the Maple Leaf Bar. After Maddox’ death\, his friends decided to publish the posthumous collection of poems. \nThe readings are held every Sunday at 4:20 p.m. If you are going to be in New Orleans and would like to read\, please contact us at least a month or more in advance. \nFor more info\, go to: https://www.mapleleafbar.com/poetry-night or contact Nancy Harris on Facebook.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-everette-maddox-memorial-reading-series/2026-03-29/
LOCATION:Maple Leaf Bar\, 8316 Oak St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/maple-leaf.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nancy Harris":MAILTO:apewoman@bellsouth.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260331T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20240107T230419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240107T230831Z
UID:10002832-1774983600-1774990800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Open Mic (Jazz & Poetry)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://litwire.org/event/open-mic-jazz-poetry/2026-03-31/
LOCATION:Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club\, 1931 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sweetlorraines.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260401T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260401T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T021019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240309T172257Z
UID:10001630-1775077200-1775086200@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Poets on Poets
DESCRIPTION:Café Istanbul presents Poets on Poets every Wednesday 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.\n\nDoors open for 9:00 pm.\n\n$5 drinks all night long.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/poets-on-poets/2026-04-01/
LOCATION:Cafe Istanbul\, 2372 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/poets-on-poets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260122T185807Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T185807Z
UID:10004919-1775156400-1775163600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Literary Night At The Coffeehouse
DESCRIPTION:All poets\, writers\, rappers\, spell spinners\, whisperers\, and lovers of the Spoken Word. \nOpen Mic Poet’s Night every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/literary-night-at-the-coffeehouse/2026-04-02/
LOCATION:The Neutral Ground Coffee House\, 5110 Danneel St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70115\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_3994-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260402T223000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20250806T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T182910Z
UID:10004516-1775160000-1775169000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Magic Mic
DESCRIPTION:7 minutes of magic on the mic. Show us your magic\, share in the magic of others. Tell your tales\, share your songs\, make music\, melodies and memories with us. ALL ACTs OPEN! Starts at 8pm every Thursday at Poor Boys!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-magic-mic/2026-04-02/
LOCATION:Poor Boys Bar\, 1328 St Bernard Ave\, New Orleans\, L\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Erotica,Flash Fiction,In-Person,Non-Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Poetry Slam,Q&A,Slam,Spoken Word,Story Slam,Storytelling,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/music.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Flavius":MAILTO:flaviusbentley@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260403T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260403T190000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260320T201441Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T201441Z
UID:10005041-1775235600-1775242800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Books\, Banter & Cider with Farrah Rochon
DESCRIPTION:Join us for one of our favorite pairings: good books\, thoughtful conversation\, and a glass (or two) of cider! \nThis month\, we’re delighted to welcome Farrah Rohon to talk about the inspiration behind her books\, her writing process\, and the themes that weave their way through her series’\, plus plenty of time to celebrate the joy of reading together. \nPart literary salon\, part evening of lively conversation\, Books\, Banter & Cider invites readers and writers alike to connect over books\, ideas\, and a shared love of story. Come for the author\, stay for the banter\, and leave a little more inspired. \nPop-up begins at 5pm. Farrah Rochon will be joining us at 6pm. Farrah’s books will be for sale during the event. The author will sign copies at the event.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/books-banter-cider-with-farrah-rochon/
LOCATION:Broad Street Cider\, 2723 S Broad St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70125\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book for Sale,Book Signing,Conversation,Fiction,In-Person
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Books-Banter-Cider-April-Banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Book Banter Books":MAILTO:BookBanterBooks@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260405
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260406
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260406T031754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T031754Z
UID:10005059-1775347200-1775433599@litwire.org
SUMMARY:giyynwjdgg
DESCRIPTION:fgunghwyvxutrkskmhgrkoswefrvin
URL:https://litwire.org/event/giyynwjdgg/
LOCATION:igvppjoerq\, dxmesmpyxl\, New Orleans\, khziuzxfql\, xjdgknosuf\, Select a Country:
ORGANIZER;CN="mjljmzsuxh":MAILTO:hnwxulun@immenseignite.info
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260405T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260405T180000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230801T234325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230801T234325Z
UID:10001238-1775406600-1775412000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Everette Maddox Memorial Reading Series
DESCRIPTION:Sundays at 4:20 pm \nThe Maple Leaf Bar hosts the longest continuously running poetry reading series in North America. It is free and open to the public. The poetry series has been a platform for a great diversity of writers to present their work\, from the published and well-established to the novice poet alike. The reading series was founded in 1979 by Franz Heldner\, Bob Stock\, and the consummate poet laureate of the Maple Leaf Bar\, Everette Maddox. \nThe series gained popularity around the same time that James Booker\, the flamboyantly wonderful one-eyed piano virtuoso\, held court at The Leaf. Everette Maddox\, another well-loved outrageous personality of the time\, helped popularized the series with his humor\, charisma and whit. Maddox ran the series for nearly 10 years\, until his death in 1989. Since then\, the torch has been carried on by poet Nancy Harris aka “Ape Woman.” \nTo date\, there have been four published anthologies of poets who have read their work at the Maple Leaf: The Maple Leaf Rag (1980)\, The Maple Leaf Rag 15th Anniversary Anthology (1994)\, the Maple Leaf Rag III (2006)\, and Maple Leaf Rag IV (2010). \nAdditionally\, the Maple Leaf is portrayed in many books and stories by New Orleans writers. It is thinly disguised as “The Raintree Street Bar” in the Ellen Gilchrist short story “The Raintree Street Bar and Washerteria” (The Leaf was once a small Laundromat). Poems inspired by the Maple Leaf or about the bar can be found in Mirror Wars and Shards\, by Nancy Harris; Body and Soul and Rhythm & Booze\, by Julie Kane; and The Everette Maddox Song Book\, Bar Scotch and American Waste by Everette Maddox. \nAmerican Waste is a collection of Maddox’ final poems\, written at the Maple Leaf\, Muddy Waters (which was once located across the street) and at the Carrollton Station. Maddox penned the final version of his poems on bar napkins\, fliers\, and beer coasters which were collected by Hank Staples\, the current owner of the Maple Leaf Bar. After Maddox’ death\, his friends decided to publish the posthumous collection of poems. \nThe readings are held every Sunday at 4:20 p.m. If you are going to be in New Orleans and would like to read\, please contact us at least a month or more in advance. \nFor more info\, go to: https://www.mapleleafbar.com/poetry-night or contact Nancy Harris on Facebook.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-everette-maddox-memorial-reading-series/2026-04-05/
LOCATION:Maple Leaf Bar\, 8316 Oak St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/maple-leaf.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nancy Harris":MAILTO:apewoman@bellsouth.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260405T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260405T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260326T145905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T145905Z
UID:10005049-1775412000-1775422800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:ALOUD featuring Lisa Pasold
DESCRIPTION:After the Gay Easter Parade\, meet us in the lovely 2nd floor of Turtle Bay for an evening of poetry featuring Lisa Pasold! We will gather at 6 and start the show at 6:30. After the feature\, we’ll take a short break\, then reconvene for the open mic. We’d love to see you and your work. \nLisa Pasold is a poet\, bilingual story-teller (English/French)\, and journalist originally from Tio’tia:ke/Montréal. Along with her five books\, she has also written for TV\, radio\, theatre\, and opera. She has been writing daily poems for two decades; the resulting poetry has appeared in magazines such as Room\, Fence and New American Writing. Rodrigo Toscano says of her work: ‘Pasold’s sense of a what a “day” is/might be\, what a “person” is\, what a “circumstance” is\, is up in the air. But ever so skillfully\, Pasold nets in the floating debris of social phenomenon into some of the richest poems and flash fiction pieces currently on offer.’ She’ll be reading from her new chapbook\, Kindnesses (Cactus Press.) \n 
URL:https://litwire.org/event/aloud-featuring-lisa-pasold/
LOCATION:Turtle Bay\, 1119 Decatur St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lISA-pASOLD.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260407T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260407T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20240107T230419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240107T230831Z
UID:10002833-1775588400-1775595600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Open Mic (Jazz & Poetry)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://litwire.org/event/open-mic-jazz-poetry/2026-04-07/
LOCATION:Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club\, 1931 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sweetlorraines.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260408
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260409
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260408T161332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T161332Z
UID:10005064-1775606400-1775692799@litwire.org
SUMMARY:jeroldlymr
DESCRIPTION:xuxxepvpywvuxhdwwisxmxgmvngulm
URL:https://litwire.org/event/jeroldlymr/
LOCATION:swzgsdvvjx\, ekejvtfuqd\, New Orleans\, oprfkhqkdj\, puwhshsxou\, Select a Country:
ORGANIZER;CN="jzlppepllr":MAILTO:jiwqijwh@immenseignite.info
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T230000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T014515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230802T014515Z
UID:10001430-1775682000-1775689200@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Esoterotica: Original Erotic Readings by Local Writers
DESCRIPTION:Every Other Wednesday at The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret 2240 St. Claude Ave. NOLA\n21 & Up\, $5 at the Door\, ID’s & Proof of Vaxx Required \nWe Strive to Create an Inclusive & Safe Space for Our Audience & Provocateurs.\nNo Matter Who You Are\, What You Desire\, or Whom You Love\, All Are Welcome \nEsoterotica is a revolving cast of local\, New Orleans area\, provocateurs reading and performing original erotica live\, on stage. Including poetry\, flash fiction\, spoken word\, sexy confessions\, and more\, each show is different\, often showcasing line-ups of new writing\, never heard before. \nLife’s pleasures are a sensory experience\, let us delight your imagination and provoke your desires in a variety of styles for your variety of persuasions.  Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram @Esoterotica NOLA. \nDo You have Something to Share? Email Us to Submit Your Original Erotica or Get More Information & Guidelines at info@esoterotica.com
URL:https://litwire.org/event/esoterotica-original-erotic-readings-by-local-writers/2026-04-08/
LOCATION:The AllWays Lounge\, 2240 St. Claude Ave.\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Erotica,Flash Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Spoken Word
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Esoterotica_AllWays-Lounge-Website-e1690940349571.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260408T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T021019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240309T172257Z
UID:10001631-1775682000-1775691000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Poets on Poets
DESCRIPTION:Café Istanbul presents Poets on Poets every Wednesday 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.\n\nDoors open for 9:00 pm.\n\n$5 drinks all night long.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/poets-on-poets/2026-04-08/
LOCATION:Cafe Istanbul\, 2372 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/poets-on-poets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T193000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260406T213913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T213913Z
UID:10005061-1775757600-1775763000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:An Evening with FreeQuency\, T Clark\, Adam Santino\, and Alan Brickman
DESCRIPTION:We’re back with another reading at the wonderful Twelve Mile Limit featuring four local writers and authors! \n\n\n\n\nWith books and more for sale from our friend Rayna at Book Banter Books!!! We hope to see you there! \nstory|teller\, organizer\, host\, workshop leader\, chaos collagist\, youth worker & performance artist\, FreeQuency is a gender-renegade Kenyan e|immigrant who is masculine off center\, femme adjacent\, an AunTea and|or a prettyboi. FreeQuency’s anti-disciplinary work interrogates and occupies the in between while exploring the nuances and stark contradictions of existence under racialized capitalism. This humanoid is the 2018 Women of the World Poetry Slam Champion\, the founder of Paza Sauti: Kenya & has been featured in or written for numerous outlets. Their work has amassed millions of views online including a TED talk that almost didn’t get released. \nT Clark’s short story collection All This Want (and I Can’t Get None) comes out June 2026 with One World Books. Their fiction has appeared in American Short Fiction\, Kenyon Review\, and elsewhere. A member of Intramural Theater Company\, they live and write in New Orleans. \nAuthor\, Photographer and Humorist. Adam Santino is a storyteller from New Orleans. You can find his work at Santinoart.com. \nAlan Brickman writes short stories and creative nonfiction. In his day job\, he consults to nonprofit organizations and has\, miraculously\, been able to stay upbeat and optimistic about this work. Alan’s writing has appeared in numerous literary journals\, and his story\, “My First Gun\,” appeared in B Cubed Press’ anthology “Southern Truths\,” which is funny because he was raised in New York and educated in Massachusetts. That being said\, he has now lived in New Orleans long enough to have become unfit to live anywhere else. He is a founding member of the Wednesday Riders writing group\, and will be forever grateful for their creative inspiration and loving friendship.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/an-evening-with-freequency-t-clark-adam-santino-and-alan-brickman/
LOCATION:12 mile limit\, 500 S Telemachus St\, New Orleans\, 70119
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/april-9-ig.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260409T223000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20250806T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T182910Z
UID:10004517-1775764800-1775773800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Magic Mic
DESCRIPTION:7 minutes of magic on the mic. Show us your magic\, share in the magic of others. Tell your tales\, share your songs\, make music\, melodies and memories with us. ALL ACTs OPEN! Starts at 8pm every Thursday at Poor Boys!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-magic-mic/2026-04-09/
LOCATION:Poor Boys Bar\, 1328 St Bernard Ave\, New Orleans\, L\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Erotica,Flash Fiction,In-Person,Non-Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Poetry Slam,Q&A,Slam,Spoken Word,Story Slam,Storytelling,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/music.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Flavius":MAILTO:flaviusbentley@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260410T190000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260331T203418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T203418Z
UID:10005055-1775844000-1775847600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Evening Storytime with Chris Clarkson
DESCRIPTION:We’re heading to Parleaux Beer Lab for a cozy Evening Storytime! \nJoin us on Friday\, April 10 at 6pm as local author Chris Clarkson shares his new picture book\, Songbird in the Light (co-authored w/ Billy Porter) with us. Settle in with a pint of Parleaux’s small-batch craft beer (or a juice box for the little ones) and enjoy a family-friendly reading. \nAfter storytime\, kids are invited to stick around for a fun craft activity inspired by the book. \n  \nChris Clarkson is the author of Chloe and the Fireflies\, Where Did Benjamin Go? and That Summer Night on Frenchmen Street and the co-author of Songbird in the Light. Clarkson lives in New Orleans where he’s building a collection of notebooks filled with stories waiting to be brought to life. \n  \nSongbird in the Light: \nFrom beloved Broadway icon Billy Porter\, rising-star author Chris Clarkson\, and award-winning illustrator Charly Palmer comes a beautiful picture book about the power of finding your voice. \nMama says her little boy is a songbird with a voice bigger than his whole body. But at school\, his classmates make fun of the way he walks and the way he talks–which makes him feel like a songbird too shy to sing. \nWith the encouragement of his choir teacher\, he embraces his talent\, realizing that his voice is unique and distinct. When it’s time for the school showcase\, he’s finally ready to embrace his joyful talent and share it with the world. \nFrom Emmy\, Grammy\, and Tony Award winner Billy Porter\, rising star Chris Clarkson\, and award-winning illustrator Charly Palmer comes a beautiful and empowering story about learning to love yourself. \nAs Billy Porter notes is a powerful author’s note: I created this book to remind children of their own joy. Their own love…. A kind of love that the world can’t take away.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/evening-storytime-with-chris-clarkson/
LOCATION:Parleaux Beer Lab\, 634 Lesseps St.\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Book for Sale,Book Signing,Storytelling
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Storytime-at-Parleaux-April-Banner.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Book Banter Books":MAILTO:BookBanterBooks@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T130000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260319T154339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T154339Z
UID:10005038-1775988000-1775998800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Creating Characters Who Read as Real--a writing workshop with Allison Alsup
DESCRIPTION:Stories hinge on credible\, compelling characters. It doesn’t matter the genre—most contemporary narratives demand character-driven storylines. And for those writing personal essays\, there’s no escaping the “I” on the page. Whether based in the writer’s real life experience or completely invented\, intimacy and psychological depth are what modern readers crave. The rub is not all details are created equal. Knowing every tidbit of your character’s life doesn’t necessarily advance the story and may end up obscuring it. \nThis workshop’s goal is to hone in those character essentials that make the people on our pages feel real and true. We’ll explore the kinds of targeted questions writers can—and should–ask long before reaching the end of a draft. Through discussion\, short excerpts and hands on exercises\, we’ll explore key aspects of character development\, including: the core relationship between character and conflict\, what makes for a “telling” detail\,” and the fundamental role of backstory and secondary characters. \nWriters can expect to leave with character-building strategies applicable to any future narrative as well as a deeply rendered character profile for their current project. (They can also expect to learn a heck of a lot by hearing the ideas of other participants.) \nAll levels\, from absolute newbie to experienced writers\, and all prose genres welcome. Participants with either works in progress or well-considered ideas for narratives will most benefit from our session.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/creating-characters-who-read-as-real-a-writing-workshop-with-allison-alsup/
LOCATION:Burnt Canoe Studios\, 4820 Banks Street\, New Orleans\, 70119
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Allison-BW-Cropped.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Orleans Writers Workshop":MAILTO:jessica@neworleanswriters.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T150000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260317T205348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T205348Z
UID:10005036-1776002400-1776006000@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Silver Room w/ Gus Berg and Bracken LeClair
DESCRIPTION:Silver Room is an online reading series for members of the University of New Orleans Creative Writing MFA community. We welcome anyone to join us in our virtual space for readings of poetry\, prose\, plays\, and more. \nReaders for April 12: \nGus Berg\nGus Berg is a New Orleans based writer from a disappearing town in Minnesota by way of San Francisco. His fiction\, nonfiction\, reviews\, and poetry have appeared in publications like Zyzzyva\, BuzzFeed\, Circles Magazine\, Ellipsis\, Writing for a Real World\, LMNL\, and others. Gus is a third-year fiction student in the Creative Writing Workshop at UNO\, where he serves as the Senior Associate Fiction Editor of Bayou Magazine\, emcees and co-organizes the Gold Room reading series\, and convinces first year writing students to stop using ChatGPT. \nBracken LeClair\nBracken LeClair (he/him\, they/them) is a trans poet thinking about angels. Their work focuses around queer issues\, trans and aspec experiences\, and religion\, and hopes to recenter the conventional perspective around love. They are currently in the process of earning their MFA in creative writing at UNO.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/silver-room-w-gus-berg-and-bracken-leclair/
LOCATION:Online
CATEGORIES:Fiction,Interview,Online,Podcast,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/260412-April-2026.png
ORGANIZER;CN="UNO Silver Room":MAILTO:cwwsilverroom@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260412T180000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230801T234325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230801T234325Z
UID:10001239-1776011400-1776016800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Everette Maddox Memorial Reading Series
DESCRIPTION:Sundays at 4:20 pm \nThe Maple Leaf Bar hosts the longest continuously running poetry reading series in North America. It is free and open to the public. The poetry series has been a platform for a great diversity of writers to present their work\, from the published and well-established to the novice poet alike. The reading series was founded in 1979 by Franz Heldner\, Bob Stock\, and the consummate poet laureate of the Maple Leaf Bar\, Everette Maddox. \nThe series gained popularity around the same time that James Booker\, the flamboyantly wonderful one-eyed piano virtuoso\, held court at The Leaf. Everette Maddox\, another well-loved outrageous personality of the time\, helped popularized the series with his humor\, charisma and whit. Maddox ran the series for nearly 10 years\, until his death in 1989. Since then\, the torch has been carried on by poet Nancy Harris aka “Ape Woman.” \nTo date\, there have been four published anthologies of poets who have read their work at the Maple Leaf: The Maple Leaf Rag (1980)\, The Maple Leaf Rag 15th Anniversary Anthology (1994)\, the Maple Leaf Rag III (2006)\, and Maple Leaf Rag IV (2010). \nAdditionally\, the Maple Leaf is portrayed in many books and stories by New Orleans writers. It is thinly disguised as “The Raintree Street Bar” in the Ellen Gilchrist short story “The Raintree Street Bar and Washerteria” (The Leaf was once a small Laundromat). Poems inspired by the Maple Leaf or about the bar can be found in Mirror Wars and Shards\, by Nancy Harris; Body and Soul and Rhythm & Booze\, by Julie Kane; and The Everette Maddox Song Book\, Bar Scotch and American Waste by Everette Maddox. \nAmerican Waste is a collection of Maddox’ final poems\, written at the Maple Leaf\, Muddy Waters (which was once located across the street) and at the Carrollton Station. Maddox penned the final version of his poems on bar napkins\, fliers\, and beer coasters which were collected by Hank Staples\, the current owner of the Maple Leaf Bar. After Maddox’ death\, his friends decided to publish the posthumous collection of poems. \nThe readings are held every Sunday at 4:20 p.m. If you are going to be in New Orleans and would like to read\, please contact us at least a month or more in advance. \nFor more info\, go to: https://www.mapleleafbar.com/poetry-night or contact Nancy Harris on Facebook.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-everette-maddox-memorial-reading-series/2026-04-12/
LOCATION:Maple Leaf Bar\, 8316 Oak St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/maple-leaf.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nancy Harris":MAILTO:apewoman@bellsouth.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260414T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20240107T230419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240107T230831Z
UID:10002834-1776193200-1776200400@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Open Mic (Jazz & Poetry)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://litwire.org/event/open-mic-jazz-poetry/2026-04-14/
LOCATION:Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club\, 1931 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sweetlorraines.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260415T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T021019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240309T172257Z
UID:10001632-1776286800-1776295800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Poets on Poets
DESCRIPTION:Café Istanbul presents Poets on Poets every Wednesday 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.\n\nDoors open for 9:00 pm.\n\n$5 drinks all night long.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/poets-on-poets/2026-04-15/
LOCATION:Cafe Istanbul\, 2372 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/poets-on-poets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260416T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260416T223000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20250806T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T182910Z
UID:10004518-1776369600-1776378600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Magic Mic
DESCRIPTION:7 minutes of magic on the mic. Show us your magic\, share in the magic of others. Tell your tales\, share your songs\, make music\, melodies and memories with us. ALL ACTs OPEN! Starts at 8pm every Thursday at Poor Boys!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-magic-mic/2026-04-16/
LOCATION:Poor Boys Bar\, 1328 St Bernard Ave\, New Orleans\, L\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Erotica,Flash Fiction,In-Person,Non-Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Poetry Slam,Q&A,Slam,Spoken Word,Story Slam,Storytelling,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/music.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Flavius":MAILTO:flaviusbentley@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260417T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260417T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20240826T214326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240826T214326Z
UID:10003812-1776450600-1776459600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Poetry and Espresso
DESCRIPTION:Every THIRD Friday of each month\, Roots Plants + Coffee\, 124 Erlanger Avenue\, Slidell\, presents Poetry & Espresso. Dennis Formento hosts. 6:30 sign in\, 7:00 begin. Poets & musicians welcome. Free!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/poetry-and-espresso-2/2026-04-17/
LOCATION:LA
CATEGORIES:Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_0870-ROOTS-sign.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T163000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260419T180000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230801T234325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230801T234325Z
UID:10001240-1776616200-1776621600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Everette Maddox Memorial Reading Series
DESCRIPTION:Sundays at 4:20 pm \nThe Maple Leaf Bar hosts the longest continuously running poetry reading series in North America. It is free and open to the public. The poetry series has been a platform for a great diversity of writers to present their work\, from the published and well-established to the novice poet alike. The reading series was founded in 1979 by Franz Heldner\, Bob Stock\, and the consummate poet laureate of the Maple Leaf Bar\, Everette Maddox. \nThe series gained popularity around the same time that James Booker\, the flamboyantly wonderful one-eyed piano virtuoso\, held court at The Leaf. Everette Maddox\, another well-loved outrageous personality of the time\, helped popularized the series with his humor\, charisma and whit. Maddox ran the series for nearly 10 years\, until his death in 1989. Since then\, the torch has been carried on by poet Nancy Harris aka “Ape Woman.” \nTo date\, there have been four published anthologies of poets who have read their work at the Maple Leaf: The Maple Leaf Rag (1980)\, The Maple Leaf Rag 15th Anniversary Anthology (1994)\, the Maple Leaf Rag III (2006)\, and Maple Leaf Rag IV (2010). \nAdditionally\, the Maple Leaf is portrayed in many books and stories by New Orleans writers. It is thinly disguised as “The Raintree Street Bar” in the Ellen Gilchrist short story “The Raintree Street Bar and Washerteria” (The Leaf was once a small Laundromat). Poems inspired by the Maple Leaf or about the bar can be found in Mirror Wars and Shards\, by Nancy Harris; Body and Soul and Rhythm & Booze\, by Julie Kane; and The Everette Maddox Song Book\, Bar Scotch and American Waste by Everette Maddox. \nAmerican Waste is a collection of Maddox’ final poems\, written at the Maple Leaf\, Muddy Waters (which was once located across the street) and at the Carrollton Station. Maddox penned the final version of his poems on bar napkins\, fliers\, and beer coasters which were collected by Hank Staples\, the current owner of the Maple Leaf Bar. After Maddox’ death\, his friends decided to publish the posthumous collection of poems. \nThe readings are held every Sunday at 4:20 p.m. If you are going to be in New Orleans and would like to read\, please contact us at least a month or more in advance. \nFor more info\, go to: https://www.mapleleafbar.com/poetry-night or contact Nancy Harris on Facebook.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-everette-maddox-memorial-reading-series/2026-04-19/
LOCATION:Maple Leaf Bar\, 8316 Oak St\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70118\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/maple-leaf.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Nancy Harris":MAILTO:apewoman@bellsouth.net
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T203000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260406T205719Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T205719Z
UID:10005060-1776796200-1776803400@litwire.org
SUMMARY:How to Use Humor in Poetry: A FREE Generative Workshop with Justin Lacour
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a fun and free in-person workshop with Justin Lacour where you’ll dive into ways you can be more playful with poetry. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned poet\, this generative session will get your creative juices flowing. \n\nBonus: our friends at Book Banter Books will be on-site slingin’ books and more!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/how-to-use-humor-in-poetry-a-free-generative-workshop-with-justin-lacour/
LOCATION:Parleaux Beer Lab\, 634 Lesseps St.\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Workshop-Graphics-IG-13.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20240107T230419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240107T230831Z
UID:10002835-1776798000-1776805200@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Open Mic (Jazz & Poetry)
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://litwire.org/event/open-mic-jazz-poetry/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club\, 1931 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/sweetlorraines.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260421T210000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20260418T131304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T131304Z
UID:10005072-1776798000-1776805200@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Backyard Verses
DESCRIPTION:Come check out the poetry stylings of EGross and Brad Richard. I’d like to encourage you to bring a chair and some bug spray.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/backyard-verses-2/
LOCATION:1313 saint Bernard\, 1313 Saint Bernard ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70116-1414\, United States
CATEGORIES:Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/4439.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T230000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T014515Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230802T014515Z
UID:10001431-1776891600-1776898800@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Esoterotica: Original Erotic Readings by Local Writers
DESCRIPTION:Every Other Wednesday at The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret 2240 St. Claude Ave. NOLA\n21 & Up\, $5 at the Door\, ID’s & Proof of Vaxx Required \nWe Strive to Create an Inclusive & Safe Space for Our Audience & Provocateurs.\nNo Matter Who You Are\, What You Desire\, or Whom You Love\, All Are Welcome \nEsoterotica is a revolving cast of local\, New Orleans area\, provocateurs reading and performing original erotica live\, on stage. Including poetry\, flash fiction\, spoken word\, sexy confessions\, and more\, each show is different\, often showcasing line-ups of new writing\, never heard before. \nLife’s pleasures are a sensory experience\, let us delight your imagination and provoke your desires in a variety of styles for your variety of persuasions.  Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram @Esoterotica NOLA. \nDo You have Something to Share? Email Us to Submit Your Original Erotica or Get More Information & Guidelines at info@esoterotica.com
URL:https://litwire.org/event/esoterotica-original-erotic-readings-by-local-writers/2026-04-22/
LOCATION:The AllWays Lounge\, 2240 St. Claude Ave.\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Erotica,Flash Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Spoken Word
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Esoterotica_AllWays-Lounge-Website-e1690940349571.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260422T233000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20230802T021019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240309T172257Z
UID:10001633-1776891600-1776900600@litwire.org
SUMMARY:Poets on Poets
DESCRIPTION:Café Istanbul presents Poets on Poets every Wednesday 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.\n\nDoors open for 9:00 pm.\n\n$5 drinks all night long.
URL:https://litwire.org/event/poets-on-poets/2026-04-22/
LOCATION:Cafe Istanbul\, 2372 St Claude Ave\, New Orleans\, LA\, 70117\, United States
CATEGORIES:Open Mic,Poetry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/poets-on-poets.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260423T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260423T223000
DTSTAMP:20260423T143726
CREATED:20250806T182910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250806T182910Z
UID:10004519-1776974400-1776983400@litwire.org
SUMMARY:The Magic Mic
DESCRIPTION:7 minutes of magic on the mic. Show us your magic\, share in the magic of others. Tell your tales\, share your songs\, make music\, melodies and memories with us. ALL ACTs OPEN! Starts at 8pm every Thursday at Poor Boys!
URL:https://litwire.org/event/the-magic-mic/2026-04-23/
LOCATION:Poor Boys Bar\, 1328 St Bernard Ave\, New Orleans\, L\, 70116\, United States
CATEGORIES:Conversation,Erotica,Flash Fiction,In-Person,Non-Fiction,Open Mic,Poetry,Poetry Slam,Q&A,Slam,Spoken Word,Story Slam,Storytelling,Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://litwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/music.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Flavius":MAILTO:flaviusbentley@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR