LitWire

Esoterotica: Original Erotic Readings by Local Writers
2026-09-09 21:00 - 23:00, 2026-08-26 21:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | The AllWays Lounge, 2240 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70117, United States
Every Other Wednesday at The AllWays Lounge & Cabaret 2240 St. Claude Ave. NOLA
21 & Up, $5 at the Door, ID’s & Proof of Vaxx Required
We Strive to Create an Inclusive & Safe Space for Our Audience & Provocateurs.
No Matter Who You Are, What You Desire, or Whom You Love, All Are Welcome
Esoterotica 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.
Life’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.
Do You have Something to Share? Email Us to Submit Your Original Erotica or Get More Information & Guidelines at info@esoterotica.com

Open Mic (Jazz & Poetry)
2026-09-08 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-09-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-08-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Sweet Lorraine’s Jazz Club, 1931 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70116, United States

The Everette Maddox Memorial Reading Series
2026-09-06 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-30 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-23 16:30 - 18:00, 2026-08-16 16:30 - 18:00 | Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St, New Orleans, LA, 70118, United States
Sundays at 4:20 pm
The 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.
The 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.”
To 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).
Additionally, 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.
American 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.
The 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.
For more info, go to: https://www.mapleleafbar.com/poetry-night or contact Nancy Harris on Facebook.

Books, Banter & Cider with Nathaniel Rich
2026-09-04 17:00 - 19:00 | Broad Street Cider, 2723 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA, 70125, United States
Join us for one of our favorite pairings: good books, thoughtful conversation, and a glass (or two) of cider!
This month, we’re delighted to welcome Nathaniel Rich to talk about the inspiration behind his latest book, Cloudthief, the challenges of switching between fiction and non-fiction writing, and the themes that weave their way through his work.
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.
Pop-up begins at 5pm. Nathaniel Rich will be joining us at 6pm. Nathaniel’s books will be for sale during the event. He will sign copies at the event.

The Magic Mic
2026-09-03 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-08-27 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-08-20 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-08-13 20:00 - 22:30 | Poor Boys Bar, 1328 St Bernard Ave, New Orleans, L, 70116, United States
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!

Literary Night At The Coffeehouse
2026-09-03 19:00 - 21:00 | The Neutral Ground Coffee House, 5110 Danneel St, New Orleans, LA, 70115, United States
All poets, writers, rappers, spell spinners, whisperers, and lovers of the Spoken Word.
Open Mic Poet’s Night every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month.

Book Banter Featuring Lauren Rhoades
2026-09-03 18:00 - 18:30 | Virtual Author Event
Join us for a lively conversation with Lauren Rhoades, a writer, editor and grantmaker whose debut book, Split the Baby was released in 2025. Host, Rayna Nielsen will talk with Lauren about her connection to the south, her memoir, her upcoming projects and more.
Watch the live stream on YouTube Thursday, September 4 at 6pm central.

Poets on Poets
2026-09-02 21:00 - 23:30, 2026-08-26 21:00 - 23:30, 2026-08-19 21:00 - 23:30, 2026-08-12 21:00 - 23:30 | Cafe Istanbul, 2372 St Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70117, United States
Café Istanbul presents Poets on Poets every Wednesday 10:00 pm – 2:00 am.

Doors open for 9:00 pm.

$5 drinks all night long.

Pop-Up at Marigny Market
2026-08-29 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-22 17:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Marigny Farmer’s Market, 2624 Burgundy Street, New Orleans, 70117
We’re popping up at the Marigny Market!
Come out and browse a handpicked selection of books curated specifically for this event, all alongside beloved local farmers and makers. Grab some honey for your toast, veggies for your dinner and a book or two for your weekend.
Whether you’re looking for your next great read or just want to talk books, stop by and say hi.

Poetry and Espresso
2026-08-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Roots Plants and Coffee, 124 B Erlanger Avenue, Slidell, LA, 70458, United States
Poetry open mic with featured musicians, on the last Friday of every month. Solo musicians are also invited to play the open mic. Free admission. Please arrive early if you want to perform.
Five minute limit for poets. Seven to ten minutes for music open-mic singers and musicians.
Please arrive early to sign in!

The Storms We Carry: Katrina & Rita, A Reading
2026-08-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Parleaux Beer Lab, 634 Lesseps St., New Orleans, LA, 70117, United States
Join us at Parleaux Beer Lab for a special reading featuring contributors to Hurricanes Katrina & Rita at 20: An Anthology of Poetry and Art.
This collection brings together poetry and art that reflect on loss, memory, resilience, place, and the many ways we carry history with us. Hear directly from contributing writers and artists as they share their work and perspectives on the lasting impact of Katrina and Rita. This evening is an opportunity to listen, remember, reflect, and honor the voices that continue to tell our stories.
Hurricanes Katrina & Rita at 20 will be available for purchase during the event along with a a collection of carefully curated books.

Poetry and Espresso
2026-08-21 18:30 - 21:00 | LA
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!

Book Banter Featuring Annabelle Tometich & Raj Tawney
2026-08-20 18:00 - 18:30 | Virtual Author Event
Book Banter is back!
Join us for a lively conversation with Annabelle Tometich and Raj Tawney, two writers whose work explores family, belonging, and the complicated stories we inherit. Host, Rayna Nielsen will talk with Annabelle and Raj about their previous books, their upcoming projects and so much more.
Watch the live stream on YouTube Thursday, August 20th at 6pm central.

Evening Storytime
2026-08-14 18:00 - 18:30 | Parleaux Beer Lab, 634 Lesseps St., New Orleans, LA, 70117, United States
We’re heading to Parleaux Beer Lab for a cozy Evening Storytime!
Join us Friday, August 14 at 6pm as we read a couple of our favorite children’s stories. Settle in with a pint of Parleaux’s small-batch craft beer and a juice box for the little ones while enjoying a family-friendly reading.
After storytime, kids are invited to stick around for a fun craft activity inspired by the books.

LMNL Arts Presents: Shut Up & Write (Out Loud Edition)
2026-08-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Two Fish Books, 7265 St. Claude Ave., inside The Coffehouse, Arabi, 70032
Come out to Two Fish Books within (The Coffee House) on August 13 and hear some amazing work from an incredible group of writers.
