GREENFIELD — Keeping Riley relevant is mission number one for Stacey Poe, event coordinator for the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum. And what more fitting way to remember Greenfield’s poet laureate than to host a poetry open mic night, slated for 6:30 p.m. April 9 out back of the Riley Home, 250 W. Main St., in Elizabuth Ann’s Kitchen.
The evening event will introduce the community to contemporary voices of poetry as well as pay homage to the timeless rhymes of Riley.
To make things happen, Poe enlisted the help of Riley Festival committee member Sharon Beemer. Beemer was happy to oblige. Beemer, who said she is supportive of anything creative happening in Greenfield, agreed it would be a wonderful way to reach people.
“I would love to have my name attached to it,” Beemer said. “An event to be proud of.”
Beemer pointed out that the appropriately-scheduled event will help commemorate April as National Poetry Month.
Beemer also cites the symbolism of spring as a time of new beginnings.
“It’s a time for regenerating Greenfield,” Beemer said, “to let people know there are things to do out there.”
An open-mic poetry night is a casual event open to anyone who wishes to participate. People have registered in advance, but walk-ins are welcome, too. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Food and drink are available, and attendees may sign up to win spring-inspired door prizes.
Beemer, who enjoys crafting in addition to poetry, has assembled some decorated baskets as give-away items.
The first half hour, Beemer explained, is unstructured time.
“People can review their poems, get some refreshments, do a little meet and greet and get comfortable,” Beemer said.
At 7 p.m., the reading will start. People will read in random order.
“Readers should give their names, the names of their poems, and share with us why it’s important,” Beemer said.
The poems don’t have to be original; and readers are allowed to read as many poems as they want to.
Beemer, who enjoys poetry and playing music, plans to read a poem or two of her own. A poem she wrote for her husband for their 25th wedding anniversary, which was published on the National Poetry Society website in the early 1990s, will be her addition to the evening’s recitations.
At first, Susan Winer thought she would just attend to sit and enjoy the poetry, but now she plans to participate. She hasn’t yet decided if she’s going to read a favorite poem written by someone else or write something original.
Winer recently spent a long stretch of time hospitalized with COVID-19.
“It was a life-altering experience,” Winer said. “I might write about that.”
With 10 poets already signed up to read, organizers are hoping for a successful event with both readers and an audience.
“I’m just excited to be a part of it,” Winer said, “and to see it all come together.”
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The James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum, 250 W. Main St., will host an open-mic poetry event from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 9. Poets who wish to present may pre-register at 317-462-8539, but walk-ins are also welcome. Those reading may read a favorite poem by another author or read an original poem.
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