Inform arachne@madpoetry.org of any other cyclic or once-in-a-blue-moon events. We look forward to more slams!

First Sundays, 2 pm: Cheap Reads, The Fountain, 122 State St. (starts again in April)

Fourth Wednesdays, 6:30 pm: The Cardinal, 418 E. Wilson St. $3 cover.

Third Thursdays, 6:30–8 pm: Writer's Read Open Mike at the DeForest Public Library, hosted by Art Rathbun, Kathryn Sczepanski and James P. Roberts. Writer's Read meets every third Thursday at the DeForest Public Library, 203 Library Street, DeForest. (608) 846-5482.

Third Thursdays, 9–11 pm: Electric Earth Cafe, 546 W Washington, signup at 8:45 pm.

Second Fridays: Poetry reading and open mike at the Village Booksmith, 526 Oak St, Baraboo.

Second Saturdays, 7 pm: Word is Bond Poetry Slam. 5–6:30 pm free writing workshop. At Urban League of Madison, 2222 S. Park St. $5/$3 with high school ID.

Third Saturdays, 7 pm: Urban Spoken Word poetry slam and open mike, Genna’s on the Capitol square. $5 cover.

April

April 20, Saturday, 7 pm: Urban Spoken Word poetry slam and monthly open mic. The Urban Spoken Word Poetry Collective has consistently packed Genna’s upstairs room, displaying the best performance poets both locally and nationally. The poetry is passionate, funny, powerful and always entertaining; each slam is a competition wherein the competing poets can earn slots at this year’s Madison Slam Finals.Poetry slam is the art—and sport—of competitive poetry reading. Five judges are picked at random from the audience, and performers are judged based on content, delivery, form and originality. Each poet has three minutes, and cannot use props, costumes or music; it’s just the voice and the mic. Part poetry, part theater, part stand-up comedy, part oratory, slam is constantly-evolving form, and always entertaining. At Genna’s on the Capitol square. Contact David at urbanspokenword@gmail.com for more information. urbanspokenword.org

May

May 5, Sunday, 2 pm: Cheap Reads, a series of poetry open mics and featured readers at the Fountain Restaurant, 122 State St. Madison. Hosted by Gay Davidson-Zielske and Ron Czerwein, the reads will be in the back room of the restaurant/bar on first Sundays. There is no cover and anybody may sign up to read. Contact Gay at wipoet@aol.com for more information.

May 11, Saturday, 7–9 pm: Word is Bond Slam. 5–6:30 pm free writing workshop with Dan Vaughn. At Urban League of Madison, 2222 S. Park St. $5/$3 with high school ID. Founded out of the desire to create a more inclusive poetry slam & open mic by Sabrina “Heymiss Progress” Madison, the Word is Bond Poetry Slam located in Madison, WI is an inclusive environment that promotes the art of spoken word and the cultivating of community through the sharing of poetry, literary happenings, ideas, creative engagement, and artist collaborations. Word is Bond Poetry Slam will also provide local poets the opportunity to compete individually or as part of a team on the local, regional, and national levels. All are invited to participate in workshops and collaborative efforts. Please contact Sabrina "Heymiss Progress" Madison at wordisbondpoetryslam@gmail.com for more information and to join the email list. facebook.com/groups/WordIsBondPoetrySlam/

May 17, Friday, 8 pm: Poetry/Fiction Open Mike at Mother Fool’s on Willy St.

May 18, Saturday, 7 pm: Urban Spoken Word poetry slam FINALS THIS MONTH and monthly open mic. The Urban Spoken Word Poetry Collective has consistently packed Genna’s upstairs room, displaying the best performance poets both locally and nationally. The poetry is passionate, funny, powerful and always entertaining; each slam is a competition wherein the competing poets can earn slots at this year’s Madison Slam Finals.Poetry slam is the art—and sport—of competitive poetry reading. Five judges are picked at random from the audience, and performers are judged based on content, delivery, form and originality. Each poet has three minutes, and cannot use props, costumes or music; it’s just the voice and the mic. Part poetry, part theater, part stand-up comedy, part oratory, slam is constantly-evolving form, and always entertaining. At Genna’s on the Capitol square. Contact David at urbanspokenword@gmail.com for more information. urbanspokenword.org