Lubeznik Center for the Arts (LCA) will host its annual First Friday Poetry Slam on Friday, March 7, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. Central.
At this year's Poetry Slam, the family of Kathleen Marie (1955-2024) is honoring her memory and great love of poetry. "Kathi" was the mother of Samuel Lubeznik (Erika) and Jesse Lubeznik-Tunstall (DuShawn), as well as a beloved sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. Please join us as we raise a glass and toast the memory of Kathi Marie, whose favorite poets were William Shakespeare and Bob Dylan. Her family will say a few words and treat the audience to one of her poems.
The Poetry Slam will begin with an open mic inviting performers to share their original poetry or favorite poems by other authors. Next, audience members will have the chance to become a poet themselves with a fill-in-the-blank poem, themed for the occasion. The slam will conclude with the Dumb Rhyming Word Game, made famous at the Green Mill.
Marc Kelly Smith, the founder of the Poetry Slam movement, will be back to host the event. As stated in the PBS television series, The United States of Poetry, a "strand of new poetry began at Chicago's Green Mill Tavern in 1987 when Marc Smith found a home for the Poetry Slam." Since then, performance poetry has spread throughout the world, exported to over 1000 cities large and small.
Admission is free, and poetry readings will begin at 5 p.m. Central. All are welcome to cheer on the performers, explore LCA’s art exhibitions and enjoy the cash bar and complimentary light refreshments. Poets interested in participating in LCA's Poetry Slam should prepare poems under three minutes in length and register by contacting Jessie Sexton at 219-874-4900 ext. 107 or jsexton@lubeznikcenter.org. Spots are limited, so call or email today!
