Events

Look here to learn more about the community poetry events we host throughout the year. 

Upcoming


Writers Open Mic

Sunday, January 7, 4:00-5:00 PM CT

Writers Open Mic

Share 4-5 minutes of your original writing with an appreciative and supportive audience.

Learn More

PorchLight Hangouts

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2-4 pm
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2-4 pm

PorchLight Hangouts

Where all IC Speaks peeps meet up, hang out, and have fun.

Learn More

Previous Events


  • IC Speaks - Spoken Word Club
    Every Saturday

    IC Speaks - Spoken Word Club

    Spoken Word Club is a free weekly generative writing workshop for teen writers in Iowa City.

  • Write at the Stanley
    Sunday, November 26, in person

    Write at the Stanley

    Join us at the Stanley Museum of Art to generate new creative writing inspired by work in the collection.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for November: Nikki Ummel
    Sunday, Nov 19

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for November: Nikki Ummel

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Mic Check Poetry Fest 2023
    November 3-4

    Mic Check Poetry Fest 2023

    Danez Smith · Denice Frohman

    A two day celebration of spoken word poetry for those who seek the unmistakable feeling of community.

  • IC Speaks - High School Open Mic
    Sept. 26 ★ Oct. 24 ★ Nov. 21 ★ Dec. 19

    IC Speaks - High School Open Mic

    Come to share your creative work or enjoy the work of others!

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for October: Laura Johnson
    October 15, 5:30-7 Central

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for October: Laura Johnson

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Slam-O-Vision 2023
    Monday, October 2

    Slam-O-Vision 2023

    Slam poets from around Iowa are invited to participate in a special international slam event in Iowa City!

  • The Free Generative Writing Workshop for September: Sarah Minor
    Sunday, September 17

    The Free Generative Writing Workshop for September: Sarah Minor

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Joy Launch
    Sunday, September 10, 2-4 pm

    Joy Launch

    Join us for the launch of Joy the Zine, with Jennifer New, Chuy Renteria, Mackie Garret, Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey, and IC Speaks!

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for August: DJ Savarese
    Sunday, August 20

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for August: DJ Savarese

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • IC Speaks Slam Team Fundraiser
    Saturday, June 8, 3:30-5:00

    IC Speaks Slam Team Fundraiser

    Hear the team debut their poems for national competition!

  • poetry // infrastructure

    poetry // infrastructure

    The project asks: what collaborations emerge as we tap into these forms and re-enliven them as visual art on the city’s physical structures, as online posts, and as embodied performance in communal spaces?

  • Free Generative Writing Workshops for June: Sarah Rizzuto
    Sunday, June 18

    Free Generative Writing Workshops for June: Sarah Rizzuto

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Iowa City Poetry Alfresco 2023
    Saturday, April 29, 2023

    Iowa City Poetry Alfresco 2023

    An evening of open-air progressive poetry readings at various businesses and private residences in the Longfellow Neighborhood.

  • IC Speaks - High School Open Mic
    Tuesday, April 25

    IC Speaks - High School Open Mic

    Come to share your creative work or enjoy the work of others!

  • Virtual Poetry Book Club: Ebony Stewart
    Sunday, April 23, 5:30 CDT (3:30 P, 4:30 M, 6:30 E)

    Virtual Poetry Book Club: Ebony Stewart

    Join discussion leader Caleb Rainey to discuss 4 poems from Ebony Stewart's collection Blood Fresh

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for April: Nicole Vanderlinden
    Sunday, April 16

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for April: Nicole Vanderlinden

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Iowa City Poetry Table at I.C.E. C.R.E.A.M.
    Saturday, April 8, 2023

    Iowa City Poetry Table at I.C.E. C.R.E.A.M.

    Poetry zines and hand-bound artist books to oogle and buy

  • IC Speaks - High School Open Mic
    Tuesday, March 28

    IC Speaks - High School Open Mic

    Come to share your creative work or enjoy the work of others!

  • Iowa City IPA Poetry Slam Qualifier
    Thursday, March 23

    Iowa City IPA Poetry Slam Qualifier

    Poets, sign up to compete! Poetry lovers, join us for an amazing show!

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for March: Jennifer MacBain-Stephens
    Sunday, March 19

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for March: Jennifer MacBain-Stephens

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for February: Lisa K. Roberts
    February 19, 2023

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for February: Lisa K. Roberts

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for January: Darius Stewart
    January 15, 2023

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for January: Darius Stewart

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for November: Katie Runde
    Sunday, November 20, 5:30-7 CT

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for November: Katie Runde

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Virtual Poetry Book Club: Patricia Smith
    Sunday, November 20, 4-5 pm CT

    Virtual Poetry Book Club: Patricia Smith

    Join us for Virtual Poetry Book Club when we discuss "Incendiary Art," the award winning collection from revered poet Patricia Smith.

  • Mic Check Poetry Fest 2022
    November 11-12

    Mic Check Poetry Fest 2022

    Patricia Smith · Ebony Stewart

    A two day celebration of spoken word poetry for those who seek the unmistakable feeling of community.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for October: Skylar Alexander
    October 16

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for October: Skylar Alexander

    Every month a new writer leads a generative workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Grand Opening for Iowa City Poetry Library + UNESCO Global Poetry Slam
    Oct 15

    Grand Opening for Iowa City Poetry Library + UNESCO Global Poetry Slam

    Join us for the Grand Opening of the Iowa City Poetry Library, featuring a Global Poetry Slam from UNESCO City of Lit!

  • Family Fun at Close House
    Wednesdays, 3-5 pm, June 8 - August 17

    Family Fun at Close House

    Join us for storytime and wordplay this summer. New stories, books, and games featured each week!

  • Take Your Poet To Work Day!
    July 20

    Take Your Poet To Work Day!

    Take your favorite poet along with you today, using the coloring and cut out book from Tweatspeak

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for July: Jenny Colville
    July 17

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for July: Jenny Colville

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Apply Now: Intern Opportunity for Mic Check Poetry Fest
    Applications due by July 1

    Apply Now: Intern Opportunity for Mic Check Poetry Fest

    Applications accepted now for volunteer internship as Marketing Director for Mic Check Poetry Fest

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for June: Chad Abushanab
    Sunday, June 19, 5:30-7:00 PM CT

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for June: Chad Abushanab

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Dear City— micropoems as public engagement
    April & May

    Dear City— micropoems as public engagement

    What do you want to say to your city? Your micropoem can be a declaration of self-empowerment, a reminder to the powers that be. It can celebrate your city. It can ask a question. It can reveal a secret.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshop for May: The Editors of Backchannels Journal
    May 15

    Free Generative Writing Workshop for May: The Editors of Backchannels Journal

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • Iowa City Poetry Alfresco 2022
    April 30, 5-8 pm

    Iowa City Poetry Alfresco 2022

    Join us for an evening of open-air progressive readings at this socially distanced event on Saturday, April 30. All poets are invited to apply to read outdoors at various businesses and private residences in this celebration of poetry in our community.

  • Free Generative Writing Workshops for April: Cory Hutchinson-Reuss
    April 17

    Free Generative Writing Workshops for April: Cory Hutchinson-Reuss

    Every month a new writer leads a generative hybrid workshop, presenting a prompt inspired by their own preoccupations, passions, or interests.

  • April Poetry Party at Close House
    April 15

    April Poetry Party at Close House

    Food, drinks, & poems!

  • Online Literary Journals: Founding and Curating Inclusive Spaces
    April 14

    Online Literary Journals: Founding and Curating Inclusive Spaces

    An inside look at the challenges and opportunities of founding and managing online literary journals from the founding editors of Guesthouse, Honey Literary Inc., Annulet: A Journal of Poetics, and The Account.

  • Midwinter Day: A Reading to Benefit Bernadette Mayer
    Wednesday, December 22, 6-8 pm CT

    Midwinter Day: A Reading to Benefit Bernadette Mayer

    Join us to celebrate Midwinter Day and Bernadette Mayer at this reading and fundraiser with Iowa City Poetry and the Midwest Writing Center.

  • Mic Check Poetry Fest 2021
    November 5-7

    Mic Check Poetry Fest 2021

    A three day celebration of spoken word poetry for those who seek the unmistakable feeling of community.

  • Opening Week for Library!
    July 18, July 20, July 22

    Opening Week for Library!

    Stop by to browse and borrow poetry books from our new library.

  • IC Slam Team Fundraiser
    July 17

    IC Slam Team Fundraiser

    Come out to support the IC Slam Team as they prepare for State Competition!

  • Iowa City Poetry al Fresco 2021
    Evening of May 1

    Iowa City Poetry al Fresco 2021

    Join us for an evening of open-air progressive readings at this socially distanced event on Saturday, May 1. All poets are invited to apply to read outdoors at various businesses and private residences in this celebration of poetry in our community.

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