Love and literature is in the air! If you’re looking for something to do in February, here are some upcoming literary events* that may pique your interest!
- February 1, 2025 Visiting Writers Series: Writing Workshop with Huascar Medina
University of Nebraska-Kearney, Thomas Hall Atrium, 2404 11th Ave.
Kearney, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Kansas Poet Laureate Emeritus Huascar Medina leads this free, all-ages writing workshop. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, all are welcome (Recommended for ages 16+). Space is limited to 30 participants, register to secure your spot. - February 1, 2025 Author Robert A Rieck Jr. at Barnes & Noble
Barnes & Noble, 2910 Pine Lake Rd.
Lincoln, 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Come meet and support local author Robert A Rieck Jr as he reveals to the world his autobiography SPOKEN: A Memoir Sprinkled with a Little Quadriplegia (paperback, hardback and ebook)! The book signing/meet & greet will have individual vegan snacks courtesy of Natural Grocers. , all of what would be the author’s profits from book sales goes directly to the nonprofit “Twenty-One January: A Farm Rescued” animal sanctuary. - February 2, 2025 Salon Reading Series: “The Body”
Turbine Flats, 2124 Y St.
Lincoln, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Each Salon Reading Series event features a reading of a play followed by a moderated discussion of the play’s themes and how these themes apply to the community. The theme for 2024-25 is “Hold On.” This theme will explore concepts of holding on and letting go. This month is The Body by Steve Moulds. Part domestic drama, part surreal thriller, The Body lives in that space between reality and dreams, where the things that haunt us most come from within. - February 4, 2025 Lisa Fay Coutley Poetry Reading & Discussion
Zoom, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Host explores parasitic relationships — between men and women, sons and mothers, and humans and the earth — and considers their consequences. How much control do we have over our lives? To what extent are we being controlled? - February 4-8, 2025 Kearney Area Storytelling Festival: Winter Tales
Kearney
Come see the Kearney Area Storytelling Festival, where you’re invited to come hear professional storytellers—along with area tellers—present the art of storytelling in many area venues. Featured speakers will be Don White and Geraldine Buckley. See the full event schedule with times and locations here. - February 5, 2025 Salon Reading Series: “The Body”
Eastmont Living Performing Arts Center, 6315 O St.
Lincoln, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Each Salon Reading Series event features a reading of a play followed by a moderated discussion of the play’s themes and how these themes apply to the community. The theme for 2024-25 is “Hold On.” This theme will explore concepts of holding on and letting go. This month is The Body by Steve Moulds. Part domestic drama, part surreal thriller, The Body lives in that space between reality and dreams, where the things that haunt us most come from within. - February 6, 2025 Verse & Vibes Open Mic Night
Indigo Cottage Crafts, 2063 Creekside Dr.
Papillion, 6:30 pm
The first Thursday of every month we open the mic at an artsy space full of good vibes, and not just because of the coffee and liquor bar! Event is open to poets, authors, writers, musicians, anyone who has talent to share. Free event. - February 7, 2025 First Friday Book Talk & Reading with Susan Aizenberg
Zoom, 12:00 pm
Susan Aizenberg is the author of three full-length poetry collections: A Walk with Frank O’Hara: Poems, Quiet City, and Muse. Her awards include a Crab Orchard Poetry Series Award, the VCU Levis Reading Prize, a Distinguished Artist Fellowship and two Individual Artist Fellowships from the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Book Award in Poetry, and the Mari Sandoz Award from the Nebraska Library Association. - February 13, 2025 Resonance Beat Poetry Jam
Razor Wire Productions Art Gallery & Tattoo, 1808 Vinton St.
Omaha, 7:00 pm
Wanna try your hand at pairing your writing with music? Or maybe you’ve just never had the sublime experience of hearing the fusion? Either way, we would like to invite you! Named The Resonance for the beautiful ways these artforms play off one another. Sponsored by the Nebraska Poetry Society. - February 13, 2025 On Writing Presents: Kim Louise
Benson Theatre, 6054 Maple St.
Omaha, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Every second Tuesday of the month, join us in the lobby, alongside our partner The Book Nook, and participate in an engaging live reading with a local or nationally recognized writer, playwright, or poet. Peruse the curated offerings from the Book Nook, have a drink, and stay for the Q and A. This month join us in conversation with local playwright and author, Kim Louise! A native Omahan, Kim has penned over eleven novels and five novellas, writing for Kensington Press (BET Books), Genesis Press, and Harlequin Enterprises and earned a spot on Amazon’s bestseller’s list for mass market fiction. Her poetry has been published by the Cathartic Literary Journal and Third World Press. - February 14, 2025 Poetry Readings at The Lion: Poetry Feature and Open Mic with John Philip Johnson
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Campus, 1309 R St.
Lincoln, 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Poet John Philip Johnson studied at University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he was the first editor of the UNL undergraduate literary magazine, The Laurus. His poems have appeared in many journals and magazines. He lives in Nebraska, and has work in or forthcoming from Southern Poetry Review, Image, Rattle, Strange Horizons, Pedestal, Rust & Moth, Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, the newspaper column, “American Life in Poetry,” and many other places. He has two comic books of graphic poetry, Stairs Appear in a Hole Outside of Town and The Book of Fly, the latter which won an Elgin Award. - February 15, 2025 VeRBal GuMBo presents “Just Getting Our Desserts!”
North Omaha Music Academy (KVNO), 2510 N 24th St.
Omaha, 8:00 - 11:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate, Foxy Troxy and WithloveFelicia’s, John Heatson Cultural Stewadship Award from the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards through a night of spoken word poetry, music, and good vibes! Get ready to indulge in some sweet treats for your ears as local poets share their stories and talents on stage. Whether you’re a poetry enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, this event is sure to satisfy your cravings for creativity. For ages 21+. - February 20, 2025 Vocal Fry
Shirley Tyree Theater, 2401 N 24th St.
Omaha, 6:00 pm
Vocal Fry is normally on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Jewel Rodgers and Nathan Lachner, MCs. Special Feature: Allen Stevenson. Vocal Fry is presented in collaboration with The Nebraska Poetry Society. - February 22, 2025 Hybridity: Poems that Cross the Line with MK Chavez
Zoom, 10:00 – 11:30 am
By engaging with the fluid and transformative nature of hybrid forms, we’ll delve into how our identities can be authentically reflected in our writing. Participants will create works that capture the richness of their experiences, exploring themes of identity, place, and the self in all its dimensons. Led by MK Chavez. - February 22, 2025 Visiting Authors: Poetry Reading with Carolina Hotchandani and Maria Zoccola
Francie & Finch Bookshop, 130 S 13th St.
Lincoln, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Join us as we welcome poets Carolina Hotchandani and Maria Zoccola! Carolina will be pulling from her award-winning anthology of poetry from the last few years, and Maria will be reading from her debut poetry collection Helen of Troy, 1993: Poems.
Check out the NCB Calendar to stay up to date on upcoming literary events happening near you!
*The time, date, and location of these events are subject to change.
Some of this month’s events, workshops, or conferences may require registration or charge a fee.
Feel free to contact us if you have an event that you would like to be featured.