By james art Could poetry events be the key to revitalizing a weeknight? These groups and eateries give it a shot.
Chain controls on I-80 and the continued frost that wiped out flowers in the summer have returned to Northern Nevada this fall season. So, cozy activities that minimize time spent in the cold are officially back in style.
Reno’s poetry scene may be the secret to feeling busy and cozy, especially on a weeknight. Monday Night Poetry is holding its weekly open mic conversation on, you guessed it, Monday, Nov. 1 at Shim’s Surplus Supplies Co., 125 W. Third St.
For those under 21 or those who prefer to hear the spoken word in a restaurant setting, Brushfire are holding their monthly open mic on Tuesday, November 5 at Laughing Planet, 941 N. Virginia St.
Ranch bottles, fairies, cats and vampires were just a few of the costumes donned by attendees at Brushfire’s latest poetry night. Since 1950 Brushfire is the arts magazine of the University of Nevada, Reno—and the students who run it take pride in what they do.
“I’m proud every time we have this event because we always get people who say, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever shared something I’ve written with someone,'” Cheyenne McGregor said. She is Brushfire’s literary editor and host of its poetry event, held on the first Tuesday of the month at Laughing Planet, across from the university.
“It makes me so happy to hear people talk about poetry and bring their poetry for the first time,” she said as students filed into the upstairs loft with plates full of vegetarian food and local drinks in hand. “I love hearing people’s perspectives and I love seeing how people are brave enough to be here.”
McGregor began writing poetry to ease her teenage angst after her first breakup at 14. Now, as a university student planning to become a high school English teacher, she hopes to share the catharsis she’s found with teenagers, in need of a healthy exit.
So, she serves as co-director of the True Colors Poetry Group alongside Reno Poet Laureate Jesse James Ziegler. True Colors hosts events twice a month at Our Center, an LGBTQ+ community center in Reno. These events are unique because they offer an all-ages space for workshops, discussions and poetry sharing.
This casual and welcoming environment makes it easy for attendees to share their “often gay teenage poetry that you’ve written in your notes app,” McGregor said.
Another attraction of these poetry events is their location. The proximity of Brushfire’s open mic nights to campus draws UNR students to the venue on a typically slow evening and fosters goodwill among students — who may remember how much they enjoyed the Harvest Bowl the next time they need a snack between classes .
“This is my first time coming here. It’s pretty chill,” said Michael Nubel, a freshman on the varsity. “I didn’t know you could order real food here and stuff. The only time I’ve ever really seen this place was when I went to Insomnia Cookies… So depending on how things go, I’ll be back in November,” he said.
But the location is even more important for Reno’s most frequent poetry event – Monday Night Poetry – held every Monday at Shim’s.
Holding the event at the bar increases attendance because people can simply listen to poetry while enjoying a drink without feeling pressured to share, Ziegler said. He is the creative director of MNP.
The partnership between MNP and Shim’s is a perfect fit because it gives Shim’s a way to fill the slots and provides MNP with a weekly slot for free, Ziegler said. But he expects the partnership to improve as MNP attendance increases as the weather cools and people seek cozy entertainment and atmosphere.
“I’m incredibly proud of the poets in this community,” he said. “There is so much incredible talent in this field. I’m just glad to be a part of it.”