LWR April 2025 News & Events
- Lexington Writer's Room
- Apr 5
- 8 min read
Happy National Poetry Month! There are sooo many literary events in April! We hope you can carve some time away from your writing to attend at least one and still meet your goals this month.
Poem in Your Pocket Day is Thursday, April 10. Celebrate by selecting a poem, carry-ing it with you, and sharing it with others throughout the day at your school or workplaces, or at the bookstore, library, park, or any other place you go, and sharing on social media using the hashtag #PocketPoem. Here’s an activity guide.
Happening at the Writer’s Room
Tuesday, April 8 & 22 at 7pm
Meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Hosted by member Geoff White. This is both a generative and critique workshop. Please bring your favorite writing devices! Also, bring copies of a poem you’d like to have critiqued. Non-members are welcome!
Thursday, April 10 at 6:30pm
Join member Leah Bomar to celebrate the Lexington launch of An Act of Recognition, a poetry anthology published by GlitterBomb Books. The authors will read selected passages. More details here on Facebook. Click the EventBrite link to reserve your tickets.
An Evening With Cecilia Woloch
Thursday, April 17 at 7pm
Join Kentucky poet Cecilia Woloch to hear selections from her latest work Labor: The Testimony of Ted Gall, published in November 2024 by Accents Publishing. Maurice Manning will also read and provide musical accompaniment. More information will be available soon.
Saturday, April 12 from 10am to 4pm
Join us in the space from 10am until 4pm. You can attend for part or all of the write-in. Around mid-day we’ll pause writing to do introductions and network. Feel free to bring your own baloney sandwich or whatever you prefer. Around 3pm, we’ll do optional readings in the main room. Please RSVP to this event.
Wednesday, April 30 at 7pm
Join us to discuss the graphic novel, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.
Happening Around Town
Various short quotes from Lexington poets will be printed on the coffee cup wraps placed around paper cups. The wraps are free to customers throughout the month. A 250LEX “Collectible!” Participating Lexington Coffee Shops — Cup of Commonwealth, Kenwick Table, High on Art and Coffee, 3rd Street Stuff, Manchester Coffee, Leestown Coffee, Coffee Times Coffee House, and Nate’s Coffee are participating.
250LEX: Lexington Literature – An Historical Exhibit
The Lexington Public Library is celebrating our written word! For the month of April, examples of the library’s extensive archival newspaper collection will be on display at Central, featuring issues of the oldest Kentucky newspaper dating back to 1787, The Kentucky Gazette, Cassius Clay’s abolitionist newspaper The True American, and other local almanacs, music scores, and publications from the 18th through 20th centuries. We’re featuring local political propaganda and IBM materials from the Lexington History Museum.
Wednesday, April 2 at 6pm at Kenwick Table
Time to launch National Poetry Month! Sign ups for open mic at 5:30. Show begins at 6. Arrive early to get something to eat, to drink, to find a good seat. This is going to be an exciting evening of spoken word. This month’s featured readers are Alissa Sammarco and Matthew Sidney Parsons. See you there, friends!
Saturday, April 5 at 2pm at Central Library, Farish Theater
As Lexington turns 250, we are celebrating its rich literary history along with former Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon. A native of Harlan County, Lyon is a celebrated author and teacher who believes that poetry belongs to everyone. She has published award-winning books for readers of all ages, and her poem, “Where I’m From,” has been used as a writing model around the world. George Ella invites you to hear her read and discuss her work, and to join in creating a “Where We’re From” poem together.
Monday, April 7 & 21 at 6pm at Joseph Beth Booksellers meeting room
Hosted by Liz Carey and Shelley Roberts Bendall. Writers of all genres are welcome–they're actively looking for new members! The group meets on the first and third Monday of each month. Contact Shelley at shelleyrbendall@gmail.com if you have questions.
Tuesday, April 8 at 6:30pm at The Kentucky Theatre
A free celebration of Lexington's literary heritage, featuring local authors, performers, and poet laureates. Hosted by the City of Lexington, 21c Museum Hotel, the Carnegie Center, and others.
Hear from award-winning authors and Kentucky Poet Laureates, including Silas House, George Ella Lyon, Jeff Worley, Frank X Walker, Katerina Stoykova, Eva Alcaraz-Monje, Nikky Finney, and Danni Quintos. Enjoy performances by Tony Wavy, DeBraun Thomas, Blackbird Dance Theatre, and a scene from Silas House's play, Our Confederate Cousin, and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Lexington's literary legacy.
This event is hosted by the City of Lexington in partnership with the Lexington Public Library, 21c Museum Hotel, Institute 193, Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning, and the Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center.
More information can be found at The 250 Lex website.
Wednesday, April 9 at 5pm at Northside Branch Library, Large Meeting Room
Join us for an intimate conversation with renowned poet and professor, Nikky Finney. Renowned poet and professor Nikky Finney has spent her career illuminating the Southern cultural and political heritage of Black people in ways that resonate throughout the country and world. Her ongoing legacy of poignant expression, indomitable truth, and devotion to social justice has enriched the country and world. Join us for this rare opportunity as part of the 250 LEX events to hear about her journey as a writer and becoming an award winning literary icon. Book signing will be available after the event. No registration required.
Saturday, April 12 at 10am at Eastside Branch Library, Large Meeting Room
Join writer, former CEO, lawyer, and restaurateur Sylvia Lovely in an interactive writing workshop! How better to celebrate Lexington’s 250th anniversary than recalling and recording your favorite Lexington stories? Sylvia Lovely will provide prompts and guidance to help you dig out those memories and turn them into the stories of celebration.
Sunday, April 13 at 2pm at Beaumont Branch Library, Large Meeting Room
Join us for an author talk featuring two Kentucky authors - Wes Blake and Rick Childers! Both authors will discuss their careers and read selections from their works. Learn more about Wes Blake here and more about Rick Childers here.
Tuesday, April 15 at 6:30pm at the Carnegie Center
Featuring the Kentucky Poets Laureate from Lexington: Silas House, George Ella Lyon, Gurney Norman (read by Richard Taylor), Frank X Walker, Crystal Wilkinson and Jeff Worley. Emceed by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Richard Taylor. Volunteers are needed for this event! Visit the Signup Genius link to register.
Wednesday, April 16 at 5pm at Northside Branch Library, Classroom
Join us at Northside to celebrate Lexington's talent with live performances from local musicians and poets. The pieces, inspired by the city, will honor Lexington’s history and culture for 250Lex, with live performances by: Maya Mccutchen (Violinist), Rocforshort (Hip Hop), Marley Carter (Hop Hop), Lando (Hip-Hop), and Anonimuss Rose (Singer/R&B/Neo-Soul/Country/Poet). Hosted by Tony Wavy.
Thursday, April 17 at 7pm at the Carnegie Center
The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative’s BURN THE MIC series, hosted by Affrilachian poet JC McPherson, is a vibrant platform amplifying the voices and creativity of writers and spoken word artists in the heart of Kentucky. This dynamic series provides a welcoming space for poets, storytellers, and wordsmiths to share their narratives, fostering a sense of community and celebration. Sign ups start at 6:30pm.
Tuesday, April 22 at 6:30pm
Hosted by Ruth González Jiménez, director of L.A.C.E. at BCTC. Featuring Katerina Stoykova, editor of Accents Publishing. There will be readings from multilingual poets, a visual art exhibit and a silent auction. Benefitting Kentucky Refugee Ministries.
Wednesday, April 23 at 5pm at Marksbury Family Branch Library, First Floor Paseo
Join us at Marksbury to celebrate Lexington's talent with live performances from local musicians and poets. The pieces, inspired by the city, will honor Lexington?s history and culture for 250Lex, with live performances by: Jatheking (Hip-Hop), Khame' (Poet/Singer/Soul/ R&B), and Solesurviva (Poetry/ Spokenword). Hosted by Tony Wavy.
Saturday, April 26 at 1pm at Northside Branch Library, Classroom
Come to Northside Library with any written work you would like to be workshopped by other local writers! Bring your short story, chapter of a working novel, fanfiction, or poem that you would like to receive general feedback. Registration is required.
Monday, April 28 at 6pm at the Loudon House
The Kentucky State Poetry Society invites you to an eclectic and dynamic poetry reading. Members and nonmembers alike, come, mingle, share a poem, and celebrate our literary community, National Poetry Month and Lexington’s 250th anniversary!
Monday, April 28 at 8pm at Kentucky Native Cafe
Free parking is available at 446 East High Street (look for the Kentucky Native Café sign). Limited parking is also available at Michler's main entrance at 417 East Maxwell Street. Kentucky Native Café is typically closed Mondays; readings begin at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7:30 p.m. This month’s featured readers are Allegra Solomon, a fiction writer from Columbus, Ohio, and Alfonso Zapata, a poet living in Lexington, Kentucky.
Wednesday, April 30 at 5pm at Tates Creek Branch Library
Join us at Tates Creek to celebrate Lexington's talent with live performances from local musicians and poets. The pieces, inspired by the city, will honor Lexington’s history and culture for 250Lex, with live performances by: Aaron Akadil (Poetry), Lunaversol (Pop/R&B/Guitar), and Danny Whacko (Hip-Hop/ Poetry). Hosted by Tony Wavy.
Happening Around the State
Thursday, April 3 at 6pm at Paul Sawyier Public Library
Using historic research, plus the poetic genius of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906), Mitch Capel unveils the true depth of the soul and life of this remarkable poet laureate in We Wear the Mask.
Tuesday, April 22, at 6pm at Paul Sawyier Public Library
Join us as we celebrate National Poetry Month with readings by Kentucky poets David Cazden and Samantha Ratcliffe. (Other readers to be announced.) A signing will follow with books available for purchase. Sponsored by Broadstone Books and PSPL.
Thursday, April 24 at 10am at Eastern Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort, KY
The public is invited to attend the 2025 Writers’ Day activities in Frankfort on April 24. Kentucky Writers’ Day is an annual celebration on or around the birthday of Kentucky writer Robert Penn Warren, the first United States Poet Laureate. The Writers’ Day celebration was established in 1990, and poets laureate are inducted in odd-numbered years.
This year’s Kentucky Writers’ Day and Poet Laureate Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 24, at 10 a.m. Eastern in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort. A public reception will follow.
This year’s Writers’ Day ceremony will include readings by the new 2025-2026 Kentucky Poet Laureate, 2023-2024 poet laureate Silas House, former poets laureate, and the 2024 Kentucky Youth Poet Laureate Maira Faisal, a junior atNorthern Kentucky University.
Thursday, April 24 at 2pm at Paul Sawyier Public Library in Frankfort, KY
Continue your celebration of Kentucky Writers' Day with PSPL as we host a reading by past Kentucky Poets Laureate Richard Taylor, Joe Survant, Sena Jeter Naslund, Maureen Morehead, Frank X Walker, George Ella Lyon, Jeff Worley, Silas House, and the soon-to-be announced 2025-2026 Kentucky Poet.
Saturday, April 26 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at KSU Research Farm in Frankfort, KY
Bluegrass Writers Coalition Conference of Writers has something for you with a super lineup of presenters. This is your chance to learn from other authors, publishers, and agents and get motivated to take your writing goals to the next level.
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