In collaboration with Poets Against Racism & Hate USA, Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler will be presenting a pop-up Indiana Chitlin Circuit poetry reading event from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Bartholomew County Public Library’s Red Room.
Born and raised in Gary, Crisler has published several poetry books and chapbooks in addition to YA novels, according to his website. Throughout his laureateship, Crisler has presented events around the state based on the historical Chitlin Circuit, a network of entertainment venues where African American performers could take the stage during Jim Crow segregation, according to a press release.
The event will include an organic round robin where poets will play off one another’s work, followed by solo sets, a collaborative reading and a Q&A session.
Joining Crisler will be Indiana Beat Poet Laureate and Poets Against Racism & Hate USA member Chris Dean and National Lifetime Beat Poet Laureate Ron Whitehead. Poets Against Racism & Hate USA co-founder Debbie Allen will also provide information about the organization.
For more information about Poets Against Racism & Hate USA, visit poetsagainstracism-usa.org.
