Sewanee Spoken Word

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026 where : the back room at Shenanigans theme : SUPERSTITION prompt for performers : Have fun with an old one or make up a new one. Then, in five minutes or less, let it rip.  feel free to: * Ignore or mock the theme and prompt. * Show off your own work or someone else’s. * Stray far beyond the bounds of poetry. * Invite friends.

We are on a break until the 3rd Teusday in August when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2026 where : Shenanigans (optional) theme : To Be Announce

  when: 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026 where : upstairs at  Shenanigans (optional) theme : MISPLACED (optional) prompt for performers : Where did I leave that cheap and precious little thing? Alternatively: Why did I trust the untrustworthy? Speculate, please, for five minutes or less.  

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2026 where : upstairs at  Shenanigans theme : EXCUSES, EXCUSES prompt for performers : We are desperately seeking ludicrous alibis, dodges, justifications and the like.  notes :  * Richard Tillinghast will be our special guest. * Expect a very full house — so keep your turn short (five minutes max) and sweet. * Feel free to ignore the theme and prompt. — Brooks

when: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026  where: the expansive upstairs confines of Shenanigans   theme: MISSIVES  note for performers: As the Sewanee School of Letters reconvenes, we invite you to write longhand to someone you've never had the nerve to write to before. We'll be waiting to hear the message (up to five minutes' worth, anyway).  aftermath: The back room may be open for folks who want to stick around once our readings are done. UPDATE * There will be a musical surprise or two at Tuesday's gathering.  * Local author  Beth Riner  will be signing copies of her new humorous mystery,   A Deadly Development , from 1 to 3 p.m. today (Saturday, June 6) at the university bookstore.  

when: doors open at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2026; readings start at our usual time of 7 p.m. where: Sounding Stone Gallery , in Monteagle  notes: * We're gathering outside Sewanee for the first time — seeking inspiration in the gallery's show, "To Tell A Yarn: Stories in Fiber & Cloth."  * We’re starting early so you can take in the art and meet artists and try writing something on the spur of the moment. * Food and drink will be provided. * Please let me know if you are interested in carpooling or contributing to refreshments. —Brooks

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026 where : the enchanted back room at  Shenanigans theme : AFTERLIFE prompt for performers : Tell us what comes next. We are dying to know.  please :  * Feel free to ignore the theme. * Bring a friend. * Share your own work or someone else’s — poetry or prose or song or whatever — just keep your turn under five minutes.

  when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026 where : the wayback room at Shenanigans, in downtown Sewanee, TN, USA theme : AS IF prompt for performers : Put yourself in the bug’s place (for 300 seconds or so). please :  * Feel free to ignore the theme and prompt. * Bring a friend. * Share your own work or someone else’s — poetry or prose or song or whatever .... — Brooks

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025  where : the mysterious back room at Shenanigans, in downtown Sewanee, TN, USA theme : ORACLE prompt for performers : Ask the rock a messy question. Suggest a cryptic answer. Or just roll the damn thing back up the hill again. yes, please: * Feel free to ignore or mock the theme and prompt. * Keep your turn under five minutes. * Remember that we welcome a wide range of creative expression; we’re not just about poetry.  — Brooks  Post settings Labels No matching suggestions Published on 12/18/25 9:41 PM Permalink Location Options Post: Edit Loaded more posts.

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 where : the atmospheric but not smoky back room at  Shenanigans theme : BEHOLD prompt for performers : Take something short that you've already written — and rewrite it from a wildly different point of view. Then let us hear the results. yes, please: * Feel free to ignore or mock the theme and prompt. * Keep your turn under five minutes. * Remember that we welcome a wide range of creative expression; we’re not just about poetry.      Post settings Labels No matching suggestions Published on 12/5/25 10:21 PM Permalink Location Options Post: Edit Loaded more posts.

​ when: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025  where: the cozy back room at Shenanigans, in Sewanee, TN, USA ​ (optional)  theme: SIMPLE REQUESTS  prompt for performers: Write an appeal to your imaginary customers. And tell us where you'd post it.    please:  * Keep your turn under five minutes.  * Perform your own work or someone else’s.  * Remember that we welcome a wide range of creative expression; we’re not just about poetry.  * Let me know if you plan to attend.  — Brooks Egerton Post settings Labels No matching suggestions Published on 11/7/25 7:17 PM Permalink Location Options Post: Edit Loaded more posts.

when : 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025 where : the Blue Chair Cafe, Sewanee, TN, USA theme : LIFTOFF prompt for performers : How do we free ourselves from everyday constraints? Please bring instructions.  yes, please: * Keep your turn under five minutes. * Perform your own work or someone else’s. * Feel free to ignore or mock the theme. * Remember that we welcome a wide range of creative expression; we’re not just about poetry.  * Let me know if you plan to attend. — Brooks Egerton

Our next gathering isn ’ t until Oct. 14 —  so I’m recommending this event in the  meantime:  when : 4:30 p.m. Monday, October 6, 2025 where :  McGriff Alumni House what:  Robert  Wood Lynn reads from his collection  Mothman Apologia , which made a  New York Times  list of  best poetry of 2022 . Post settings Labels No matching suggestions Published on 10/1/25 9:39 PM Permalink Location Options Post: Edit Loaded more posts.