Performers Serve Literature, Music for InKY Reading Series at Bard's Town
On the second Friday of the month — except for during the summer — an eclectic crowd gathers for the InKY Reading Series at the Bard's Town in Louisville. The tattooed and the square-toed, country folk and city slickers, aging hippies and hip-hoppers. Most come to the InKY Reading Series at the Bard's Town simply to listen, but some itch for a spot at the open mic, and the intimate surroundings provide the perfect backdrop for a vicarious experience.
Now in its seventh season, the InKY Reading Series brings together nationally renowned and local writers and performers for an evening of literature and music. The open-mic portion of the program also gives up-and-comers a moment in the spotlight, making the literary community more inclusive and participatory. Nurturing emerging writers is part of InKY Inc.'s mission as a nonprofit organization, according to Lynnell Edwards, the current president and associate director.
"Our mission is to engage readers and writers through diverse and dynamic literary arts programming," says Edwards, a writer and associate professor at Spalding University. InKY, short for "In Kentucky," was founded by local poet and Courier-Jounal writer Erin Keane. In branching out to fulfill its mission, InKY recently launched a workshop series on Saturday mornings following the Friday-night readings. In addition, work is under way to launch a small literary festival this fall in Louisville.
Admission to the monthly reading series is free. The next show, scheduled for March 11, features Karen McElmurray, whose latest novel is The Motel of the Stars (Sarabande Books), and Keith Banner, the cofounder of Visionaries & Voices and Thunder-Sky Inc., two nonprofit arts organizations in Cincinnati. Copies of the authors' books and other items will be available for sale courtesy of Carmichael's Bookstore.
Music will be provided by Joel Henderson, who blends standards and modern sensibilities, mixing folk, country, jazz and early American pop influences.
HelloLouisville Tip: Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bard's Town, 1801 Bardstown Road. Enjoy discount prices on drinks before open mic, which starts at 7 p.m. Live music runs from 7:30 to 8 p.m., and featured readers will be on stage from 8 to 9 p.m.
Posted on Feb 28, 2011 by Bobbi Buchanan
