Category: News

Matt’s Events for July and Early August

So what am I up to the rest of this summer? Well, lots! I was just in Broken Bow for a library event (the photo is from along the drive there), and I’m excited for a few things coming up. As ever, refer me to your local schools and libraries and businesses, this is the work I love:

July 3
I have a segment on Poets on the Plains, a weekly segment broadcast on High Plains Public Radio (but you can hear it at the link whenever you like). This week, I talk about a poem by Sarah McKinstry-Brown:
https://www.hppr.org/podcast/hppr-poets-on-the-plains

July 18
I give the Graduation Address to University High School in Lincoln. This is my first actual graduation address (I don’t count the poem “Graduation Address to the Kinder Kingdom Awesome Tots Preschool Class of 2023” in Rock Stars).

July 20
2:30-3, As part of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, I lead a writing workshop at the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln (12th and R Sts).

July 24
7pm, I lead an online Button 101 Poetry Workshop, Rock Stars Mix Tape. Register for this and other great workshops at: https://buttonpoetry.com/products/workshops/

July 26
7-9pm, As part of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, I Read at the Sheldon Museum of Art (12th and R Sts, Lincoln) along with Jewel Rodgers and music acts.

July 27
8-10pm, As part of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, I Read at the Gene Leahy Mall (11th and Douglas Sts, Omaha) along with Jewel Rodgers and music acts.

August 2
–12:30-1pm, As part of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, I lead a storytelling/poetry workshop for young people, 4th grade and older at the Joslyn Art Museum in the Founders Room (2200 Douglas St, Omaha). And then:
–1:30-2:00pm, performance by current Nebraska Poet Jewel Rodgers and Matt Mason, also in the Joslyn’s Founders Room.

August 3
1-4pm, I Emcee the 60th Annual Neihardt Day at The John G. Neihardt State Historic Site (306 W Elm St, Bancroft):
https://www.neihardtcenter.org/events/60th-annual-neihardt-day

August 7
I have a segment on Poets on the Plains, a weekly segment broadcast on High Plains Public Radio (but you can hear it at the link whenever you like). This week, I talk about a poem by Nebraska poet JV Brummels:
https://www.hppr.org/podcast/hppr-poets-on-the-plains

August 7
6-7pm, I lead a writing workshop as part of Nights at The Joslyn, a 5-8 PM community program at the Joslyn Art Museum (2200 Douglas St, Omaha).

In the meantime, enjoy some poetry this July. Buy poetry books, go to poetry events, review poetry books online, sing poets praises, live the poetry dream!

I’ll be on Rattle Magazine’s Rattlecast this Sunday night

Tune in Sunday night, June 8th, 7pm Central for the weekly Rattlecast where I’ll be talking poetry and reading a few poems. Catch it live or watch later at: https://www.youtube.com/live/-dhiv84_hE4

June 28 Workshop (and a podcast interview)

I’m featured on Advocacy Is Medicine, the most recent Nebraska Alliance for Physician Advocacy podcast, talking about what I’ve been up to lately. Also, I’m leading a writing workshop for them on June 28th, it’s open to the public (registration required) so please join us!

To register, go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScl_quSkpqbrq1P-xyzODZHK_XXI-KRWNWt2aOOw199y50hPA/viewform

And for the podcast, you can listen in here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matt-mason-ne-state-poet-and-physician-writing/id1726854857

Poem of the Day at Rattle

My poem “I Owe You a Poem” is today’s poem of the day on Rattle.com (and you can still see it (and hear it, if you like) at: https://rattle.com/i-owe-you-a-poem-by-matt-mason/ ). It’s for my mom and, really, for everyone, so thanks, Rattle, for publishing it.

My Guest Column on Poetry is Up

My guest column in Missouri Poet Laureate David L. Harrison’s column Poetry From Daily Life has been published by the Springfield News-Leader and will be in other newspapers this week. It’s about wanting to see poetry more recognized as an entertaining form of Art and, in my opinion, I do a tremendous job of not taking any cheap shots at Ezra Pound. You can read it at: https://www.news-leader.com/story/entertainment/2024/12/15/poetry-from-daily-life-a-poem-does-not-have-to-be-something-you-study/76930047007/

October: a Good Month to Finally Reach my 93rd County!

So, in my term as Nebraska State Poet, my goal has been to bring at least one poetry event to every county in the state. That got dicey during the lockdowns, but I’ve been catching up and, today, have 2 counties I haven’t been to but both are scheduled. The final one will be Hitchcock County, October 12th, come join me! (And if you can’t make it to that one, I have a few other good readings you can hit)

10/4, Friday 7-9pm, I read at Postscript (1434 Silver St, Ashland) for The Good Life Review at an event to introduce and celebrate Nebraska based presses and publications. Snacks, beverages, and readings!

10/6, Sunday, I read on the Porch Fest poetry stage (3511 Webster, Omaha). There’s poetry 12-6, so stop by any time, I’m up at 5pm. https://www.facebook.com/PorchfestOMA/

10/10, Thursday at 6pm, I speak at the CUMULATE Public Art Reveal at the UNK Calvin T. Ryan Library (UNK campus, Kearney). This is a permanent art exhibition by Leslie Iwai which I helped curate Nebraska poetry elements for. https://www.facebook.com/events/8095784337206337

10/12, Saturday at 1pm, I present in Hitchcock county, my 93rd Nebraska county as State Poet, come celebrate and join the reading in the TCDC Community Bldg (401 E 1st St, Trenton). This event is sponsored by the Trenton, Culbertson, Stratton and Palisade Libraries and Humanities Nebraska. https://www.facebook.com/events/1065165835332322/

10/13, Sunday at 2pm, I read with Aliyah American Horse at the Purple Dragon Paper Company (512 N Main St, Fremont). The local brewery is going to rename a couple of their brews for the day and there’ll also be a food truck, so come enjoy.

10/25, Friday at 7pm, I read some Halloween poems at the Table Rock Opera House (106 Houston St, Table Rock). There will also be opera singers, some Hamlet and more.

Also this month, I lead a couple writing groups with physicians, present at Gordon-Rushville High School, Wheeler Central HS, Summerland HS, Hartington Cedar Catholic, Nebraska Library Association Annual Conference, Hayes Center Public Schools, Lexington High School, in McCook and more.

Coverage in this month’s Omaha Magazine