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2nd Sunday Swift Youth Writers Group & Linea King

Hey Youth Writers! It’s almost fall and time to write at our monthly Swift Youth Writers Groups held on the 2nd Sundays of the month at the Ames Public Library.

This month, join our talented and fun-loving writer and facilitator, Linea King. Click here to read about Linea and her writing philosophy.

Youth writers meet upstairs in the P.E.O. Room from 2 to 4 PM. Do check the monitors incase of room changes. We supply notebooks and pens, and other supplies to prompt and inspire stories.

2nd Sunday Swift Youth Writers Groups are offered as an Ames Writers Collective FREE community outreach program in partnership with the Ames Public Library.

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In The Media News

Ames Writers Collective Awarded ACAC Arts in Education Grant

The Ames Community Arts Council has awarded the Ames Writers Collective an Arts in Education Grant to help fund teen-poetry workshops taught by poet, performer and producer, Caleb Rainey.

During the month of January at the Ames Public Library, Rainey will lead three generative poetry workshops for Central Iowa Youth. Following the workshops, youth are eligible and encouraged to submit a poem for a “blind read” contest. Two winning poems will be scored by the “Langston Hughes Project” composer, Dr. Ron McCurdy. Caleb Rainey will perform the poems accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music on February 8th to open the “Langston Hughes Project Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” at Stephens Auditorium on February 8, 2024.

“We are thrilled to support a youth poetry program that will be set to music and performed on stage at Stephens Auditorium,” said Jennifer Brockpahler, Director of the Ames Community Arts Council.

The Ames Writers Collective is grateful to the Ames Community Arts Council for their generous support, and for Stephens Auditorium for bringing the “Langston Hughes Project” to Ames, Iowa.

ARTIST BIOS

Dr. Ron McCurdy,  is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.

Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.

Swift Youth Writers Poetry Workshop

Youth writers, listen up! You are invited to join poet Caleb Rainey for three poetry workshops designed especially for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are completely free and will be held in-person and as a hybrid option at the Ames Public Library on January 7th, 14th, and 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The workshops will build upon each other to prepare you for a contest where you can submit your best poem. After the workshops, a panel of poets will conduct a “blind read” contest, with two poems being chosen for scoring by Dr. Ron McCurdy, the composer of the “Langston Hughes Project.” To kick off the performance at Stephens Auditorium on February 8th, Caleb Rainey will perform the selected poems, accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music.

POETRY WORKSHOP DETAILS
Location: Ames Public Library / Hybrid
2 to 4 PM on all Dates

Jan 7—Generative poetry workshop
Jan 14—Poetry Revision Workshop
Jan 21—Revised Poetry Workshop
Jan 21—Submit your poem to the contest

This one-of-a-kind opportunity is funded in part by an Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) Special Project Grant and a Discover Ames Community Grant. Don’t miss your chance to develop your poetry skills and showcase your talent!

Registration is required. Click Here!

ARTIST BIOS

Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.

Dr. McCurdy,  is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.

Swift Youth Writers Poetry Workshop

Youth writers, listen up! You are invited to join poet Caleb Rainey for three poetry workshops designed especially for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are completely free and will be held in-person and as a hybrid option at the Ames Public Library on January 7th, 14th, and 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The workshops will build upon each other to prepare you for a contest where you can submit your best poem. After the workshops, a panel of poets will conduct a “blind read” contest, with two poems being chosen for scoring by Dr. Ron McCurdy, the composer of the “Langston Hughes Project.” To kick off the performance at Stephens Auditorium on February 8th, Caleb Rainey will perform the selected poems, accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music.

POETRY WORKSHOP DETAILS
Location: Ames Public Library / Hybrid
2 to 4 PM on all Dates

Jan 7—Generative poetry workshop
Jan 14—Poetry Revision Workshop
Jan 21—Revised Poetry Workshop
Jan 21—Submit your poem to the contest

This one-of-a-kind opportunity is funded in part by an Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) Special Project Grant and a Discover Ames Community Grant. Don’t miss your chance to develop your poetry skills and showcase your talent!

Registration is required. Click Here!

ARTIST BIOS

Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.

Dr. McCurdy,  is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.

Swift Youth Writers Poetry Workshop

Youth writers, listen up! You are invited to join poet Caleb Rainey for three poetry workshops designed especially for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are completely free and will be held in-person and as a hybrid option at the Ames Public Library on January 7th, 14th, and 21st from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

The workshops will build upon each other to prepare you for a contest where you can submit your best poem. After the workshops, a panel of poets will conduct a “blind read” contest, with two poems being chosen for scoring by Dr. Ron McCurdy, the composer of the “Langston Hughes Project.” To kick off the performance at Stephens Auditorium on February 8th, Caleb Rainey will perform the selected poems, accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music.

POETRY WORKSHOP DETAILS
Location: Ames Public Library / Hybrid
2 to 4 PM on all Dates

Jan 7—Generative poetry workshop
Jan 14—Poetry Revision Workshop
Jan 21—Revised Poetry Workshop
Jan 21—Submit your poem to the contest

This one-of-a-kind opportunity is funded in part by an Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) Special Project Grant and a Discover Ames Community Grant. Don’t miss your chance to develop your poetry skills and showcase your talent!

Registration is required. Click Here!

ARTIST BIOS

Caleb “The Negro Artist” Rainey is an author, performer, and producer. He hails from Columbia, Missouri, and holds a B.A. in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Iowa. His debut book, Look, Black Boy, became Amazon’s #1 new release in African American poetry, and was awarded first prize in the North Street Book Prize. His second book, Heart Notes was published in 2019 and featured on Iowa Public Radio. He released two spoken word albums, a studio version of Look, Black Boy, and a performance album titled, Heart Notes Live! He co-founded the literary magazine Black Art; Real Stories, was published in Iowa’s Best Emerging Poets – 2019, the Little Village Magazine, and wrote a monthly column for The Real Mainstream. For three years in a row he was named Best Poet/Spoken Word Performer in Cedar Rapids & Iowa City.

Dr. McCurdy,  is a Professor of Music in the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where he served as chair of the jazz department for 6 years. Dr. McCurdy is a consultant to the Grammy Foundation educational programs including serving as director of the National Grammy Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Guest artists he has worked with include Joe Williams, Rosemary Clooney, Leslie Uggams, Arturo Sandoval, Diane Schuur, Ramsey Lewis, Mercer Ellington, Dr. Billy Taylor, Maynard Ferguson, Lionel Hampton, and Dianne Reeves.

Swift Youth Writers Group – Writing for Teens

Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.

Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.

Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

Swift Youth Writers Group – Writing for Teens

Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.

Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.

Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

Swift Youth Writers Group – Writing for Teens

Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.

Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.

Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

Swift Youth Writers Group – Writing for Teens

Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.

Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.

Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library

Swift Youth Writers Group – Writing for Teens

Teens in 6th – 12th grade are invited to escape into creative writing and connect with other teen writers. Each month on the 2nd Sunday (unless otherwise noted) attendees will be led through prompts and exercises to help develop and stretch their creative writing skills. Attendees will be given a chance to share their work and have a chance to support others. No experience is necessary so all skill levels are encouraged to attend. At the end of the school year, writers will be asked to submit 1 to 3 pieces (depending on genre) for inclusion in an anthology, and a celebratory reading will be held.

Registration is not necessary. Writing Sundays are FREE! For more information, click here.

Provided in partnership with the Ames Writers Collective and the Ames Public Library