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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.

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Exciting Opportunity for Young Writers!

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.

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Langston Hughes Project Receives 2024 Discover Ames Community Grant

On November 21st, Discover Ames awarded the Ames Writers Collective a 2024 Discover Ames Community Grant for the “Langston Hughes Project.”

“We are looking forward to 2024, the eighteenth year of the Discover Ames Community Grant Program. Discover Ames is excited to support and promote your event to Ames and area residents as well as our hotel guests,” wrote Kevin Bourke, President/CEO, Discover Ames.

In January, poet Caleb Rainey will lead three generative poetry workshops for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are FREE for teen writers and will be held in-person (and hybrid) at the Ames Public Library on January 7, 14, and 21st from 2 to 4 PM. Following the workshops, youth will be eligible and encouraged to submit a poem for a “blind read.” Two poems will be chosen for score by the “Langston Hughes Project” composer, Dr. Ron McCurdy. Caleb Rainey will read the poems accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music on February 8th.

The Ames Writers Collective is grateful to Discover Ames for their generous support.

ARTIST BIOS

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.

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.

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Ames Writers Collective Receives COTA Grant

The Ames Commission on the Arts (COTA) has awarded the Ames Writers Collective a Special Project Grant for 2024. Money awarded will help fund a teen-poetry master class in conjunction with the “Langston Hughes Project Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” at Stephens Auditorium on February 8, 2024.

In January, poet Caleb Rainey will lead three generative poetry workshops for Central Iowa Youth. These workshops are FREE for teen writers and will be held in-person (and hybrid) at the Ames Public Library on January 7, 14, and 21st from 2 to 4 PM. Following the workshops, youth will be eligible and encouraged to submit a poem for a “blind read.” Two poems will be chosen for score by the “Langston Hughes Project” composer, Dr. Ron McCurdy. Caleb Rainey will read the poems accompanied by Dr. McCurdy’s music on February 8th.

The Ames Writers Collective is grateful to the Ames Commission on the Arts for their generous support.

ARTIST BIOS

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.

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.