Do you love to write poetry?  Or read poetry?  If so, grab a friend and head to Beaverdale Books for a free, fun, and informal evening of open mic poetry, emceed by Iowa poet Kelsey Bigelow.

Kelsey Bigelow is a spoken word and page poet.  She has a B.A. in professional and creative writing from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and is earning her M.A. in strategic communications from the University of Iowa. She is a lifelong learner taking many poetry master classes and workshops each year.  She serves as a board member and co-chair for the Iowa Poetry Association, is a member of Poetry&, and a member of the Academy of American Poets. She has participated on many panels, judged contests and slams, and has performed at many poetry events. She has led the Des Moines Poetry Workshop since February 2018 and hosted multiple workshops in person and virtually.

She released her debut chapbook, Sprig of Lilac, in November 2018 and debut spoken word album, Depression Holders and Secret Keepers, in September 2021. She has also been published in Backchannels Journal, Lyrical Iowa, Spirit Lake Review, and more.