Kansas Poet Laureate to Appear at Poetry Coffeehouse Friday

Don’t miss your chance to meet Kansas Poet Laureate Kevin Rabas at two special events at Seward County Community College this week! Dr. Rabas will speak at the SCCC Library over the noon hour Friday, as part of the “Lunch in the Library” Lecture series. Stop by for a free meal, compliments of the library, and take in the Dr. Rabas’ lecture about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. 

Then, starting at 7 p.m. Friday, plan to attend this year’s Poetry Coffeehouse. The venue has been moved to the Student Union, where guests can enjoy the same music, refreshments, and coffee house atmosphere with a little more space. Rabas judged this year’s poetry contest and will give a brief reading at the Coffee House. Winners of three poetry contests will be announced and will read their poetry. Gourmet coffees, finger foods, and live music will provide a relaxing atmosphere.

Rabas will sign copies of his books, which will be available for purchase, after the event, and a drawing for a signed copy of his books and other prizes will also be held during the Coffee House.

Rabas is a poet, jazz musician, and professor who teaches poetry and playwriting at Emporia State University. He also chairs of the Department of English, Modern Languages, and Journalism. His collection of poems, Lisa’s Flying Electric Piano, was a Kansas Notable Book in 2010 and a winner of the Nelson Poetry Book Award. He is the winner of the Langston Hughes Award for Poetry, the Victor Contoski Poetry Award, and the Jerome Johanning Playwriting Award, among others. His most recent poetry collection, Songs for My Father: Poems & Stories, was published by Meadowlark in 2016.

The Coffee House/Poetry Reading is set for 7 p.m. April 27 in the Student Union Building on the main SCCC campus. Rabas will also give a poetry reading at noon on April 27 in the SCCC library. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call Terri Barnes at 620-417-1451.