Closing Reception
Join us as we close Voices and Votes: Democracy in America with an evening of poetry, music and community. Indiana Poet Laureate Curtis L. Crisler brings his Pop-Up Indiana Chitlin Circuit to the Prindle Institute, joined by local poets and musicians. Remarks from Indiana Humanities will celebrate six weeks of conversation about democracy, here in Putnam County and across the nation. This event is made possible by the Putnam County Community Foundation.
About the Pop-Up Indiana Chitlin Circuit
The Pop-Up Indiana Chitlin Circuit is an immersive, communal and joyfully unpredictable poetry experience. It draws its spirit from the historic Chitlin Circuit, the network of venues that supported and celebrated Black performers during the Jim Crow era.
The poets share the mic in a round-robin exchange, each choosing a poem in the moment in response to the one before it. Solo sets follow, and the evening ends with the poets reading a single poem together, line by line. Live music carries the program from one set to the next.
About Curtis L. Crisler
A Gary native and professor of English at Purdue University Fort Wayne, Crisler has served as Indiana’s poet laureate since 2024. In January, his term was extended through the start of 2028. He is the author of 13 books.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
| RUNNING TIME | About two hours, including the reading, a Q&A and a meet and greet with the poets |
| BOOKS | Poets’ books will be available for purchase after the Q&A |
| PARKING | Parking is available in the lower lot. |
