According to the back of the book, Kelsey Bigelow’s Far From Broken (2024) collection is “an expansion of her spoken word album Depression Holders and Secret Keepers” which was released in advance of the book. I haven’t heard Bigelow’s work aloud, but I can say that there were several poems which seemed so clearly meant […]
Des Moines poetry
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Poetry has a cathartic power for Kelsey Bigelow, and she’s determined to share it
“We deserve to be on the big stages the way stand-up comedians are,” said Des Moines poet Kelsey Bigelow. “We’re using our stories and our voices. It’s just in a different format.” Iowa, home of the celebrated Writers’ Workshop and the UNESCO City of Literature, is embracing a new generation of poetic voices, from Caleb […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
It’s time to slam now at Fox Brewing for Des Moines Poetry Slam’s last event of the year
Des Moines Poetry Slam is closing out the year with a December slam at Fox Brewing on Tuesday. Poets wishing to compete must perform three original pieces. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m., and performances begin at 7. Those who do not wish to compete but would still like to try out some material onstage may […]
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Iowa poet joins the drive to ‘take back’ the spoken word Grammy (ft. track premiere: Kelsey Bigelow, ‘Poetic Trigger Warning’)
The Grammy Award for spoken word recordings has existed, in some form or other, since 1959. But it hasn’t always, or even often, gone to what 21st century listeners would consider spoken word. Seriously. Jimmy Carter (#NotAPoet) has won this Grammy Award three times. That’s as often as Maya Angelou. (With nine nominations to her […]
