Join us for the Pop-Up Chitlin Circuit—a poetic experience unlike any other! Immersive, communal, and joyfully unpredictable, the Pop-Up features Indiana’s own Poet Laureate, Curtis Crisler, alongside two talented local poets. Inspired by the historic Chitlin Circuit—an essential network of performance venues that supported and celebrated African American entertainers during the Jim Crow era—the Pop-Up Indiana Chitlin Circuit brings that same spirit of creativity, pride, and artistic energy to contemporary audiences through poetry.
In this dynamic, collaborative performance, three poets take the stage together, first sharing the mic in an electrifying round-robin exchange. Each poem is chosen in the moment, inspired directly by the piece that came before it, creating an improvisational flow where the poets build on one another’s work in real time. This spontaneous, collaborative set then transitions into shorter solo sets, where each poet reads several of their own works. The entire event concludes with the poets reading a single poem together, line by line. Live musical interludes by the Merrimans’ Play-House Players will segue the program from one set to the next.
You won’t want to miss this powerful blend of history, creativity, and live poetic exchange!
Parking is available in the Visitor Lot immediately north of the Sculpture Park for a fee during the week (before 4:30 p.m.). Free two-hour parking is available in the Eddy Street Commons Parking Garage or along Angela Blvd. After 4:30 p.m. and on weekends, parking is free and available in any non-gated campus lot. If traveling via South Bend Transpo, take the No.7 bus and use the Eddy St. Commons stop.
Originally published at raclinmurphymuseum.nd.edu.