POETRY | Word masters

Poetry and slam poetry lovers will not want to miss two significant visits this week by two important men in each genre. Illinois Poet Laureate Kevin Stein (pictured right) reads at the Vachel Lindsay Home Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. The Bradley University professor’s presentation is titled “Poetry’s Afterlife,” also the title of his new book, Poetry’s Afterlife: Verse in the Digital Age. The program is offered by the site as part of National Poetry Month. Stein has been Laureate since 2003 and has published 10 books of poetry. Seating is limited. Refreshments and tours of the home follow the program. Spoken word lovers are in for a treat as slam movement founder and Chicago’s Green Mill Slam host Marc Kelly Smith speaks at The Pharmacy, 401 South Grand Avenue West on Friday, April 20 6:30-9:30 p.m. Smith will talk about his life and experiences.