Jewel Rodgers Archives - Humanities Nebraska

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Nebraska Homegrown Series from Jewel Rodgers – Chadron (Read More)

the text HOMEGROWN in shades of blue

Organized by Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers, Homegrown is a traveling community arts series where everyone is welcome to listen, connect, or share original work. Enjoy a popcorn-style community reading, performances by Jewel and other notable poets, and an open share featuring poetry, stories, music, visual art, and more. Prefer to just listen? Come as you are. Snacks and light refreshments provided. Free and open to all. Readings by: Jewel Rodgers, Stephanie E. Glass, Robert McEwen, and John L. Harmon. Hosted by Love is for All - Chadron, a chapter of Panhandle Equality.

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Jewel Rodgers Residency – Listening Session and Q&A (Read More)

Be the first to hear the fresh new sounds from Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers recording residency with Swedish producer Fredrik Serholt at this one-of-a-kind listening session following Rodger’s and Serholt’s multi-day recording residency at the 2026 Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival. Combining the worlds of deep synths, acoustic instruments and spoken word, Rodgers and Serholt will give a unique look behind the scenes and a first look at the music before it becomes available to the public. Listening session and Q&A with Nebraska State Poet and Jewel Rodgers, debuting new music from their multi-day festival recording residency. This event is part of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, which encompasses events in Lincoln and Omaha on July 19, July 24 -August 2, and August 5. Visit the website for details: https://nebraskamusicfest.org/

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Lunchbox Lecture: The History of Spoken Word Poetry (Read More)

Join the Nebraska State Historical Society for this month’s Lunchbox Lecture featuring Jewel Rodgers, Nebraska State Poet 2025–2029! During her keynote, Jewel reflects on her journey as a self-described spoken word artist stepping into a traditionally page-centered literary role. Through performance and storytelling, she explores the cultural roots of spoken word, its historical ties to jazz and artistic movements, and the skepticism it sometimes encounters in academic poetry spaces. Blending poems with personal narrative, she demonstrates how spoken word serves as a powerful tool for both artistic excellence and community-building. Event admission is free. LNKTV will record the lecture and make it available to the public. Special thanks to the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation for providing funding for this event series and the recording to broadcast on LNKTV.

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National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement (Read More)

In partnership with Urban Word, the Nebraska Writers Collective is hosting the National Youth Poet Laureate Commencement. This marks the first time Nebraska has welcomed this national event. The evening will feature performances from the four National Youth Poet Laureate finalists from across the country, alongside a reading by the 2025 Nebraska Youth Poet Laureate, Evan Wang. The program will be hosted by Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers and accompanied by DJ Errik Ejike. Since limited seating is available, registration is required to attend in person. The event will also be livestreamed on YouTube.

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60th Annual Neihardt Day (Read More)

The celebration will deepen attendees' knowledge of John Neihardt - specifically during his time in Bancroft. Topics will include an introduction to his wide-ranging interests, including positive relationships with Native Americans, his love of poetry and the works he wrote while living in the town, his character and sense of fun, and his interests and entertainments. Anthony Warrior will give a presentation on Native American food and diet, and his catering service, Warrior’s Palate Catering, will provide lunch to the first 75 people. Former State Poet Matt Mason will emcee and present on Neihardt's life while living in Bancroft. Current State Poet Jewel Rodgers will give a poetry reading. Coralie Hughes, Neihardt's granddaughter, will discuss John's character as reflected in his writing. Nebraska State Historical Society Director Daryl Bohac will discuss the importance of preserving Nebraska history. Gary Fugman of Ne-BRASS-ka Brass Band Quintet will discuss the music and instruments that Neihardt would have listened to, and his band will perform. Visit the event website for a full schedule.

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Poetry in the Park: Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers with the Gering City Band (Read More)

A pre-Chautauqua event! Enjoy an evening with Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers and the Gering City Band. Free and open to the public. Lawn chairs welcome.

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Nebraska Poets Reading Series: Jewel Rodgers (Read More)

The free monthly Nebraska Poets Reading Series highlights the talent of Nebraska poets and invites discussion with audience members. All events are free online, but registration is required to receive an event link. Registration links for each poet’s event and additional details about each poet are available on the Nebraska Poetry Society’s website. Jewel Rodgers is an interdisciplinary spoken word poet, performer, and visual artist from North Omaha, Nebraska. She is the 2025-2029 Nebraska State Poet, a 2023 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow and Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2022-2023 Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards nominee for Best Performance Poet in Omaha. Alongside her artistic practice, she creates and maintains privately-held community amenities for public use while working professionally in commercial real estate.

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Art-Tastic Saturday: Music and Storytelling for All Ages (Read More)

Crossroads Music Festival joins forces with the The Joslyn for a day of creativity and connection for the whole family. Enjoy a fun-filled children’s concert, two performances by the enchanting Nordic-folk duo ííS, live poetry with Nebraska State Poets, current and former, Jewel Rodgers and Matt Mason, and an interactive storytelling-through-poetry workshop with Matt Mason. It’s a perfect way to experience music, stories, and art–together.

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