The cornerstone of The Poetry Brothel is its event series. A new and dreamlike twist on a poetry reading, The Poetry Brothel is foremost interested in showcasing a diverse roster of emerging and established poets. However, our events are also interactive performance art pieces based on the concept of the prewar brothels in the United States and Europe. Each night The Madame presents a rotating cast of both male and female poets engaged in a night of literary debauchery and private poetry readings. The poets act as "whores," making audience members "johns," but instead of physical intimacy, the poets offer the intimacy of their poetry in private, one-on-one readings. For a small fee, all of the resident "whores" are available for these sequestered readings at any time during the event. Of course, any good brothel need a furtive "front" or cover; ours is part saloon and part salon, offering a full bar with absinthe, live music, live painting, fortune-tellers, gypsies, and gamblers with newly integrated performances and installations from our poets and other artists at each event. Each night The Madame and Tennessee Pink also introduce the "new girl," a featured reader who punctuates the evening with a few special public performances.

Upcoming Events

Poets & Writers Magazine Summer Party
Monday, August 2nd, 6pm - 9pm
Lightship Frying Pan
Pier 66 Maritime at West 26th Street
New York, NY
$$Free
21+

Past Events

July 18th, 2010, The Back Room, New York, NY
July 10th, 2010, The House of Blues Foundation Room, Chicago, IL
June 5th, 2010, The House of Blues Foundation Room, Los Angeles, CA
May 16th, 2010, The Back Room, New York, NY
April 17th, 2010, The House of Blues Foundation Room, Los Angeles, CA
October 24th, 2009, Castle Braid, Brooklyn, NY
September 5th–27th, 2009, Governors Island Art Fair, New York, NY
September 13th, 2009, Central Park, New York, NY
May 1st, 2009, Papa B Studios, New York, NY
March 13th, 2009, Madame X, New York, NY
December 13th, 2008, The Zipper Factory, New York, NY
October 25th, 2008, The Zipper Factory, New York, NY
September 12th, 2008, Papa B Studios, Brooklyn, NY
August 22nd, 2008, Papa B Studios, Brooklyn, NY
July 25th, 2008, Papa B Studios, Brooklyn, NY
June 21st, 2008, The Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Brooklyn, NY
May 16th, 2008, Papa B Studios, Brooklyn, NY
April 25th, 2008, Jonathan Shorr Gallery, New York, NY
March 13th, 2008, Jonathan Shorr Gallery, New York, NY
February 14th, 2008, Jonathan Shorr Gallery, New York, NY
January 18th, 2008, The Mug Lounge, New York, NY
December 15th, 2007, The Living Theatre, New York, NY