32nd Annual Poetry Marathon & Benefit
Sat. & Sun., Jan. 24 & 25, 2026 | 10 am-10 pm
HYBRID In person and livestreaming via Crowdcast
@ SAINT KATE – The Arts Hotel | 139 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee
Presented by DEWITT LLP
and by WISCONSIN’S OWN LIBRARY,
a unique collection of Wisconsin authors and illustrators owned by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs–Wisconsin, with funding provided by the Gwendolyn M. Schultz Charitable Trust.
Ode-level sponsors include Juneau Park Friends, Paula Kiely, and Margaret Rozga,
with individual hours presented by The Book Drop, Café Corazón, Karen Campbell & Kevin Ronnie, Brenda Cárdenas & Roberto Harrison, Educators Credit Union, East Side Family Chiropractic, Greg Flegel & Rich Greene, Karl Gartung & Anne Kingsbury, Genre: Urban Arts, Peter Goldberg, Metro Eye, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, The Plaza Hotel, Reuter & Associates, RitzHolman CPAs, Riverwest Currents, Riverwest Realty, Jill Sebastian & Jake Fuller, Standing Partnership, Transfer Pizza, WE Energies, the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets, The Weird Times, James R. Wilson, and Mary Gute Witte & Ned Witte.
COME SHARE THE JOY!
Get ready to join us for our second-ever hybrid Poetry Marathon! After a joyous and successful first run last year, we’re excited to continue combining in-person and virtual performances at Saint Kate—the Arts Hotel, here in Milwaukee.
The Marathon will unfold over the course of two days and 24 hours, and will feature not only hundreds of poets from our city, region, and beyond, but also live musical performances, screenings of moving-image works, and various surprises. Performances will take place before a live audience, and will also be livestreamed via Crowdcast. Once again, we’ll have lunch and dinner available for participants and ticket holders, thanks to Saint Kate.
As always, Marathon participants each attempt to raise $50 in pledges. These contributions are then matched by a sponsor for the hour, and supplemented by premier- and presenting-level sponsors. Thanks to our community, funds raised through the Marathon each January have kept Woodland Pattern going strong for decades, providing fuel for all our programmatic activities in the year ahead.
TICKETS
In order to create the greatest access, Woodland Pattern is presenting its Poetry Marathon this year as a Give What You Can event, with a minimum suggested donation of $10 and various thoughts on higher tiers depending on how long you are staying—and, more importantly, how much you are eating! Though Saint Kate is generously offering us its Arc Theatre venue for free, each meal will cost approximately $25 per person.
So, here are some suggested ticket levels to consider:
- Staying for a few hours and not partaking in meals? $10
- Staying for a half a day and joining for lunch or dinner? $35
- Staying for a whole day and eating a couple of meals with us? $75
- Spending the entire weekend with us? $125
That said, we offer an important reiteration: We want all Marathon-goers to attend for the love of community and poetry, so please Give What You Can! (And if you are reading in the Marathon and raising funds, your meals are on us—so please allow us to feed you!)
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
SPONSOR A POET: Like a traditional Marathon fundraiser, poets participating in our event seek to raise donations. Sponsoring a poet is a great way to support someone who is performing as well as Woodland Pattern. You can make your donation on the behalf of a particular poet, or if you’re unsure who to sponsor, consider a “Pledge a Reader” donation. Money received through these donations will go directly to a poet who is unable to meet their $50 fundraising goal.
OTHER INFO
PARTICIPATING POETS: Keep scrolling! You'll find an FAQ list below the program schedule.
WRISTBANDS: When you arrive and purchase a ticket (or check-in as a poet), you will be given a wristband for the event. Please be sure to wear your wristband when entering and exiting the Arc Theater.
MEALS: Lunch and dinner will be offered each day during intermission. For attendees with dietary restrictions, vegan and gluten-free options will be available, and foods containing any common allergens (nuts, dairy) will be clearly marked.
PARKING: The most convenient spots are in the lot adjacent to Saint Kate and Associated Bank. Metered parking is also available and is free on Sunday.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Saturday, January 24th
10:00 am: COMMUNITY—featuring Amanda Werhane, Marie Mellott, Jeff Giese, Mary Krawczyk, Anja Notanja Sieger, Gina Cornejo, Angela Voras-Hills, Kurt Olsson, and Michael Yanny. Sponsored by The Book Drop.
11:00 am: COMMUNITY—featuring Stephanie Snyder, Jessica Hsu, Bryon Cherry, Elisabeth Harrahy, and Peter Burzyński. Sponsored by Karen Campbell & Kevin Ronnie.
11:30 am: INDIGENOUS NATIONS POETS—CURATED BY KIMBERLY BLAESER—featuring Kimberly Blaeser, Halee Kirkwood, Nick Demske, and Kenzie Allen. Sponsored by Karen Campbell & Kevin Ronnie.
12:00 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Terimarie Degree, Edie Hitchcock, and Jean Tobin. Sponsored by Mary Gute Witte & Ned Witte.
12:15 pm: YOUTH HOUR—featuring Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureate Angela Wang, Leveret Nollie, Nathalie Pereda, Oscar Anwaatin O'Naughton-Whitefeather, Nicholas Robinson, Mia Lucke, former Milwaukee Youth Poet Laureates Aleena Ahmed and Emily Igwike, and students from our after-school programs at Riverwest Elementary, Gaenslen School, and Hopkins Lloyd Community School. Sponsored by Mary Gute Witte & Ned Witte.
1–2 pm: INTERMISSION / LUNCH
Caesar Salad + Detroit Style Pizzas (vegan + gluten-free options available). Sponsored by WE Energies.
2:00 pm: MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN—CURATED BY LESLIE FEDORCHUK—featuring Jill Sebastian, Leslie Fedorchuk, Sean Enfield, Anna Hillary, Marie Larson, Kate Schaffer, Ashley Luchinski, Grace Umek, Lisa Floading, & CJ Scruton. Sponsored by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.
3:00 pm: WISCONSIN FELLOWSHIP OF POETS—CURATED BY ED WERSTEIN—featuring Esteban Colon, C. Kubasta, Jim Landwehr, Freesia McKee, Kim Parsons, Amanda Reavey, Sheryl Slocum, David Southward, Adrienne Wallner, Kathrine Yets, and Ed Werstein. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets.
4:00 pm: WISCONSIN POETS LAUREATE COMMISSION—featuring Angie Trudell Vasquez, Lisa Vihos, Dasha Kelly Hamilton, Mario Willis, Jodi Vander Molen, Margaret Rozga, Milwaukee Poet Laureate Shelly Conley, incoming Green Bay Poet Laureate, and Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas. Sponsored by Transfer Pizza + Brenda Cárdenas & Roberto Harrison.
5:00 pm: CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SUSAN FIRER—featuring Erin Hazard, Caitlin H. Firer, Jack Lindemann, Jasper Modell, Bix Firer, Sam Pekarske, Peter Goldberg, Martha Bergland, Kimberly Blaeser, John Koethe, Molly Snyder, Kris Terwelp, and James Blessington. Sponsored by Peter Goldberg.
6–7 pm—INTERMISSION / DINNER
Street Tacos—Achiote Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, Fajita Vegetables, Onion, Lime, Cilantro, Salsa Rojo, Avocado Salsa, Crema, Cotija Cheese, & Corn Tortillas. Sponsored by East Side Family Chiropractic.
7:00 pm: LATINE HOUR—CURATED BY BRENDA CÁRDENAS & ROBERTO HARRISON—featuring Mauricio Kilwein Guevara, Jackie Valadez, Roberto Harrison, Lucy Cristina Chau Colley, Farid Matuk, Sandra Ruiz, Paul Martínez-Pompa, J. Michael Martinez, Carolina Ebeid, Christina Vega-Westhoff, and Roque Raquel Salas Rivera. Sponsored by James R. Wilson.
8:00 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Anna Cwalina, Martha Kaplan, Mike Hauser, Stacy Blint, Peter Goldberg, Karl Gartung, Liat Mayer, Van Rung, Lydia Thelen, Anna Thelen, Jen Tynes, and Kathryn Gahl. Sponsored by Anne Kingsbury & Karl Gartung.
9:00 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Krystal Languell, Janet Jennerjohn, Jacqueline Lalley, Oliver Krawczyk, Di Minardi, Daniel Constable, Kellyann Minardi, Julie Demet, Alix Anne Shaw, Nikki Janzen (aka Darlin' Nikki), Steve Timm, and Kati Katchever. Sponsored by RitzHolman CPAs.
Sunday, January 25th
10:00 am: WEDNESDAY WRITERS—featuring Tom Ziolkowski, Pepe Oulahan, Darlene Rzezotarski, Carol Lee Saffioti-Hughes, Karen Haley, Charles Trimberger, Virginia Small, Vince Bushell, Janet Saenz, Tim Kloss, Jean Sobon, and Gary Beaumier. Sponsored by Riverwest Currents.
11:00 am: COMMUNITY—featuring Paul Enea, James Lewelling, Lisa Isaacson, Kristian Zenz, Barbara Wuest, and Greg L. Flegel. Sponsored by The Weird Times.
11:30 am: THE WEIRD TIMES (VIRTUAL)—CURATED BY DAVID WILK—featuring Elinor Nauen, Maureen Owen, Steve Benson, Miho Kinnas, and David Wilk. Sponsored by The Weird Times.
12:00 pm: LYRICAL SANCTUARY—CURATED BY JOHN CONTRERAS—featuring Lily Celestin, Lauren Glos, Safia Ali, Neela Stemper, Amarion Herbert, and John Contreras. Sponsored by Jill Sebastian & Jake Fuller.
12:30 pm: MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY—CURATED BY SEBASTIAN BITTICKS—featuring Jacob Riyeff, Megan Paonessa, Angela Sorby, Danielle Harms, and Sebastian Bitticks. Sponsored by Jill Sebastian & Jake Fuller.
1–2 pm: INTERMISSION / LUNCH:
Soups & Salad & Dinner Rolls (Five-Bean Vegan Chili, Sweet Potato & Coconut Curry Soup + Beet & Arugula Salad w/ Goat Cheese & Almonds). Sponsored by Standing Partnership.
2:00 pm: RACINE & KENOSHA POETS—CURATED BY DEBRA HALL & JAY MOLLERSKOV—featuring Debra Hall, Nick Ramsey, Christy Hoff, Mary Skillings, Thomas Carr, Darin Zimpel, Nico Moore, Nicholas Ravnikar, Holland Dvorak, and Jay Mollerskov. Sponsored by Riverwest Realty
3:00 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Robin Christie, Essee, Allison Thompson, Carmen Murguia, Jenny Benjamin, Angela Shaffer, Gnat Bowden, Harvey Taylor, Bob Hanson, Anneliese Finke, Martha Bergland, and Catherine Young. Sponsored by Greg Flegel & Rich Greene.
4:00 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Rick Ollman, Harrison Warren, Ed Barth, Noa Fields, Rosemary Wexler, and Stevie Hanley. Sponsored by The Plaza Hotel.
4:30 pm: OXEYE PRESS—CURATED BY JORDAN DUNN—featuring Lewis Freedman, Chuck Stebelton, Antonio Vargas-Nieto, Richard Meier, and Lisa Fishman. Sponsored by The Plaza Hotel.
5:00 pm: PITYMILK PRESS—CURATED BY CHELSEA TADEYESKE—featuring Grace Mitchell, Ridley Tankersley, Alex Niemi, Chloé Allyn, and Chelsea Tadeyeske. Sponsored by Café Corazón.
5:30 pm: MILWAUKEE KITCHEN PRESENTS POPCORN FANTASIA—CURATED BY PAUL DRUECKE. Sponsored by Café Corazón.
5:50 pm: aCINEMA PRESENTS 0911WARSCHAUERSTR. BY BOROMIR BOGUMIL & CAROLINA SOLTMANN—CURATED BY TAKAHIRO SUZUKI & JANELLE VANDERKELEN Sponsored by Café Corazón.
6–7 pm: INTERMISSION / DINNER
featuring music from Buttars/Ollman/Smith
Jane Buttars (piano); Rick Ollman (winds); and Eli Smith (drums)
Italian Dinner Buffet—Saint Kate Salad, Meatballs, Penne with Marinara, Green Beans, & Garlic Breadsticks
7:00 pm: GENRE: URBAN ARTS—CURATED BY NAKEYSHA ROBERTS WASHINGTON—featuring Sue Blaustein, Tiffany Miller, Kavon Cortez Jones, Dana Alexander Kaleta, and Nakeysha Roberts Washington. Sponsored by Genre: Urban Arts.
7:30 pm: aCINEMA PRESENTS XENO-EUPHORIA BY MICAH ALHADEFF—CURATED BY TAKAHIRO SUZUKI & JANELLE VANDERKELEN Sponsored by Genre: Urban Arts.
7:35 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Seth Copeland, Scott Lowery, Amalia Tenuta, and A Poet. Sponsored by Genre: Urban Arts.
8:00 pm: MOODY THE ZINE—CURATED BY MELISSA MURSCH-RODRIGUEZ—featuring Nick Naudi, Katie Bedolla, Sindie Ho, Caitlin Rooney, Gosha Ananchev, and Ophelia Hix. Sponsored by Metro Eye.
8:30 pm: COMMUNITY—featuring Juan May-Stokes, Monica Thomas, Margot Armbruster, Amanda Alfirevic, and Benjamin Pelli. Sponsored by Metro Eye.
9 pm: WYRD—CURATED BY KC HARRISON—featuring KC Harrison, Ian Izard, Han Bender, Moki Ruminski, and Deanna Schneider. Sponsored by Educators Credit Union.
9:30 pm: WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER—CURATED BY KATHRINE YETS—featuring Anthony Halliwell, Briana Honisch, Lazarus Halliwell, Hosanna Conway, and Skitter Santos. Sponsored by Educators Credit Union.
FAQ FOR PARTICIPANTS
Thank you for taking part in this year's Poetry Marathon! Below is some basic information as you prepare for the event.
Q: What time should I show up for my performance?
A: You should arrive at Saint Kate at least one hour in advance of the hour you are reading in. Upon arrival, you will need to check in at the registration table, where you'll receive a wristband. Registration will be located near the gallery, to your left if entering Saint Kate on Water Street.
Q: Where should I park?
A: There is a parking garage directly connected to Saint Kate (on Water Street, just past the hotel), along with several others nearby.
Q: Can my performance go over 5 minutes?
A: As always, each poet participating in the Marathon is asked to limit their performance to five minutes. Part of what makes the Marathon so special is the equality of time and attention afforded each participant and the variety of poets who appear side by side. Keeping your performance to five minutes ensures that everyone's voice is heard.
Q: Will participating poets be fed?
A: YES! Lunch and dinner will be catered both days by Saint Kate.
Q: Can I stay for the whole Marathon?
A: YES, PLEASE! Participating poets can attend the entire Marathon—just hold on to your wristband!
Q: I'm on the waitlist. When will I hear back about whether there's a spot for me?
A: Throughout January, we will be checking in with registered poets to confirm particiation. As cancellations occur, we will contact waitlisted poets in the order they signed up to see if they'd like spots that have newly opened. All waitlisted poets should hear back from Woodland Pattern at least one week before the Marathon, but likely sooner.
Q: I'm not sure if I can raise $50. What if I can't meet the pledge goal?
A: Click here for a list of fundraising strategies that have been successful for other participating poets in the past. In our experience, most of the time poets are able to find donations to help them meet the minimum pledge goal, especially if asking several people to pledge just a few dollars each.
Questions?
We acknowledge that in Milwaukee we live and work on traditional Potawatomi, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee homelands along the southwest shores of Michigami, part of North America’s largest system of freshwater lakes, where the Milwaukee, Menominee, and Kinnickinnic rivers meet and the people of Wisconsin’s sovereign Anishinaabe, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Oneida, and Mohican nations remain present.
We further acknowledge the iniquity and suffering colonialism introduced to these lands through genocide and slavery, as well as through racist and xenophobic beliefs, laws, and practices that continue to inflict harm upon Black, brown, Indigenous, and immigrant lives. We honor those who have lived—and live now—at these intersections of identity and experience.
720 E. Locust Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
Phone: 414 263 5001
Hours: Tues–Sun | 12-7 pm
Closed Mon
Building Accessibility: Despite the age of our physical location, and attendant limitations to access, Woodland Pattern is committed to making its programs and facilities available for as many as possible. Please call for more information.
Events Accessibility: Woodland Pattern is able to offer captioning services for its online events and with advanced notice can provide ASL interpretation for live events. Please contact us with accommodation requests and questions.
© Woodland Pattern 2026