Upcoming Events
Poetry Reading at St. Norbert College, Open to the Public
Cárdenas will do a public reading of her poetry at the Cassandra Voss Center, St. Norbert College along with visiting three classes.
Reading of Commissioned Poem Celebrating Harry Houdini
Cárdenas will read a commissioned poem regarding the legendary Harry Houdini at this event, which is part of the series “The Year of Houdini” celebrating what would have been Houdini’s 100th birthday. Although the poem will not be read until 1:00 p.m. there is a full slate of activities planned from 10 AM-2 PM at the glass museum on this day, including a glass project inspired by Houdini and a performance by magician Rodini.
Reading for International Philanthropic Educational Organization
Cárdenas will give a reading of her poetry to the Mequon Chapter of the International Philanthropic Educational Organization.
Online Poetry Interview and Reading for the Ginny Soldner Collaborative
Cárdenas will give an online interview and poetry reading for the Ginny Soldner Poetry Collaborative hosted by Heather Swan: https://www.soldnercenter.com/interviews.. Free and open to the public.
Featured Reading for Read or Die Series
Cárdenas will be one of the featured poets for the Read or Die Series at a campfire reading on wooded land near Edgerton, WI. Free and open to the public.
Facilitate Panel "Still Here: Wisconsin Women Poets" at Wisconsin Book Festival
Cárdenas will moderate the panel “Still/Here: Wisconsin Women Poets On Work, Life, And The Long Haul” with Wendy Vardaman, Sarah Sadie, Cathryn Cofell, C. Kubasta, Emilie Lindemann, and Lisa Vihos at the Wisconsin Book Festival.
Current and Former Poets Laureate in Wisconsin: A 25th Anniversary Reading
In celebration of 25 years of Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate program, this reading will showcase three unique voices, Brenda Cárdenas, Angie Trudell Vasquez, and Oscar Mireles, who call Wisconsin home and who create opportunities and foster community among the state’s poets and artists. Cárdenas is the current Wisconsin Poet Laureate, and Trudell Vasquez and Mireles are former Madison Poets Laureate.
Reading and Host for Wisconsin People and Ideas Contest Winners' Reading
Cárdenas will co-host the Wisconsin People and Ideas contest winners’ reading of their winning poems and stories and read a few poems of her own. Free and open to the public.
Poetry Workshop at Ripon College
Cardenas and poet Richard Meier will lead a day-long poetry writing workshop at Ripon College for poets under the age of 35 who have been pre-selected. The program is funded by Wisconsin’s Own Library
Poetry Reading at Beloit Public Library.
Cárdenas will give a reading of her own poems and converse with the audience about her writing practice and role as Wisconsin’s Poet Laureate. Free and open to the public.
Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
Cárdenas will lead an ekphrastic poetry workshop (poetry inspired by art), using the visual art on exhibit at the Jazz Gallery. This program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board. This program is open to adults interested in pursuing, enrolled in, or alumni of GED/HSED/ABE programs from Literacy Services of Wisconsin and W-2 participants in the Adult Education Navigator program as well as OWL (older, wiser, local) program attendees at the Jazz Gallery which is open to all Riverwest (and those close by or in relation to community) age 65+.
Reading of Commissioned Poems, Raclin Murphy Art Museum Gala
Cárdenas will give a reading of two commissioned poems inspired by work in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame for their Annual Gala.
![Reading and Ekphrastic Workshops at [mid(we)st] lit fest](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a73eae4b48ef3f76bfd959/1788721434913-5RZN83GL2OU53UJI3I5B/night-view-of-racine.jpg)
Reading and Ekphrastic Workshops at [mid(we)st] lit fest
Cárdenas will give a poetry reading of her work and lead three ekphrastic workshop at the day-long [mid(we)st] lit fest in conjunction with the 16th St. Open Studios, Mahogany Gallery and Black Arts Cultural Center, OS Projects gallery, Vintage & Modern Books, Racine Art Museum, Racine Public Library, and Hotel Verdant. Various events will take place at multiple locations.
Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
Cárdenas will lead an ekphrastic poetry workshop (poetry inspired by art), using the visual art on exhibit at the Jazz Gallery. This program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board. This program is open to adults interested in pursuing, enrolled in, or alumni of GED/HSED/ABE programs from Literacy Services of Wisconsin and W-2 participants in the Adult Education Navigator program as well as OWL (older, wiser, local) program attendees at the Jazz Gallery which is open to all Riverwest (and those close by or in relation to community) age 65+.
Be the Change Writing Workshop
Cárdenas will lead a workshop for Be the Change, a program at the Lynden Sculpture Garden that develops the leadership and self-advocacy skills of young refugee women and girls through arts-centered programming. One must apply for the program.
Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop
Cárdenas will lead an ekphrastic poetry workshop (poetry inspired by art), using the visual art on exhibit at the Jazz Gallery. This program is sponsored by the Wisconsin Arts Board. This program is open to adults interested in pursuing, enrolled in, or alumni of GED/HSED/ABE programs from Literacy Services of Wisconsin and W-2 participants in the Adult Education Navigator program as well as OWL (older, wiser, local) program attendees at the Jazz Gallery which is open to all Riverwest (and those close by or in relation to community) age 65+.
Reading at English Honor Society Convention
Cárdenas will give a reading of her poetry at the 2027 National English Honor Society Convention.
Lit. Fest Sessions (mini workshops) at National English Honor Society Convention
Cárdenas will give two 45-minute lit fest sessions (mini poetry workshops) at the National English Honor Society Convention. The times of the workshops are yet to be announced.
Poetry Reading for Rhino Magazine’s 50th Anniversary at Printers Row
Cárdenas will join MJ Dean, Teresa Dzieglewicz, Paul Martinez-Pompa, Yolanda Nieves, Cynthia Dewi Oka, and Sandra Santiago in a reading to celebrate Rhino Magazine’s 50th Anniversary at the 41st Printer’s Row Literary Festival. The reading will take place on the Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation Stage (on W. Polk St., just east of Clark St.). Free and open to the public.
Poetry Reading at Winnemac Poetry Project
Cárdenas will do a poetry reading with G.C. Waldrep and Timothy Ashley for the Winnemac Poetry Project, a private residence that hosts intimate poetry readings and community gatherings, featuring local and visiting writers and artists. Free and open to the public.
Eaux Claires Music and Poetry Festival
Cárdenas will be one of several writers-in-residence, performing poetry with musicians at this two-day festival. Accurate times for each day still TBA. Tickets must be purchased through the venue. More information on tickets to come.
Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop for Selected Emerging Poets
Cárdenas will teach an ekphrastic poetry workshop for emerging poets selected by Letras Latinas, Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame.
Poetry Reading with Soham Patel for Her Book Launch
Cárdenas and Mauricio Kilwein Guevara will read with Soham Patel for her Milwaukee Book Launch of The Daughter Industry.
Kickapoo Valley Reserve Earth Day Reading with Children
Cárdenas will do a nature-themed poetry reading and then introduce the children who won the Kickapoo Valley Reserve's Earth Day poetry contest and who will read their poems.
Poetry Reading Free and Open to the Public
Cárdenas will give a poetry reading of her original work which is free and open to the public.
Poetry Reading and Talk--Open to the Public
Cárdenas will give a poetry reading and talk free and open to the public.
ColorLit Poetry Reading and Workshop for UWM Students
Cárdenas will give a poetry reading and lead an ekphrastic workshop for UWM student organization ColorLit.
Winnemac Poetry Reading Series, Chicago
Cárdenas will read with Lewis Freedman and Antonio Vargas Nieto for the Winnemac Poetry Series in Chicago.
Free Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop in Platteville
Cárdenas will teach a generative ekphrastic poetry workshop--poetry inspired by visual art--free to participants who register.
MATRIX Reading
The women poets of The Matrix writing collective will give a poetry reading free and open to the public.