Welcome to Poetry at the Lion! All poets and poetry fans are welcome!

Each month, a featured poet will read from their works and shape the evening’s experience. Poetry lovers can stop on their way to eat out or bring a brown bag meal and stay for the whole evening. Light refreshments will be provided.

The featured poet for May will be Jewel Rodgers. She is the 2025-2029 Nebraska State Poet, a three-time Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award nominee for Best Performance Poet in Omaha, and a three-time TEDx speaker. She is also a 2022 Union for Contemporary Art Fellow, a 2023 Andy Warhol - Populus Fund Grantee, and a 2024 Blackberry Peach Poetry Slam finalist. An interdisciplinary poet, performer, and visual artist, Jewel is also an urban engagement specialist, youth coach, and spatial practitioner in the Midwest. An interdisciplinary poet, performer, and visual artist, Jewel is also an urban engagement specialist, youth coach, and spatial practitioner in the Midwest.

Alongside her artistic practice, Jewel is working toward reshaping the built environment. After earning a Master’s in Real Estate Development (New York University) and completing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) as a Buffet Scholar, she continues toward the long-term goal of co-creating our community through mindful spatial practice.