Runcible Spoon hosts local artists in poetry reading

The Runcible Spoon Café has always possessed a level of uniqueness, from its whimsical name to its bathroom featuring a bathtub full of fish. The cafe, 412 E. Sixth St., will hold a free poetry reading that goes beyond the ordinary, 7 p.m. Friday. The event, part of a series hosted and produced by poet Patricia Coleman, combines poetry, music and visual artwork of local artists Julia Dadds, Mark Beebe and Ransom Haile. \n"Coleman always picks good people to read -- local and non-local," said Runcible Spoon co-owner Regan Ton, who has attended other poetry series events. \nTon said her experience at the poetry readings is always positive. \n"It's really quite fun," she said.\nThis reading, entitled "Facing the Terrible," highlights Dadds' poetry, which makes up most of the presentation.\n"She's the mastermind of this operation," Beebe said, explaining why Dadds' work will be featured.\nDadds, an active Bloomington community member and a mother of three boys, volunteers at Head Start, Non-Profit Alliance, and WFHB. She has had her poetry published in WFIU's host Jenny Kander's compilations and in Branches Magazine, a free publication dedicated to personal health and spirituality. \nBeebe, a painter and a graphic narrative artist, will contribute the visual background pieces during the reading.\n"A graphic narrative piece will also be featured which combines my drawings and a story," he said. Beebe, a 30-year Bloomington resident and self-taught artist, has had his art featured at the John Waldron Arts Center, the SOFA gallery, the Bellevue Gallery and in The Ryder magazine. \nLike Dadds, who is his fiancee, Beebe volunteers his time and skills as a music programmer to WFHB. \n"I'm looking forward to the reading," he said.\nHis artwork can be viewed on his Web site, www.markbeebe.com.\nBloomington musician and artist Haile will provide music for this event. \nThe Runcible Spoon Poetry Series holds readings at 7 p.m. on the last Friday of each month unless otherwise announced. Each reading by established local poets is followed by open-mic readings. Sign up for open-mic begins at 6:50 p.m. at each poetry event.\nNext month's reading on June 25 features the poetry of bluegrass band "Viking Hillbilly Apocalypse Revue's" Ron Whitehead and Sara Elizabeth. Members of Five Women Poets will also perform. \n-- Contact staff writer Kacie Leblong at kleblong@indiana.edu.