Published: May 02, 2009 06:03 pm      

Poets coming to speak their minds in New Albany

Reservoir Dogwoods a foursome of Indiana poets

It started over coffee, with two poets seeking caffeine to fuel their day and a stage to showcase their talents.

One of the poets, Jason Ammerman, wanted to do something that would compare to a rock concert — and he got his wish. The Reservoir Dogwoods, a group that includes four poets, are touring Indiana with their unique performing style and will stop in New Albany on May 20 at Bank Street Brewhouse in downtown New Albany for a show.

The foursome — Tony Brewer, Matthew Jackson, Joseph Kerschbaum and Ammerman — are Indiana natives and are touring throughout the Hoosier state.

“April is National Poetry Month, so spring was a good time to kick off,” Jackson said, adding that he and Ammerman wanted to be rock stars when they first came up with the idea of a poetry tour. “My approach to poetry is gritty. I find it truly bizarre that we are even alive, and I try to capture small details of that.”

Brewer said he has some big statements to make about the world, but tempers his thoughts with humility when he performs.

“That way I’m not just ranting — I’m explaining why I made an observation,” he said.

The poets say they began writing when they were young. For Ammerman, it started when a high school English teacher asked him to write a poem about the environment. He has published two books with a third on the way.

Jackson mixed sonnets from Shakespeare with lyrics from the band Chicago to woo girls. His first illustrated book of poems, “Minding my Chaos,” came out last month.

He said the goal of the tour is to change people’s perception about poetry.

“Not only is [poetry] a valuable craft that gives people and communities a voice, but it has an entertainment value as well,” Jackson said. “Our goal is to make every audience laugh, cry, cringe and wonder about this journey we share called life.”

The poets don’t always read together, but they agreed that making the tour a full-time gig would be a dream come true.

“Only on tour do we combine superpowers and unleash pure metal on the crowd,” Ammerman slyly said. “We are the four hardest working poets in the state of Indiana. That, and we’re sexier than Amy Winehouse, Brad Pitt ... but not Mario Lopez — Slater rules.”

The tour will be the first time Brewer has read with the three other poets.

“I spend time every day on poetry: reading, writing, editing, networking, submitting work, dealing with rejection — I drink a lot of coffee,” Brewer said.

Though he hasn’t performed here with his partners, Kerschbaum is not a stranger to New Albany.

“I’ve given a few readings in New Albany, and I’ve always had a good time,” he said. “The tour has been going very well, and we’re excited about coming to New Albany.”