Oh I must pass nothing by / Without loving it much, poet Sara Teasdale wrote of the the month of May in her poem “The Dark Cup.” Almost 100 years later, as the school year ends and summer begins, this time of year still invites us to slow down and appreciate life. If you appreciate words, you’ll find several ways to enjoy them, both outdoors and in, at Murfreesboro Little Theatre, 702 Ewing Blvd., this month.
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Beginning May 10: Othello Outdoors

For three weekends, MLT hosts its ninth annual “Backyard Bard” festival, this year featuring the tragedy Othello, set in the Wild West. This is an outdoor performance, so bring a folding chair or blanket. Admission is free with donations accepted. Performances are at 7 p.m. May 10–12, 17–19 and 24–26.
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May 16: “Cornbread and Casseroles” Show Celebrates Mothers

Local creative KJ (Kara) Kemp is making it official: Her multigenre shows incorporating storytelling, poetry, music and art will now be produced quarterly under the name Bloom, representing “a stage where stories of any medium can grow together.”

Following on the heels of the love-themed “Defibrillator” show in February, Bloom’s next show, “Cornbread and Casseroles,” will be a collaboration with Poetry in the Boro that celebrates mothers.

Set for Thursday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at MLT, the show’s lineup includes stories by Angela Braach, Kara Kemp, Gary Parker, Jennifer Levi and Cindy Phiffer; poetry by C A Williams and Denise Satterfield Wilson; music by Tara Syester; artwork by Abby Hirsch Reish; and live art by Gregory Lannom. Donations are requested.
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May 23: Poetry in the Boro Features Poets, Open Mic

One week after Cornbread and Casseroles, Poetry in the Boro will hold its May event on Thursday evening, May 23, at MLT. Preceding an hour of open mic, featured poets Sherry Paige and Ashley Trabue will read.

Sherry Paige is a Middle Tennessee native and Vanderbilt graduate whose chapbook To Find a Stone was recently released by Finishing Line Press.

Ashley Trabue is an artist, poet, and author of the chapbook Vertebrae from Dancing Girl Press. Her poetry has appeared in Nashville Review, Hobart, Rockvale Review and elsewhere. Her artwork has appeared in juried exhibitions, literary magazines, local brand campaigns, on the runway and is held in private collections around the world.

This free event will be held outdoors on the Othello set at MLT, weather permitting, so bring a chair or blanket. The event will be inside in case of rain. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and features begin at 7. Open mic time follows. For more details, including this month’s word challenge, see Poetry in the Boro on Facebook.
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Excerpt from ”Cause and Effect” by spoken word artist C A Williams, who’ll be appearing in the “Cornbread and Casseroles” show on Thursday, May 16, at Murfreesboro Little Theatre:

So tonight I will feast on cornbread and casserole
I will not worry about weight gains and fat rolls
I will not worry about the empty cup and dry mouth
Tomorrow may bring regret or doubt
But as for tonight
There will be joy in knowing I lived in the moment