The Madtown Poetry Open Mic w Featured Readers Jeanie Tomasko and Steve Tomasko

Art in the cafe...

Dottie and Josie Brand (Two Peas in a Pod)


"Summer Magic"


June 2026



We are self-taught artists who create work inspired by healing, nature, travel, and personal experiences. Growing up, art became a way for us to process emotions, express ourselves, and create spaces that felt meaningful and comforting. Our first “gallery” was our college apartment, which we transformed with our own artwork and nature-inspired design and the power of the feminine. Sharing our space and work with others encouraged us to continue creating and exploring art more seriously. Inspired by our Latin culture, color, emotion, and everyday moments, our work reflects themes of connection, growth,...
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Friday, September 23, 2016
8:00 pm

Jeanie Tomasko and Steve Tomasko share a house, 3 cats (which means cat hair drifts under the couch), a revolving number of kids at home (down to 1 for now, thank god), a daily piece of dark chocolate, 1 canoe and 2 forthcoming kayaks. After many years of finding themselves reading at the same events and having the same last name, they decided to make it formal and get married. Jeanie has 4 chapbooks of poetry, the latest being "Violet Hours." Steve has one, "and no spiders were harmed." That said, Steve has harmed the occasional spider when asked to by Jeanie.

For over ten years Ron hosted poetry readings as well as an open mic at Avol's Bookstore in Madison. His poems have appeared both on-line and in print journals. His manuscript, "The Office of Uncomfortable Admissions," received an honorable mention in the Concrete Wolf Chapbook Contest. Ron serves on the board of The Council for Wisconsin Writers, and sells used and out-of-print books on-line under the name Avol's Books LLC. If you have questions about the open mic, call Ron at 608-255-4730, or email him at avols@chorus.net.

Open Mic