UW News

April 13, 2011

‘The Encyclopedia Show takes on topic of bears April 22

The Encyclopedia Show is “a live literary variety show being staged independently in 10 cities around the world,” according to its website. The show will play in 210 Kane at 7 p.m. Friday, April 22. Admission is free.

And on that night, the topic will be bears. All are welcome to take part. The show is presented by Manic Mouth Congress, a literary arts and poetry slam collective at the UW.

The Encyclopedia Show is the work of Chicago-based poets and producers Robbie Q Telfer and Shanny Jean Maney. Its a live variety show that commissions local and touring artists and experts from various disciplines to use their individual talents to present a different verbal encyclopedia entry each month.

The show takes a decidedly absurd, even pataphysical approach to its work, as its website states: “Though the show is accredited by the Institute of Human Knowledge and Hygiene, it is its ongoing mission to chafe against logic and proof, find meaning in obfuscation, and wrest truth from fact once and for all.”

The show is sponsored by ASUW, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, UW Common Book, and Student Activities and Union Facilities.