Paper Matches/USOM Benefit
United States of Mind
Saturday, Jan. 15, 8 p.m.

After a police raid sent volunteer-bookstore Solidarity Books out of business in 2003, its volunteers were finally able to open Paper Matches Books last Halloween. Now, this bookstore has teamed up for a benefit with NUVO Cultural Vision Award-winners United States of Mind to bring you an exciting night of poetry, discussion and music.

Branches magazine publisher Tom Healy will speak on alternative media, and Allotropy vets Impulse Trio will lay down some hot jazz — not your sleepy elevator music. “I try to organize things that are deliberately diverse,” beamed Paper Matches volunteer Scott Spitz, who is also excited to work with United States of Mind. “We both offer something to the community that’s diverse, positive and empowering.”

In addition to Healy and Impulse Trio, Nate Vanderpool vs. The Semantics might throw in a few bumpin’ Lauryn Hill covers. Daniel Paquette will perform music he calls “a mix of Noam Chomsky, Aphex Twin and Weird Al Yankovic.” Undefeatable Beats drummer and Blueprint Music guitarist Joshua Strodtman will deliver a solo acoustic set. Strodtman is one of the city’s most talented drummers, and if his songwriting is even half as good as his drumming, this Saturday will blow you away.

If this isn’t enough, the volunteer collectives will also bring you the Bloomington Slam Team. When Def Poetry Jam held national auditions here last September, Indiana poets put the East Coast to shame. All this for a mere $6, and all the proceeds benefit Paper Matches and United States of Mind — two innovative, community-minded groups. As United States of Mind board member T.J. Reynolds said, “We’re both doing similar things by providing an outlet for people.”