And now some dramatic Twitter readings...

Local writer/blogger/reading series mistress/Tweet-addict Melissa Lion is launching "What the Shit: A Dramatic Twitter Reading Series" this Friday, May 22, at Green Dragon. That's right—get drunk and shout out your 140 character brilliance...or somebody else's brilliance. There's really no rules yet. Here's Lion's explanation (she's been Tweetin' about the damn thing all day, naturally):

Welcome to the inaugural What the Shit Dramatic Twitter Reading Series. I started What the Shit 40 years ago in internet time (Monday) as a way for Twitter users to tap into latent performance desires and let the world celebrate the beauty and anguish, the light and dark, the cacophony and symphony of communicating in 140 characters. Let us join together and experience the poetry of Twitter.

Lion, who already co-produces Portland's monthly reading series Back Fence PDX says the tongue in cheek event will last about 40 minutes. "I had the idea on Monday and booked it because it makes me laugh," she texted me a bit ago. " We'll see how it goes..." "What the Shit" will actually be part of Beer & Blog, a Portland happy hour tech scene meet up that happens at the Green Dragon every Friday.

Here's the rest of Lion's rules so far:

Rules of What the Shit

Readers will sign up at Beer and Blog fifteen minutes prior to start time and readers will read in order of signing up. There will be an actual piece of paper and pen for the sign up. A writer will be on hand to help anyone with this technology.

What the Shit will last for 40 minutes. If you don't get a chance, then sign up sooner next time.

Each reader reads a maximum of six tweets in his/her best dramatic tone and/or poetry voice.

All emoticons must be spelled out. LOL can be pronounced. Hashtags are to be be identified as pound sign [text].

The author of the post must be credited at the end.

All posts are fair game.

Repeats of tweets are fine and, in certain cases, encouraged.

Be mindful of the narrative arc of your reading.

If one of your tweets is read, this is a compliment. Remember, there's no crying in Twitter dramatic readings. Chest beating and keening are okay.

You must have an active Twitter presence to take part in What the Shit.

Any and all internet documentation of What the Shit is encouraged, and the hashtag #whattheshit has been reserved.

"What the Shit" takes place at Green Dragon, 928 SE 9th Ave., 517-0606. 5 pm Friday, May 22. Free.