Rusty Barnes

By Meredith Goldstein, Globe Staff  |  May 2, 2008

We're partial to a poem Rusty Barnes recently published in Lit Up magazine called "The Ex-Boyfriend Checks In on Saturday Night by Cell Phone." It's the most eloquent narrative of a drunk dial we've ever read. Barnes is in Cambridge tonight promoting a new collection of stories called "Breaking it Down." Also on the bill: John Sheirer, Chad Reynolds, and an open mike. 8 p.m. Free. Out of the Blue, 106 Prospect St., Cambridge, 617-354-5287. direreader.com