In Celebration of National Poetry Month, ARTSPEAKSgnv presents its second annual Bard & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival.
The festival will take place Thursday through Sunday, April 11-14, at various locations.
The Bard & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival invites the community to come together for four days of poetry readings, workshops, spoken word, storytelling, teen monologues, poetry slams, open mics, creativity and art.
This year’s festival theme is “Homecoming: A Sense of Place.”
Event schedule:
Open Mic at Harn Museum of Art
Thursday, April 11, from 6-9 p.m.: Inviting the North Central Florida community to share their poetry at the University of Florida Harn Museum of Art Auditorium, (3259 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL). Co-hosted by ARTSPEAKSgnv, University of Florida Living Poets Society and Civic Media Center “Thursday Night Poetry Jam.”
Poetry Workshop with local guest poet Jenna Nishida.
Friday, April 12, from 7-9 p.m.: Jenna Nishida will conduct an ekphrastic poetry workshop based on collections at the Matheson History Museum of Alachua County (513 E. University Ave., Gainesville). Free and open to the public.
WORD SLAY: “Standing on Words” Teen Monologue & Spoken-Word Competition.
Saturday, April 13, from 1-3 p.m.: Come support our youth poets and orators as they compete for prizes in a poetry and monologue competition at the Alachua County Library District Headquarters (401 E. University Ave., Gainesville). Free and open to the public.
Cancer Awareness Poetry Slam.
Saturday, April 13, from 2-4 p.m.: Featuring local, regional and national slam poets. Spoken-word poets will use their artistry to bring awareness to cancer-specific issues from prevention to survivorship. The goal is to help lessen the cancer burden in North Central Florida. The poetry slam will be followed by a discussion with the poets and community members. The event will be held at Oakview Park in the community center (Oakview Community Center, 810 NW 8th Ave.)
Swampberry Jam: North Central Florida Poetry Slam
Saturday, April 13, from 6 – 10 p.m.: 20 slam poets from Gainesville FL. and cities across the United States will compete for cash prizes in the inaugural Swampberry Jam Poetry: North Central Florida Poetry Slam. (5 Star Event Center, 534 N. Main Street, Gainesville, FL.)
Poetry Workshop with special guest poet Natalie J. Graham.
Sunday, April 14, from 1-3 p.m.: Join award-winning poet Natalie J. Graham for a free poetry workshop at Alachua County Library District Headquarters (401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL.)
Poetry Reading & Book Signing
Sunday, April 14, from 4-5 p.m.: Poetry Reading & Book Signing by special guest poet Natalie J. Graham at Alachua County Library District Headquarters (401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL.) Arrive early as seating is limited. Free and open to the public.
For more information contact E. Stanley Richardson at estanleyrichardson@gmail.com or (352) 792-2846.