In celebration of National Poetry Month and Alachua County’s Bicentennial, ARTSPEAKSgnv, Inc. will hold its third annual BARD & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival from April 5–26.

This multi-day festival will take place at various locations in Gainesville, featuring poetry readings, creative writing workshops, storytelling, open mics, live music, and the Swamp-Berry Jam Poetry Slam.

This year’s theme, “Where We Live: DISCOVER 200,” explores the region’s rich history through the power of poetry. All festival events are free and open to the public.

Schedule of Events

• Saturday, April 5 | 1–3 p.m. – “WORD SLAY: Standing on Words” – Teen spoken-word and monologue competition at the Alachua County Library District Headquarters.
• Tuesday, April 8 | 11:30 a.m. – National Poetry Month Proclamation – Official proclamation at the Alachua County Board of County Commission meeting.
• Tuesday, April 8 | 6:30–8 p.m. – “Where We Live: 200 Years in Community” – Panel discussion on local history at the Matheson History Museum.
• Thursday, April 10 | 6–9 p.m. – Museum Nights: Community Open Mic – An evening of poetry and storytelling at the Harn Museum of Art.
• Friday, April 11 | 6:30–9 p.m.– FREE FRIDAYS: Music & Poetry – Live music with Bennie & The Band and an open mic at Bo Diddley Plaza.
• Saturday, April 12 | 6:30–11:30 p.m. – Swamp-Berry Jam Poetry Slam – Top slam poets compete at Vecinos for the championship title.
• Sunday, April 13 | 1–3 p.m. – Community Poetry & Creative Writing Workshop – Led by award-winning poet Lola Haskins at the Alachua County Library.
• Sunday, April 13 | 3:30 p.m. – Poetry Reading & Book Signing – Lola Haskins shares new and collected works at the Alachua County Library.
• Saturday, April 26 | Time TBA – NEA BIG READ: Youth Text & Image Workshop – A creative workshop with visual artist Patrick Grigsby and poet E. Stanley Richardson at the Alachua County Library.