ARTSPEAKSgnv presents “Poetica-America 250” throughout April
Press release from ARTSPEAKSgnv, Inc.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – ARTSPEAKSgnv, Inc. presents POETICA- AMERICA 250 | 4th Annual BARD & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival, Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence through Poetry.
The festival takes place in Gainesville at different venues throughout the month of April (04/09 – 04/26). The month-long poetry festival will feature poetry readings, creative writing workshops, intergenerational poetry activities, storytelling, youth poetry & monologue competitions, open mics, poetry slams, live music, and more.
The festival kicks off at “Museum Nights /Art After Dark” on April 9th at the University of Florida HARN Museum of Art Auditorium with a community open mic event featuring local poets, The Civic Media Center’s “Thursday Night Poetry Jam,” University of Florida/Santa Fe College creative writing students (WORDS on Canvas), and community members. Everyone is invited to share their poetry at this event.
The festival culminates on April 26th at the Alachua County Library District Headquarters with a poetry & creative writing workshop led by featured guest poet Sidney Wade (PhD), University of Florida professor of creative writing.
The BARD & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival is a truly unique cultural experience. While Gainesville and Alachua County host an abundance of music festivals throughout the year, BARD & Broadside stands alone as the only festival in the region dedicated to the art of poetry.
This year’s “SWAMP-BERRY JAM Poetry Slam” has the distinction of serving as the official Florida State Poets Association (FSPA) 2026 Poetry Slam Championship. The winner will represent the state of Florida at the Kansas City, Kansas “BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam” in July.
The Swamp-Berry Jam Poetry Slam is North Central Florida’s premier slam event featuring many of the nation’s top slam performance poets.
All Festival Events are Free and Public!
*** CALENDAR of EVENTS ***
POETICA AMERICA 250 | 4th Annual BARD & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival – Celebrating 250 Years of American Independence Through Poetry
● MUSEUM NIGHTS:
Community Open Mic.
Thursday, April 9 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
UF Harn Museum of Art Auditorium
3259 Hull Rd., Gainesville, FL.
● WORD SLAY
Youth Poetry & Monologue Competition
Saturday, April 11 | 1:00pm
Alachua County Library District Headquarters
401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL.
● POETRY READING:
Aliesa Zoecklein (WAG)
Sunday, April 12 | 2:30pm
Millhopper Branch Library
3145 NW 43rd St., Gainesville, FL.
● PROCLAMATION:
National Poetry Month
Tuesday, April 14 | 11:30am.
Alachua County Board of County Commissioners
12 SE 1st St., Gainesville, FL
● FREE FRIDAYS CONCERT
Poetry & Music
Friday, April 17 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
Bo Diddley Plaza 1
11 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL
● SWAMP-BERRY JAM
Poetry Slam
Saturday, April 18 | 6:00pm
VECINOS
208 W. University Ave. Gainesville, FL.
● WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS:
Community Panel Discussion
Sunday, April 19 | 5:00pm
The Lynx Books
601 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL
● WE THE POETS:
Poetry Reading
Wednesday, April 22 | 6:00pm
The Lynx Books
601 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL
● POETRY at THE PLANETARIUM
ASTRONOMICAL WORDS
A Cosmic Exploration of Creative Expression Through Poetry Saturday, April 25
Kika Silva Pla Planetarium
Santa Fe College, 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, FL
● SIDNEY WADE: Featured Poet
Poetry & Creative Writing Workshop
Sunday, April 26 | 1:00pm
Alachua County Library District Headquarters
401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL
● SIDNEY WADE: Featured Poet
Poetry Reading & Book Signing
Sunday April 26 | 3:00
Alachua County Library District Headquarters
401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL