ARTSPEAKSgnv presents the second annual Bard & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival
Press release from ARTSPEAKSgnv
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In celebration of National Poetry Month, ARTSPEAKSgnv presents the 2nd Annual Bard & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival.
The Festival will take place April 11-14, 2024, in several locations in Gainesville. 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, art, and more. This year’s festival theme is “Homecoming: A Sense Of Place.” All Festival events are free and open to the public
Calendar of Events
Thursday, April 11, from 6-9 p.m.: Open Mic at Harn Museum of Art. 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.” Free and open to the public.
Friday, April 12: Public School Text & Image workshop. Alachua County Poet Laureate E. Stanley Richardson and University of Florida Art Professor Patrick Grigsby collaborate with local public school students to create an improvisational print mural.
Friday, April 12, from 7-9 p.m.: Poetry Workshop with local guest poet Jenna Nishida. 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.
Saturday, April 13, from 1-3 p.m.: WORD SLAY: “Standing on Words” Teen Monologue & Spoken-Word Competition. 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.
Saturday, April 13, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.: Cancer Awareness Poetry Slam. 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. Held at Oakview Community Center (810 NW 8th Ave., Gainesville, FL). Sponsored by UF Health Cancer Center.
Saturday, April 13, from 6:00-10:00 p.m.: Swampberry Jam: North Central Florida Poetry Slam. 20 slam poets from Gainesville and cities across the United States will compete for cash prizes in the inaugural Swampberry Jam Poetry: North Central Florida Poetry Slam. Held at 5 Star Event Center (534 N. Main Street, Gainesville, FL).
Sunday, April 14, from 1-3 p.m.: Poetry Workshop with special guest poet Natalie J. Graham. Join award-winning poet Natalie J. Graham for a free poetry workshop at Alachua County Library District Headquarters (401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, FL). Free and open to the public.
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.
Sponsored in part by Florida Humanities, Visit Gainesville/Alachua County, Arts Council of Alachua County, The Alachua County Friends of the Library, UF Health Cancer Center, The City of Gainesville PRCA, and Alachua County Library District.
Thank You Alachua Chronicle!