Bard and Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival

From April 4-13, Bard & Broadside Poetry Festival is bringing together the North Central Florida community and artists for collaborative sessions that will help you discover a new way to use your words. In addition to workshops, poetry events, and youth activities, you will learn how American Poet Lola Haskins explores strategies to enrich art.

All events are first come, first served and FREE and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Friday, April 4 The BIG Read Text and Image Workshop
Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters 401 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL

Saturday, April 5 1:00-3:00 pm | WORD SLAY "Standing On Words"
Teen Spoken-Word Poetry & Monologue Competition
Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters
401 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL

Sunday, April 6 North Central Florida - Alachua County
Youth Poet Laureate Commencement Ceremony
Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters
401 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL

Thursday, April 10 6:00-9:00 pm | Open Mic at Harn Museum Nights
Join our local poetry community on Thurs, April 11th, 6-9 PM for an Open Mic at UF Harn Museum of Art (3259 Hull Rd, Gainesville), co-hosted by the ARTSPEAKSgnv, the Civic Media Center’s Thursday Night Poetry Jam, Gainesville’s DOPEnmic, & UF’s Living Poets Society.

Free & open to the public. All poets are welcome. Some content may not be appropriate for children.

Friday, April 11 7:00-9:00 pm | Bard and Broadside
Free Fridays Concert At Bo Diddley Plaza 111 E. University Ave. Gainesville, FL

Saturday, April 12 6:00 pm | Swamp Berry Jam North Central Florida Poetry Slam
Gainesville Florida's 2nd Annual Poetry Slam
Featuring Some of the Nation's Best Slam Poets
Location TBA

Sunday, April 13 6:00 pm | Swamp Berry Jam
North Central Florida Poetry Slam Gainesville Florida's 2nd Annual Poetry Slam
Featuring Some of the Nation's Best Slam Poets
The Historic Thomas Center 302 NE 6th Ave, Gainesville, FL

Sunday, April 13
1:00 - 3:00 pm | Free Community Poetry & Creative Writing Workshop
4:00 - 5:00 pm | Poetry Reading and Book Signing
​Workshop and book signing facilitated by our Special Guest Poet
Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters 401 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL