In the words of poet William Stafford, “Everyone is born a poet.” Part of the fun of Poetry Month is that everyone can be a poet.
Broward County begins its celebration of National Poetry Month in April with a poetry contest hosted by the Friends of South Regional Broward College Library. Poets and aspiring poets of any age are welcome to submit their poem by Tuesday, April 1 to Sadiq Alkoriji or to a librarian at the South Regional/Broward College Library reference desk. Contest winners will read their poetry at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, April 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Learn about the awards ceremony and submission guidelines on the Broward Library website.
Celebrate National Poetry Month in Broward County with these poetry-inspired events.
Festivals and Art
Our Voices: Festival of Words
Art Prevails Project holds its annual community festival, “Our Voices: Festival of Words” celebrating literacy and literature Friday, April 24 through Saturday, April 26. The festival includes three different events taking place throughout Broward that highlight the power of literature and art. The Festival opens with an artist showcase, “The Lit Lounge,” on Thursday, April 24 and culminates in the community festival at Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park and the African American Research Library and Cultural Center on Saturday, April 26.
The Lit Lounge – Opening Reception and Artist Showcase for Our Voices: Festival of Words
“The Lit Lounge,” an opening reception featuring music and an artist showcase. “The Lit Lounge” takes place at The Circuit @ Destination Sistrunk Cultural Center and includes music by DJ Rickyy, an open mic portion, and performances by Nicole Henry, Benjamin the Brain, Purple Flux, Epiphany, and others. Food and drinks are available with event ticket purchase.
WHAT: The Lit Lounge
WHERE: The Circuit @ Destination Sistrunk Cultural Center, 1033 NW 6th St Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m., Thursday, April 24
COST: $25
INFORMATION: (954) 652-6545 or Art Prevails Project event page
BEST FOR: Adults
An Evening With…
Art Prevails Project continues their “Festival of Words” event series with a literary evening at Broward County Main Library on Friday, April 25.
“An Evening With…” includes music, poetry reading, and a book reading by local author Fabienne Josaphat from her historical fiction novel, “Kingdom of No Tomorrow.” Josaphat’s book centers on the story of a young Haitian woman who falls in with the revolutionary Black power organization of the 1960s, the Black Panther Party, and her fight for freedom and equality as she faces both misogyny and racial oppression. Mahogany L. Browne, poet, writer, educator, and activist, joins the conversation with Josaphat. Browne is author of several novels and books of poetry, including, “Black Girl Magic” and “Chrome Valley;” she is the first poet-in-residence at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York.
The event is free and includes light refreshments.
WHAT: An Evening With…
WHERE: Broward County Main Library, 100 South Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 25
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 652-6545 or Art Prevails Project event page
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Our Voices: Festival of Words
The free, family-friendly event features both local and international artists, and includes film screenings, panel discussions, live performances, workshops, children’s activities, and a variety of other free community offerings including food, beverages, and books. Programs take place indoors and outdoors at the Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park and the nearby African American Research Library and Cultural Center campus.
WHAT: Our Voices: Festival of Words
WHERE: Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, 2520 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale and African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26
COST: Free, but RSVP recommended
INFORMATION: (954) 652-6545 or Art Prevails Project event page
BEST FOR: All Ages
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- Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Jericho Brown, at “An Evening With…” event in 2024. This year’s event features author Fabienne Josaphat. Local authors will also be in attendance at the “Our Voices: Festival of Words” event on Saturday, April 26. (Photo courtesy of Art Prevails Project).
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- Musicians perform at “The Lit Lounge” event; the 2024 “Lit Lounge” featured music by Hi Power Ent. and DJ Echo Slim. (Photo courtesy of Art Prevails Project).
Poetry Meets Art – Broward Art Guild
Broward Art Guild holds “Poetry Meets Art” on Friday, April 25, an event exploring the intersection of poetry and the visual arts. Hosted by local artist, Suzzette Dawes, the event includes time to view the galleries at Broward Art Guild, followed by a poetry-writing session inspired by one of the displayed works at the gallery. Attendees also get the opportunity to share their poems.
Dawes is known for intertwining poetry and painting in her works. She is author of “Adventures in the Courtyard” and edited the anthology “Bards of Broward: The Courtyard Chronicles,” a book of poems from those who performed poetry readings at Savor Cinema in Fort Lauderdale.
WHAT: Poetry Meets Art
WHERE: Broward Art Guild, 2052 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, April 25
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 537-3370, Broward Art Guild
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Workshops
Poetic Handcuffs – Workshop Series
Laura McDermott Matheric, first Poet Laureate of the City of Coconut Creek and author of the poetry book “Visions on Alligator Alley” (2015), leads a series of workshops on poetic forms at North Regional/Broward College Library. Each workshop focuses on a different poetic structure and guides participants on how to write poems in the featured poetic form. The workshop series culminates in a poetry showcase at Tarrazu Coffee Co. in Coconut Creek.
Haiku: Where Less Is More, Even if It’s Less (6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1) Explores the traditional and modern version of the haiku, a poetic structure that originated in Japan.
Must I Paint You a Picture? An Ekphrastic Poetry workshop (6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 8) Teaches the ekphrastic poem, poetry inspired by a work of art.
Poetic Pile-On: Because Misery Loves Company (6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15) Brings participants together to co-write poems and stimulate creativity through collaborative poetry-writing activities.
Tarrazu Coffee Co. Participant Reading (3:30 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26) Workshop participants meet at Tarrazu Coffee Co. for a public reading of the poems created during the workshop series.
WHAT: Poetic Handcuffs
WHERE: North Regional/Broward College Library (Room 226), 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek
WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, April 8, and April 15, Participant Reading: 3:30 to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 201-2600 or register here
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Poets @ Heart – Poetry Writing Group
A workshop series at North Regional/Broward College Library for poets and aspiring poets on Wednesday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 16. Participants share and workshop their original poems with fellow writers. Poets @ Heart welcomes poets of any experience level.
WHAT: Poets @ Heart
WHERE: North Regional/Broward College Library (Room 235), 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek
WHEN: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, and April 16,
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 201-2600 or register for April 2 and April 16 workshops
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Performance Workshop – Open Mic & Sing-Along
A performance workshop at the Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center on Saturday, April 12 gives performers the opportunity to sharpen their skills before a live audience. Poets, musicians, songwriters, budding comedians, and actors are welcome to perform their art either in person or virtually at the event. This workshop is meant to be a judgement-free, supportive experience for artists.
Registration through the Broward County Library website or for virtual participants, access the Zoom link for the event here; login details for the event will be posted the day of the workshop.
WHAT: Performance Workshop
WHERE: Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center, 3403 Galt Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 12
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7840 or register here
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults
Our Voices Writing Workshop
Art Prevails Project holds free writing workshops for the community every second Saturday of the month in the time leading up to their “Our Voices: Festival of Words” literary event on April 26. The workshops focus on poetry and narrative (story-based) writing. Participants go through a series of writing exercises to help them examine and express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through creative writing. The last workshop before the “Festival of Words” takes place Saturday, April 12 at Roosevelt Gardens Park; some workshop participants will also get a chance to perform their original work at “Festival of Words.”
The workshop is free and open to anyone aged 16 and older; pre-registration is encouraged.
WHAT: Our Voices: Writing Workshop
WHERE: Roosevelt Gardens Park, 2841 N.W. 11th St., Fort Lauderdale
WHEN: 10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 12
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 652-6545 or Eventbrite
BEST FOR: Teens and Adults aged 16 and older
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- Laura McDermott Matheric is the first poet laureate of the City of Coconut Creek. Matheric is professor of English at Broward College and will lead the “Poetic Handcuffs” workshop series at North Regional/Broward College Library. (Photo courtesy of Laura McDermott Matheric).
Performances and Open Mic Events
CC Voices Live!
Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library holds an open mic night on Wednesday, April 2 for musicians, artists, and other creatives looking to perform for a live audience. All ages are welcome to attend and to perform at the event; pre-registration is encouraged.
WHAT: CC Voices Live!
WHERE: Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library, 2800 NW 9th Ct, Pompano Beach
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 2
COST: Free (registration encouraged)
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7670 or register here
BEST FOR: All ages
DB PW Community Voices
Deerfield Beach Percy White Library celebrates its 56th anniversary and National Poetry Month with an open mic evening for local community members. Locals are encouraged to submit and perform their own poetry. Attendees are also welcome to perform music at the event. This open mic event is free to the public and open to all ages.
WHAT: DB PW Community Voices
WHERE: Deerfield Beach Percy White Branch Library, 837 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach
WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 357-7680 or register here
BEST FOR: All ages
Lyrics Lab – All Arts Open Mic Night
Ali Arts Cultural Center in Pompano Beach holds “Lyrics Lab,” an open mic night for performers, on Wednesday, April 16. This monthly event gives artists and performers of all kinds—from poets to musicians to comedians—the chance to show off their art and connect with other artists. The Lyrics Lab house band performs during the evening and host Erick Carter leads the event.
Tickets are $10, performers enjoy free admission. Tickets must be purchased ahead of the event and performers must RSVP through Eventbrite to perform.
WHAT: Lyrics Lab – All Arts Open Mic Night
WHERE: Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard Pompano Beach
WHEN: 8 to 10 p.m., Wednesday, April 16
COST: $10, free for performers (RSVP required)
INFORMATION: (954) 545-7800 or visit Pompano Beach Arts
BEST FOR: Adults
The Spoken Word By Mariah Reed
Students from Broward College’s Visual and Performing Arts Department (V&PA) perform “The Spoken Word,” a musical play by actor, playwright, and theater professor, Mariah Reed. The play centers on a woman who uses cycling to help heal from a painful relationship. Performances take place Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27 at the Performing & Cultural Arts Theatre at the Broward College South Campus and admission is free.
WHAT: “The Spoken Word,” by Mariah Reed
WHERE: Performing & Cultural Arts Theatre, Judson A. Samuels South Campus (Building 68), 7200 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, April 24, Friday, April 25, Saturday, April 26, and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 27
COST: Free
INFORMATION: (954) 201-6843, event page or the Broward V&PA events calendar
BEST FOR: Teens and adults, aged 13 and older
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- Marilyn Mendoza and Adrian Jaramillo in a 2014 production of “The Spoken Word,” a play by Mariah Reed. Students from Broward College’s Visual and Performing Arts Department perform “The Spoken Word” from Thursday, April 24 through Sunday, April 27. (Photo by Bruce Borich).
