E. Stanley Richardson
Contributor
In recognition of National Poetry Month and Celebrating AMERICA 250, ARTSPEAKSgnv, Inc. presents POETICA-AMERICA 250 / Fourth Annual BARD & Broadside: North Central Florida Poetry Festival, celebrating 250 years of American independence through poetry.
The festival takes place in Gainesville, Fla., at different venues throughout the month of April. The month-long poetry festival will feature poetry readings, creative writing workshops, intergenerational poetry activities, storytelling, youth poetry and monologue competitions, open mics, poetry slams, live music and more.
The festival kicks off at “Museum Nights/Art After Dark” on Thursday, April 9, 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 Canva) and community members.
Everyone is invited to share their poetry at this event. The festival culminates on Sunday, April 26 at the Alachua County Library District Headquarters with a poetry and creative writing workshop lead 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, Kan., “BlackBerry Peach National Poetry Slam” in July.
The Swamp-Berry Jame 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:
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Museum Nights: Community Open Mic. |
Word Slay: Youth Poetry & Monologue Competition Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. Alachua County Library District Headquarters 401 E. University Ave., Gainesville, Fla. |
Poetry Reading: Aliesa Zoecklein (WAG) Sunday, April 12, at 2:30 p.m. Millhopper Branch Library 3145 N.W. 43rd St., Gainesville, Fla. |
| Proclamation: National Poetry Month
Tuesday, April 17, at 11:30 a.m. Alachua County Board of County Commissioners 12 S.E. 1st St., Gainesville, Fla. |
Free Fridays Concert: Poetry and Music |
Swamp-Berry Jam: Poetry Slam |
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We Hold These Truths: Community Panel Discussion |
We The Poets: Poetry Reading |
We The Poets: Poetry Reading |
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Sidney Wade: Featured Poet Poetry and Creative Writing Workshop Sunday, April 26, at 1 p.m. |
Sidney Wade: Featured Poet Poetry reading and book signing
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