APRIL 13-16,2023 | GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA
Unity in the Community through Text & Image
FEATURING AMERICAN POET,
JOHN MURILLO
“Murillo is a true poet, a wordsmith, and a song-maker, intelligent, principled, compassionate, and fearless… Leave the idea that ‘poetry makes nothing happen’ to the poets whose poetry makes nothing happen. John Murillo will provide salvation to those who need poetry to save them.” — Martín Espada
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
From April 13-16, 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, John Murillo explores strategies to enrich art.
All events are first come, first served and FREE and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, April 6
Public School Text & Image Workshop (Not open to the public)

On Thursday, April 6th, Artist Patrick Grigsby of the UF School of Art + Art History & Alachua County Poet Laureate E. Stanley Richardson will collaborate with local public school students to write poems and create an improvisational print mural on the theme of Unity in the Community. Their text and images will be displayed at subsequent Bard & Broadside events. Not open to the public.
Thursday, April 13
6:00-9:00 pm | Open Mic at Harn Museum Nights
Join our local poetry community on Thurs, April 13th, 6-9 PM for an Open Mic at UF Harn Museum of Art (3259 Hull Rd, Gainesville), co-hosted by 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 14
7:00-9:00 pm | Poetry Workshop with local guest poet Alejandro Aguirre at the Matheson History Museum
Join Alejandro Aguirre in “The Poetics of Resistance in Gainesville and the States,” a workshop exploring the place of poetry in response to a history of segregation. Following a discussion of examples from Natasha Trethewey, Rowan Ricardo Phillips, and Jericho Brown, Aguirre will lead patrons in the composition of a collaborative poem using surrealist poetry techniques. Matheson History Museum (513 E. University Ave., Gainesville). Free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 15
3:00-5:00 pm | North Central Florida Youth Poet Laureate Commencement at Alachua County Library District's Headquarters Branch
Support our youth poets on Saturday, April 15th, 3-5 PM as our community inaugurates North Central Florida’s first Youth Poet Laureate at the Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters Branch (401 E Univ. Ave, Gainesville). This event will include a poetry reading by the Youth Poet Laureate finalists and is free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 15
6:00 pm | Shakespeare In The Park at The Historic Thomas Center
"Shakespeare In The Park," a theatrical performance of The Tempest by the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre, in partnership with the City of Gainesville. Performed at the Historic Thomas Center (302 NE 6th Avenue, Gainesville). Free and open to the public.
Sunday, April 16
1:00-3:00 pm | Poetry Workshop with Special Guest Poet JOHN MURILLO at Alachua County Library District's Headquaters Branch
Join us at on Sunday, April 16th, 1-3 PM at Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters Branch (401 E Univ. Ave, Gainesville) for a free poetry workshop by award-winning poet John Murillo.
In this two hour workshop, we will explore strategies by which poets may enrich their own art by deliberately imitating their favorites... and their favorites, favorites! We will discuss such topics as voice, influence, and originality, as well as the imperative of serving a serious apprenticeship. Participants should bring to this session either a few passages from their one favorite writer, or one passage each from a few of their favorite writers. Free and open to the public
Sunday, April 16
4:00-5:00 pm | Poetry Reading and Book Signing by Special Guest Poet JOHN MURILLO at Alachua County Library District's Headquaters Branch
Meet John Murillo on Sunday, April 16th, 4-5 PM at Alachua County Library District’s Headquarters Branch (401 E Univ. Ave, Gainesville). Seating is limited, so arrive early. Free & open to the public.
SUPPORT THIS EVENT!
Your generous contribution will help continue to bring programs like the Bard & Broadside Poetry Festival to our community free of charge.
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This event is brought to you by, ARTSPEAKSgnv Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The organization's primary mission is to support literacy in youth and adults through the art of Poetry, Spoken Word, Storytelling, and Creative Writing. ARTSPEAKS promotes healthy communities by utilizing all forms of creativity and artistic expression through collaboration with educational and public health organizations.
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For more information, contact bardandbroadside@gmail.com