News Summary

The New Orleans Poetry Festival (NOPF) is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary from April 10 to April 13, 2024. This year’s festival promises an array of poetic events, including readings, workshops, and discussions with over 700 poets expected to participate. Held at the New Orleans Healing Center and local venues, all events are free and open to the public. Attendees can enjoy an opening gala, open mic sessions, and highlights featuring renowned poets. Join this celebration of creativity and diversity in the heart of New Orleans!

New Orleans Poetry Festival: A Celebration of Words and Diversity

Welcome to New Orleans, a vibrant city that never fails to charm visitors and locals alike with its rich culture and artistic flair! This April, the city will transform into a hub of creativity as the New Orleans Poetry Festival (NOPF) celebrates its 10th anniversary from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13. Mark your calendars and get ready for a whirlwind of poetic festivities taking place at the New Orleans Healing Center and nearby establishments.

Diverse Gatherings of Poets

The festival is gearing up to be one of the largest poetry gatherings in the Gulf South, with over 700 poets expected to take part! Encouraging a festival atmosphere filled with poetic energy, attendees will be treated to a lineup that features more than 80 major readings, engaging roundtable discussions, and inspiring poetry workshops. And guess what? All events are completely free and open to the public! This means everyone can join in on the creative excitement without breaking the bank.

What’s Happening When?

The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 10, with an opening gala called Locals Night at 7 p.m. This special event will showcase the talents of seven local poets and will take place at the cozy Saturn Bar located at 3067 St Claude Ave. If you’re eager to hear from local voices, this is your chance!

Then, on Friday, April 11, the fun continues! From 1-5 p.m., there will be an Open Mic Session at St. Roch Tavern (1200 St Roch Ave) where aspiring poets can take the stage and share their work. And as the evening approaches, head over to Café Istanbul (2372 St Claude Ave, Room 252) at 7 p.m. for International Night. This session will focus on French Poetry & Translation, adding an exciting international flair to the festival!

The grand highlight of the festival is set for Saturday, April 12. The Main Event will showcase experimental political poets, featuring performances by the talented Ariana Reines and Tongo Eisen-Martin at Café Istanbul at 7 p.m. Be prepared for an evening of innovative and thought-provoking poetry.

But wait, there’s even more! On Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the New Orleans Healing Center will host an eclectic mix of over 70 readings, roundtables, and poetry workshops. This is a fantastic opportunity for both seasoned poets and curious newcomers to immerse themselves in the world of poetry!

Exciting Extras

On top of all these incredible readings and performances, the festival will also feature a small press book fair with over 50 small presses, arts organizations, and bookmakers. It’s a perfect chance to discover new poetry books and support local creators!

The NOPF prides itself on nurturing poetic innovation and experimentation, creating a space for dynamic performance and the art of translation. This year, the festival emphasizes a wide-ranging aesthetic, political, regional, and cultural perspective, showcasing poets who are often described as weird and off-kilter. This is a haven for risk-takers and those who dare to push the boundaries of poetry.

Join the Celebration!

As the festival approaches, don’t miss your chance to take part in this unique celebration of words and creativity in New Orleans. For further details and the full schedule of events, interested attendees can visit the festival’s official website at nolapoetry.com. This festival promises to be a memorable experience that truly captures the spirit of New Orleans through the art of poetry!

So, gather your friends and prepare to be inspired as the New Orleans Poetry Festival fills the air with the magic of verse!