CARRBORO, N.C. -- The 19th Annual West End Poetry Festival returns, Oct. 17-19, 2024. All events are free and open to the public. The theme this year is "Slow Down for Poetry."
Thursday, October 17 │ Luna Rotisserie at 307 E. Main Street, Carrboro
- 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. - Carrboro Poet’s Council Feature and Open Mic!
Friday, October 18 │ The ArtsCenter at 400 Roberson Street, Carrboro
- 5:00 p.m. - 6:30p.m - Youth poetry workshop, pizza, sodas and fun with NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green . This free event welcomes all youth poets ages 11 -24 to come write with the NC Poet Laureate. Pizza is provided but bring your own paper to write on. For questions, text 919-408-7134.
- 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. - Music jam poetry lounge, writing to music and sharing open mic with Alison Weiner and Mahalo Jazz
Saturday, October 19 │ Carrboro Century Center at 100 N. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 1:00 p.m. - Welcome from Carrboro Mayor Barbara Foushee, youth poets read Farmer's Market poems, Area Youth Poet Laureates, Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis Liza Wolff-Francis
- 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. - Book poets reading
- John Hoppenthaler
- Fred Joiner
- Debra Kaufman
- Ashley Lumpkin
- Ralph Earle
- 3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Coffee and snacks, publishers and tables, books for sale
- 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Poetry reading and workshop with Emilia Phillips
- 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Dinner from Carrburritos
- 6:00 p.m. - Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis reads
- 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - North Carolina Hall of Fame poets reading and conversation
- Joseph Bathanti
- Lenard Moore
Saturday, October 19 │Steel String Brewery at 106A S. Greensboro Street, Carrboro
- 8:00 p.m. - Poetry Slam hosted by Josephus Thompson III
For more information on the events and poets please visit the West End Poetry website: westendpoetryfestival.org
The West End Poetry Festival is sponsored by the Town of Carrboro and is planned by the Carrboro Poets Council with the assistance of the staff of Carrboro’s Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department and the support of the Carrboro Arts Committee and the Carrboro Tourism Development Authority.
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