Don’t Miss Out the National Poetry Month!

For me, April was always associated with April Fools’ Day. But there is much more to this month than jokes and laughs. 

April is also known as National Poetry Month. It was founded by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Since then, many libraries and schools have organized poetry events for children and adults all over the United States to get more people excited about poetry. 

This year is not an exception. For example, the Brooklyn Public Library organizes poetry events for both kids and adults. On Friday, April 15th, it is hosting a 30-minute virtual poetry reading of Jack Prelutsky’s (American writer of children’s poetry) work.

There are online events for adults as well. On April 20, the Brooklyn Public Library is inviting poetry lovers to the New Utrecht Poetry Group to discuss and read the works of the world’s most famous poets. 

But to fully dive into poetry and feel like a real poet, you should participate in in-person poetry readings in the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. 

The Cafe was founded in 1973 in the East Village apartment of Miguel Algarin, a poet, and writer. There, playwriters, musicians, and poets of color, who were not noticed by the mainstream industry, could share their work with the audience.

Soon the cafe got so big and popular that it purchased a former tenement building at 236 East 3rd St, where the cafe stays to this day. 

Today Nuyorican Poets Cafe is one of the most well-known and respected arts organizations. It organizes open mics, poetry slams, concerts, and theatrical performances. 

Every Wednesday and Friday, Nuyorican Poets Cafe hosts Poetry Slam events. Wednesday slam competition is open to everybody, and winners are chosen entirely by the audience. Friday slams are a little different. Only the Wednesday slam winners are allowed to participate and fight for a place in the Semi-Final Slams. 

Finally, there is a Grand Slam Final that usually happens in April, during the National Poetry Month. 

So bring your poems to Nuyorican Poets Cafe and share them with the audience, or get a drink and be a part of the audience yourself! 

The main rule is to bring your own poetry and enjoy your time! 

Article by Joseph R. Fraia