April is National Poetry Month!

Here are a few of the many National Poetry Month events happening in April at libraries, colleges, bars, galleries, and cafés around San Diego. Hope to see you out there, in person!

​Friday, April 1, at 3 p.m., poet Chrystophver R, hosts The Poetry Party (The Poetical Party of Choice) in the Santa Fe Room (Balboa Park Club), 2150 Pan American Road West. For more info call: 619-569-4922.

Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m., author and organizer Bethel Swift hosts Close Your Eyes and Listen poetry panel (with authors JohnnieRenee Nia Nelson, Karla Cordero, yours truly) and open mic at Spacebar. All the details here.

Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m., poet and organizer Robt O and The Escondido Arts Partnership host Poets, INC (Inland North County) with an open mic to celebrate National Poetry Month.

Tuesday, April 5, at 7 p.m. (every Tuesday), poet and host Sunny Rey brings Poets Underground open mic to Amplified Ale Works in East Village.

Friday, April 8 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Poet and Kowit Prize organizer Jeff Walt hosts The Kowit Ceremony at Central Library. Come celebrate the winners and enjoy the party. More info here.

Sunday, April 10, at 3 p.m., poet and activist Jim Moreno hosts 2nd Sunday–Jihmye Poetry-Open Mic at Spacebar, featuring Philip J Curtis aka Midnight.

Monday, April 11, at 6:30 p.m. San Diego Poetry Annual authors reading and open mic at PL Library. Register here to participate and/or watch and celebrate this year’s SDPA authors in person: SDPA at Point Loma Library Registration. Hosted by Michael Klam.

Saturday, April 16th, at 10 a.m., The Friends of the Mission Hills Library sponsors, and poet Curran Jeffery hosts an SDPA authors poetry reading and open mic.  All poets from the SDPA are invited to read their poem in the annual. All poetry aficionados and poets welcome to participate.

Saturday, April 16, at 8:30 pm.: Poetry Slam at the La Paloma Theatre. Check this out: No judges, scores or competition, just spoken word for the joy of poetry! Home and Away restaurant and bar is right next to the theater.  101 Artists’ Colony and Full Moon Poets: 760 473-5164.

Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m., poet/artist Deborah Ramos hosts Poets at the Bench outdoor open reading in Balboa Park, Cypress Grove. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and your best poems to share. Specific location:

Sunday, April 24, at 3 p.m., Award-winning classical pianist Jeeyoon Kim presents her newest project, 시음 /si-úm/ (PoetryMusic), which blends classical piano with poetry (in collaboration with authors Tae-Joo Na (나태주), Shaun Tomson, Michael Klam, and Rudy Francisco). All the details here.

Friday, April 29, at 3 p.m. (every last Friday), poets and organizers, Pat Andrus and Christophver R, lead Poetic Legacy Workshops at Park De La Cruz in City Heights. These gatherings/workshops bring writers and poetry aficionados together to delve deeply into the work of selected poets, from Joy Harjo to Ilya Kaminsky to Dorianne Laux…

***Featured image, Self Portrait, by Mary Kowit***