Poetry Lounge, Millvale is proud to present an eclectic collection of poetry influenced events in honor of National Poetry Month!
“We have numerous literary events throughout the month of April to celebrate National Poetry Month. Alongside our Open Mic Tuesdays co-hosted by Pittsburgh Poetry Collective which are every Tuesday starting at 7pm, we have these added events…”
More information: https://www.poetrymillvale.com/event/national-poetry-month/
Free Poetry Workshops with Pittsburgh Poetry Collective
Tuesday April 2nd, 6-7pm – Blackout Poetry Workshop; Blackout poetry, is a form of found poetry wherein a poet takes an existing text and erases, blacks out, or otherwise obscures a large portion of the text, creating a wholly new work from what remains. Come to the bar from 6-7pm where facilitator Lori Beth will show you the joy of erasure.
Thursday April 4th, 7-9pm – Writing on the Wall Workshop: “Writing on the Wall” is a creative workshop sponsored by the Pittsburgh Poetry Collective that draws inspiration from the intriguing prompts found on bathroom walls, back alleys, and other unique spaces. Participants will explore the diverse and often humorous snippets of text, drawings, and musings commonly discovered in public spaces. Through guided activities, attendees will harness the spontaneity and raw expression found in these unconventional settings to fuel their own poetry. Whether it’s deciphering cryptic messages, interpreting doodles, or reflecting on the unique atmosphere of bathroom graffiti, this workshop aims to unlock the hidden narratives within the seemingly mundane. Participants can expect a fun and thought-provoking experience that encourages them to find inspiration in unexpected places and translate it into their own unique written expressions. The activity will culminate on poets using Sharpies to write their new works on the exterior walls of the Poetry Lounge to be memorialized forever.
Entry Fee: $5 suggested donation
Tuesday April 9th, 6-7pm – Poet Photography: A night of free poet photography in honor of National Poetry Month. Come and enjoy complimentary artist photos with the amazing Lightspell Portraiture . This event is first come first serve 6pm-7pm come dressed to impress. The bar/stage/booths and street (weather permitting) will be our backdrop. Come get a good promo photo without your eyes closed and mouth hanging agape. Open Mic to follow so bring your poems!
Tuesday April 16th, 6-7pm – Ekphastic Poetry: A Collaboration with the Pittsburgh Photography Club to showcase Ekphrastic poetry. The art of creating art from art. Come and see a photography art show and hear the poems they inspired 6-7pm. Open Mic to follow. With host Keivon “Harly” Brown
TuesdayApril 30th, 6-7pm – “That’s A Fact”: Join us for a free poetry workshop at The Poetry Lounge in honor of National Poetry Month & taught by two time GRAND SLAM CHAMPION Shockie G. The workshop will be from 6-7pm ” THAT’S A FACT: A Generative workshop using ” facts” to build a poem.
A Night of Poetry
Saturday April 6th, 7-9pm
An exciting roster of prominent poets: Adriana E. Ramírez is a Mexican-Colombian writer, critic, columnist, and performance poet based in Pittsburgh. She won the inaugural PEN/Fusion Emerging Writers Prize in 2015 for her novella-length work of nonfiction, Dead Boys (Little A, 2016). From 2016-2020 she served as Critic-at-Large for the Los Angeles Times Book Section. Jesse Welch is a poet, father, and untalented juggler. He is the co-founder and host of the Nasty Slam, Pittsburgh’s head-to-head deathmatch slam. He has competed at the National Poetry Slam for Chicago, Seattle, and Pittsburgh. He has been performing his poetry since he was twelve years old and appears in the award-winning documentary Louder Than A Bomb. Jeffrey Cyphers Wright received his MFA after studying with AllenGinsberg. A New Romantic poet, he is also a publisher, critic, eco-activist, impresario, filmmaker, and artist. He is author of 20 books of verse. Recent work appears in Best American Poetry 2023. He has received a Kathy Acker Award and a James Tate Award. You can see his puppet shows on Youtube. Wright publishes Live Mag!
City Books’ Writers in Residence Past & Present
Monday April 15th, 7-11pm
An evening of readings from their Writers-in-Residence Program past & present. Featuring: Charles Huysman, Erica Hom, Dade Lemanski, Trevor Moffa, Alex Pepper, SJ Powell, Leo Smith, Kelsey Swintek, Marsha Timblin, Alyssa Velasquez
Sean D. Enright & Courtney Sage Poetry Book Releases & Readings
Thursday April 11th, 6-7pm
Sean D. Enright, Author of “Pittsburgh Drinks: A History of Cocktails, Nightlife & Bartending Tradition”, and owner of Poetry Lounge, releases his seventh book (fifth book of poetry) “What if We Made Love by the Burning Dumpster Fires at Take A Break Bar”, as the first offering from Poetry Lounge Publishing. Mr. Enright will read from the new chapbook, and signed copies will be available for purchase. Courtney Sage reads from her book of poetry “Hopping the Fence to Peace”. It officially launches on Valentine’s Day. It’s raw, it’s messy, it is an unfiltered look into heartbreak, recovery from a toxic relationship, and what it feels like to find freedom on the other side. It will be available for purchase through Amazon.
An Evening of Poetry with Kevin Finn & Friends
Thursday April 18th, 8-11pm
Readings with: Kevin Finn, Kristofer Collins. Bill Hughes, Elijah Bennedict Brown with special musical guest: Robin Vote
yawp Art + Literature ‘Zine
Friday April 19th
RELEASE DAY! The return of this popular small press ‘zine from the early 00’s! Published by Poetry Lounge, Millvale. Featuring such acclaimed poets as Leslie Anne McIlroy, Jim Daniels, Michael Simms, Joan Bauer and more… this small independent Pgh ‘zine returns… bridging the gap between generations of poets past and present on the Pittsburgh scene, as well as many award -winning poets and writers from across the country. For sale at Poetry Lounge, Millvale.
yawp Carnival Poetica
Friday April 19th, 7-midnight
Official release day of newly revived legacy-Pittsburgh-poetry “yawp Art + Literature ‘Zine” also brings the return of yawp Carnival Poetica! A multi-disciplinary poetic extravaganza featuring some old familiar faces and some new performances. Featuring Kevin “The Nerve” Wenner, Chiina Bloodmire, Keroscenery (Pete Bush’s new project), K-Harly, Basura, Sarah Rose, Bingo Quixote, Leslie Anne McIlroy, Mark Dignam, and The Old Cob!
Open Art Night
Tuesday April 23rd, 7-10pm
Pgh Poetry Collective’s yearly Grand Slam will be held at City of Asylum on this particular date. As a courtesy to our poets who regularly attend, so they may instead attend PPC Grand Slam, we will be offering a unique OPEN ART NIGHT for our more visually persuaded creatives, celebrating the great bard’s birthday! Carrie Clayton from Local Provisions will lead a guided tour for artists of every medium. We’ll be working with live models, having open discussions about our processes and mediums, and mentoring other artists. Dying Breed Tattoo & Stony Montana Tattoo will be tattooing throughout the night. We will have a signup for tattoos. They will be flash art that the artists bring. Each artist will be able to do 3-4 tattoos based on a first come, first serve basis. So get here early (tattoo pricing will vary depending on size)
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