CARRBORO, NC – April is Poetry Month in Carrboro, proclaimed by Mayor Barbara Foushee.
Residents are encouraged to celebrate poetry and poets by reading, listening to, and sharing poems. Free local poetry events organized by Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis are continuing throughout April, including an Earth Day seedling giveaway at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market on April 20, where young people can contribute a line to this year’s community poem; and a workshop with former Poet Laureate Gary Phillips on April 25; Lanza’s Café Poetry Open Mic Night on April 26; and a youth poetry writing workshop as part of Carrboro in Motion at Collins Crossing Apartment on April 27.
Audiences came out on Monday, April 15, for poetry, popcorn and pie in honor of Poetry Month. Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis and Former Carrboro Poet Laureate Fred Joiner were featured in this fun Open Mic night at the Carrboro Century Center.
Did you know? The Town of Carrboro established the position of poet laureate in 2002 to enhance the presence of poetry in the social and civic life of Carrboro. Each Town Council meeting begins with the reading of a poem.
The Academy of American Poets designated the month of April as National Poetry Month in 1996 to celebrate the legacy and ongoing achievements of poets in the United States, introduce the pleasures and benefits of reading poetry, bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways, and make poetry an important part of children’s education.
Each year, the Town of Carrboro holds the West End Poetry Festival in October to bring together poets of diverse styles, backgrounds, and stages of development to share poems and their love of poetry. Learn more at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2781/West-End-Poetry-Festival
Read the Poetry Month Proclamation at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14496/Poetry-Month-Proclamation-2024
Photo Caption - Mayor Barbara Foushee and Carrboro Poet Laureate Liza Wolff-Francis