NCWN

This festival explores the theme of “Home: Place and Planet.” Events include readings by local and visiting poets. Readings such as “The Voice of Change: Poetry by Young People” and “Spirit of Place: Tracey Schmidt and James Davis” provide vantage points into how we experience the places where we live. There is also a Poetry in Translation event and an open mike for everyone. There is time built into the other readings for people to add their own voices. If you write, bring your poems. There are children's and youth poetry events as well. The festival begins with a reading by poets in the Great Smokies Writing Program at UNCA on Wednesday night at Grateful Steps followed by an open mike at Kava Bar. On Thursday evening local poets and singers Barbie Angell, Jonathan Santos, Roberto Hess and Ten Cent Poetry (Chelsea LaBate) perform at Grateful Steps. On Friday May 4 at 7:00 pm, the festival moves to Altamont Theater with an array of local voices working in spoken word, song, avant gard, and formal verse. Visit the website for the full schedule.