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Celebrate National Poetry Month with Writing Out Loud POETRY Weekend! April 25-26, 2025
- ArtsXchange
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 24
April is National Poetry Month, and at the ArtsXchange, we’re celebrating with a powerful weekend of spoken word, storytelling, and community in partnership with South Fulton Arts and with sponsorship from Fidelity Charitable. Poetry and slam remain popular today because they provide writers, both young and old, with two unique and powerful ways to express complex emotions, explore the human experience, and foster empathy and understanding—qualities that are essential in our current times.
Writing Out Loud POETRY Weekend brings together voices to honor the beauty and impact of poetry. From the electrifying Madmen and Poets kickoff to the high-stakes Spring Fling $1,000 Poetry Slam, this weekend is a tribute to the forty year literary legacy that has shaped our community.
A highlight of the weekend is the Celebrating Our Literary Legacy reading and panel, featuring members of the Atlanta Writing Resource Center. This free event on Saturday, April 26th, from 4–6 PM will showcase performances by BIPOC poets, with a special tribute to poet and editor Malkia M’Buzi Moore, who founded the Atlanta Writing Resource Center in 1986 and propelled the ArtsXchange’s literary tradition forward. Featured poets include Felton Eaddy, Jacqui Marie Gordon, Opal Moore, Malkia M’Buzi Moore, and Michael Simanga, with music by Kenito and a panel moderated by Janice Liddell. Following the event, join us for a reception sponsored by Fidelity Charitable, featuring delicious offerings from Anisa Lewis of Unsolicited Cooking Advice.
Since the founding of the Atlanta Writer Resource Center in 1986 and the launch of the AXC Literary Program in 2019, literature has been at the heart of our mission. We honor the visionaries who paved the way—Malkia M’Buzi Moore, whose leadership brought world-class poets into our orbit, and Theresa Davis, who continues to expand the literary landscape with innovative workshops, open mics, and the introduction of our slam tradition. Today, the AXC Literary Program is a thriving force, hosting over 60 events annually and fostering intergenerational connections through poetry and storytelling.
Join us as we celebrate the voices that shape our world, uplift our stories, and keep the art of poetry and storytelling alive!
Poetry Out Loud Weekend at the ArtsXchange
In Partnership with South Fulton Arts and Fidelity Charitable
April 25-26, 2025
MadMen & Poets
TICKETS $10
Fri. Apr 25, 2025
8:00PM
"MadMen & Poets is the brainchild of Theresa Davis, where comedy improv collides with poetry for a night of laughter and contemplation. This one-of-a-kind showdown featuring Crazy Sexy Cool the razor-sharp improv team mash it up with Theresa’s lineup of thought-provoking poets, blending quick-witted humor with the power of spoken word co hosted with Mark Kendall."
Poets
Nikki Gray
Mia Willis
Ryan J
Mark Kendal
Crazy Sexy Cool Ensemble
Reese Garcia
Lenise Lyons
Nikki Radford
Akia Sembly
Preethi Sundararaman
Thomas Trinh
Brittany Venzen
Writing Workshops
Sat. Apr 26, 2025
10AM - 12PM
1PM - 3PM
Opal Moore – "Writing Back"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Riley Memorial Library
This workshop invites writers to respond in their own voices to a well-known or meaningful poem or short prose work. Inspired by the work of the late Palestinian poet and professor, Refaat Alareer.
Mr. Funn – "Self-Publishing"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Robeson Theater
An insightful workshop on the essentials of publishing, covering copyrights, securing an ISBN, working with publishing companies, and self-publishing.
Amena Brown – "Bring Your Unfinished Poem"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ebon Dooley Community Room
Stuck on a poem? Bring your unfinished work for a session of workshopping, writing, and sharing!
Boris "Bluz" Rogers – "Funny Side-Up"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Robeson Theater
Explore the humorous side of poetry with exercises and prompts to add to your poetic toolkit.
Talicha J – "Golden Shovel: An Homage to Form in Black Poetics"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Riley Memorial Library
Participants will explore the Golden Shovel form through the works of Black poets such as Patricia Smith, Jae Nichelle, and Taylor Byas.
Johnathan Samuel Eddie – "Say? What! Now?"
Sat. Apr 26, 2025 | $10
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Ebon Dooley Community Room
Is your poem suffering from a bad case of the "blahs"? Learn how to bring back its sparkle, energy, and impact!
Celebrating the Roots of our Literary Legacy: A Reading and Panel Discussion
FREE Event
Sat. Apr 26, 2025
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Performances by BIPOC poets, featuring a tribute to poet & editor Malkia M’Buzi Moore, who propelled the ArtsXchange’s literary tradition with the Atlanta Writing Resource Center in 1986. Performances from Felton Eaddy, Jacqui Marie Gordon, Opal Moore, Malkia M'Buzi Moore and Michael Simanga. Music by Kenito. Panel moderator - Janice Liddell.
From the opening of the Atlanta Writer Resource Center in 1986 to the AXC Literary Program in 2019, literature and literacy have been at the core of our programming. Join us as we pay tribute to Malkia M’Buzi Moore, who started us on this long history of writing programs and brought celebrated poets like Maya Angelou and John Oliver Killens among others into our orbit. To Theresa Davis, who has continued that literary tradition with innovative classes and open mics to the introduction of our Slam tradition. Today, the literary program is a centerpiece of our community work, reaching multiple generations and offering over 60 events a year.
RECEPTION TO FOLLOW - Unsolicited Cooking Advice
Welcome by Alice Lovelace, ArtsXchange Executive Director
MC: Kenneth Zakee
Panel Moderator - Janice Liddell
2025 Spring Fling Poetry Slam
TICKETS | $20 ADV | $25 AT THE DOOR
Sat. Apr 26, 2025
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Doors Open and List Posting:
7:30 pm
Slam starts:
8pm
Poetry Slam Rules:
Competition Format: Winner-takes-all/ cumulative score
Rounds: 3 rounds
Time Limit per Poet: 3 minutes, 10 seconds
Number of Competing Poets: 12
12 poets in the first round
8 poets in the second round
4 poets in the third round
Judges:
5 judges will determine the winner
Restrictions:
No props, no music, no costumes, only original work allowed`
Prizes:
1st place $1,000
2nd place $300
3rd place $200
Tips for Participants:
Bring your A-game, as it's a winner-takes-all competition.
Ensure your poetry is within the 3-minute 10 seconds time limit
Remember, no props, no music, no costumes and only original work are allowed.
If you decide to participate, make sure to arrive early to secure your spot on the list (you cannot have someone sign you up, a ticket does not guarantee a spot in the slam), and best of luck in the Poetry Slam! Doors Open and List Posting: 7:30 pm
In partnership with South Fulton Arts.
Additional sponsors Atlanta Writers Club
The Southeast Community Cultural Center d/b/a the ArtsXchange is supported by business donors, annual members, and individuals like you. We are thankful for the support from the Threshold Foundation, Fulton County Arts & Culture under the guidance of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, Fidelity Charitable, The Community Corps, Georgia Council for the Arts under the guidance of the State of Georgia Legislators and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Our Environmental Justice Accelerator work is funded by Partnership for Southern Equity with funding from The Greening of America’s Cities, and Shades of Green Permaculture. Our literary programs are presented in partnership with South Fulton Arts, The Official Accommodation Provider - Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North and The Atlanta Writer's Club. We encourage you to become a donor or member today!
