April is National Poetry Month. It’s a time when poets can celebrate by writing in workshops, sharing poems and receiving feedback, participating in open mics, + more. There are plenty of ways to get the inner poet moving in Northern New Jersey. Keep on reading to learn about ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in Northern New Jersey.
A Celebration of Nature Poetry + Native Plants at Museum of Early Trades + Crafts Education Annex | 23 Main Street, Madison
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On Wednesday, April 10th, A Celebration of Nature Poetry + Native Plants will take place from 7PM-8PM. This event celebrates National Poetry Month + Earth Day all in one by highlighting “Leaning Toward Light: Poems for Gardens + the Hands that Tends to Them.” Some features of this event are poems, conversation, + a book signing.
A Night on the Mic at Newark Symphony Hall | 1020 Broad Street, Newark
Originally made to be the Salaan Temple in 1925, the Newark Symphony Hall is now home to performances of opera, classical music, rock + roll, R + B, and more. On Tuesday, April 9th, from 6PM-10PM, the Symphony Hall will transform into A Night on the Mic. This event invites artists, musicians, poets, + performers into its space. Those who sign up will get the chance to perform on the Terrace Ballroom stage. This open mic is free. Those who can’t make it on the 9th of April can take a rain check as this open mic series runs every second Tuesday of the month all year long.
Read More: A Guide to Live Music Spots in Montclair + Essex County
Jersey Plums Poetry Group with Jersey City Writers | Online
Jersey City Writers seeks to be a constructive, community-building environment that believes in “uplifting support + constructive criticism.” All genres of writing are welcome in this space and there is a meeting available for all kinds of writing. Saturday mornings are reserved for Jersey Plums Poetry Group. These workshop-style meetings give poets the chance to work on their craft by submitting two poems ahead of time to have their work critiqued. There’s also a writing prompt in the workshops. In addition to reading + critiquing poems, the workshop strives to cover additional poetry writing skills such as voice, tone, rhythm, + language. Currently, the poetry group meets remotely.
JPL’s Open Mic Night at Johnson Public Library | 274 Main Street, Hackensack
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Johnson Public Library in Hackensack has two events to celebrate Poetry Month. On Tuesday, April 9th the library is hosting a Writer’s Workshop, and poets are invited. Writers are welcome to bring samples of what they wrote to read their work and receive feedback. This workshop is from 6:30PM-8:30PM. On Thursday, April 18th the library will host JPL’s Open Mic Night for poetry, comedy, music + more. The doors open at 6:45PM for this open mic, and it runs from 7PM-9PM. Registration is optional and can be done through the library’s Eventbrite page.
Poetry Craft Workshop at The Writers Circle | Multiple Locations
The Writers Circle invites adults and children to take writing workshops. There are also summer programs for teens. The Writers Circle holds classes in Summit, Montclair, South Orange, Maplewood, Morristown, + online. Currently, there is a Poetry Craft Workshop that runs from April 8th until June 17th on Monday evenings from 7:30PM-9:30PM.
Poetry Reading at Livingston Public Library | 10 Robert H Harp Drive, Livingston
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The Livingston Public Library has resources for all writers and researchers with study rooms, wellness programs, online courses, tech assistance, and more. On Sunday, April 28th the library will run a Poetry Reading from 2 PM-3 PM. The hosts of the event are poets and former Livingston High School teachers Susan Rothbard, Ken Ronkowitz, and Mary Brancaccio. The program is open to all members of the community.
Uptown Poetry Night at Silver Stream Studio | 594 Valley Road, Montclair
Silver Stream Studio is an audio recording space located in Montclair. Appointments are available to record 24 hours, seven days a week. On Thursday, April 11th, the space will host an event titled Uptown Poetry Night from 7:30PM-9:30PM. If unable to celebrate National Poetry Day on the 11th of April, Silver Stream has this kind of open mic on the second Thursday of every month.
Say More Open Mic at Irvington Public Library | 5 Civic Square, Irvington
Irvington Public Library has space and resources for poets and writers, and one resource for poets is available on the first Thursday of every month. Celebrate Poetry Month here on April 4th from 6:30PM-8PM. Themes for this particular open mic include poetry, civic engagement, spoken word, and mental health awareness. Guests are welcome to partake and share their work or support the conversation.
Solace Ink: The Storm Open Mic Night at Southern Komfoht Bar + Grill | 501 Central Avenue, Orange
Southern Komfoht Bar + Grill is located on Central Avenue in South Orange and prides itself on providing a “modern soul food experience.” On Thursday, April 4th, Southern Komfoht will host Orange – Solace Ink: Tha Storm Open Mic. Here poets, singers, + comedians are welcome to perform their pieces. The event will run from 7PM-10PM.
What’s the Word Poetry Open Mic at Meläo | 1425 Irving Street, Rahway
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Meläo’s in Rahway is a cafe that serves all-day waffles, rolled ice cream, and specialty roasted coffees. Meläo will be hosting an open mic What’s the Word Open Mic on Saturday, April 20th from 6PM-9PM. The evening will include Adult Spoken Word, poetry, + more.
See More: Write With Flights: A Writing Workshop at Departed Soles in Jersey City
Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park | 72 McBride Avenue, Paterson
Poetic legend William Carols Williams is a New Jersey native. He is known for poems like Paterson, This Is Just to Say, The Red Wheelbarrow + many more. New Jersians can trace his footsteps by visiting Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park, which is the subject of his poem Paterson. Viewers will enjoy the fact that it’s the second-largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi, behind only Niagara Falls.
Yesand Creates at Madison Public Library | 10 Kings Road Madison
Yesand Creates is an organization that hosts monthly workshops through the Madison Public Library. Spoken Word poets lead with poetry exercises and conversation. On Wednesday, April, 24th workshops + an open mic will be held. Workshops start at 6PM, + the open mic begins at 7PM.
