SAVE THE DATES!  The West End Poetry Festival will take place in Carrboro, from Wednesday, October 16, to Saturday, October 19, 2019. Celebrations will start at Johnny’s Gone Fishing. The Carrboro Poets Council will present their work followed by the WEPF’s traditional ice cream social.

More than 20 poets will participate in the curated poetry reading located at Cats Cradle Back Room. The festival wouldn’t be complete without a wine and cheese reception paired with fantastic poetry readings. This year will feature Jonathan Farmer, Jacinta White, Eduardo Corral, and Alison Rollins.

Wednesday, October 16 | starts at 6:30 pm | Johnny’s on West Main St.

The first night of the festival features a poets’ reception (open to all), poetry readings, and an ice cream social. There will be time for socializing and connecting with this year’s participants. Carrboro’s Poets Council will read including:

Abigail Browning
Jay Bryan
Maura High
Fred Joiner
Gary Phillips
Susan Willey Spalt
Gideon Young

Thursday, October 17 | starts at 6:30 pm | The Back Bar at Cat’s Cradle,  Carrboro

The second evening will host the reprisal of the curated open mic featuring selected poets. These poets come from diverse regions, cultural backgrounds, and ideologies. The day will proceed with all of the remaining poets in the room. Are you ready for beautiful readings from outstanding poets? Participants include the following:

LeJuane (El’Ja) Bowens
Takudzwa Chikepe
Abbate Chris
Zachariah Claypole White
Stevie Daniels
Hugh Findlay
Olivia Gillingham
Janis Harrington
James Hatfield
John Hoppenthaler
Wayne Johns
Paul Jones
Kelly Jones
Alice Osborn
Richard Ostrander
Dee Stribling
Doug Stuber
emilio taiveaho peláez
Delaney Watson
Emily Wilson

Friday, October 18 | starts at 6:30 | Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill | 4 Poets and a Wine and Cheese Reception

Saturday, October 19 | starts at 1 pm | The Century Center 

1:00 – 1:45 pm: Introduction and reading by Fred Joiner
1:45 – 2:00 pm: Break
2:00 – 3:00 pm: Poetry workshop by Jonathan Farmer
3:00 – 3:15 pm: Break
3:15 – 3:45 pm: Vendor Showcase—Listen to publishers read a poem from one of their featured books
3:45 – 4:15 pm: Break—Mingle with vendors and check out their books
4:15 – 5:00 pm: Reading by Alison Rollins
5:00 – 5:45 pm: Mingle/wine/snacks—Book signing, meet with poets, celebrate the day

2nd Wind pm: (New This Year!)

6:00 – 9:00 pm: Open Mic Afterparty hosted by CJ Suitt and the Sacrificial Poets

HOPE TO SEE ALL OF YOU AT THE FESTIVAL!