Experience the Power of the Spoken Word with Storytelling, Poetry and Open Mic Gatherings in Alachua County

Alachua County is a vibrant destination with year-round cultural opportunities for artists and art lovers alike. Explore our alphabetical list of organizations specializing in poetry and spoken word events throughout the year.

Do you know of a poetry or spoken word related event in Alachua County that others should know about? Send information to info@visitgainesville.com.

ARTSPEAKS is an organization dedicated to promoting literacy, encouraging creativity, bringing awareness through Art Activism, and expanding ideas and opportunity by providing a medium for expression through the Art of poetry, spoken word and storytelling. ARTSPEAKS produces annual events including Bringing Poetry & People Together, Courageous Young Voices, the Youth Poet Laureate Program and Bard and Broadside North Central Florida Poetry Festival.

bard and broadside

Bard and Broadside North Central Florida Poetry Festival
Thursday, April 13 – Sunday, April 16 at Multiple Venues

See an interview with Alachua County Poet Laureate, E. Stanley Richardson and learn more about his work and the Bard and Broadside Poetry Festival:

The Bailey Learning and Arts Collective, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help build knowledgeable, socially responsible communities and leaders utilizing a grassroots ideology, low and no-cost activities, and arts promotion and instruction.

black women write

Black Women Write: 2-Day Writing Workshop for Writers of All Levels at Santa Fe College Blount Center
Friday, September 29 – Saturday, September 30, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.

The Civic Media Center & Stetson Kennedy Library Inc. is an alternative library, reading room and community space.

toast with jam spelling the word "jam"

Thursday Poetry Jam at Civic Media Center
Thursdays, 8 p.m.

Join DOPEnmic for open mic events around Gainesville at various venues including the Harn Museum of Art, The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino and more. DOPEnmic creates a space for underrepresented artists.

close up of microphone

Open Mic at the Harn Museum of Art, Part of the Bard and Broadside Poetry Festival
Thursday, April 13, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Guts & Glory GNV is a comedic live storytelling organization that helps everyday people put their awesome stories on stage. They cast a show to a theme, coach the storytellers and curate a knock-out show.

decisions decisions

Decisions, Decisions at The Wooly
Thursday, May 11, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Located behind Satchels Pizza, Lightnin’ Salvage includes a bar, junk museum, gift shop and performance stage. Open mic nights occur on the first Wednesday of the month, and Hogtown Rounders feature songwriters in the round with stories and insights into the songwriting process.

Hogtown Rounders at Lightnin’ Salvage
Tuesday, May 2, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

open mic night

Open Mic Night at Lightnin’ Salvage
Wednesday, May 3, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Your story matters and Self Narrate helps you tell it. Learn how to compose your story at a workshop or attend a storytelling event to share with others.

finding community

Finding Community Storytelling Meetup at The Bull
Thursday, April 13, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.


Whats Good Alachua County
sippin seven

Click Here To Check Out Our Member Properties & Plan Your Next Florida Vacation Today