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HAPPY POETRY MONTH 2026!
HERE'S THE SCHEDULE SO FAR!
NOTE: You will notice that there are not as many events in the SPC schedule for Poetry Month this year. The reason is, in part, because we will have a Fall Poetry Conference from October 24-26, with the final day being the 40th Anniversary of Sacramento Poetry Day. Stay tuned! We will instead highlight some of the many literary events going on in the city and regionally in addition to SPC events.
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SPC & COLLABORATIVE EVENTS IN APRIL
Monday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. @ SPC
A Reading Featuring Julia Levine and David Holper
SPC is excited to welcome these poets back to the room!
Julia Levine is the author of many award winning collections, including Ordinary Psalms, Small Disasters Seen in Sunlight (winner of the Northern California Book Award in Poetry), Ditch-tender, Ask (winner of the Tampa Review Prize), Practicing for Heaven (winner of the Robert Dana-Anhinga Prize for Poetry, as well as the recipient of a bronze medal from Foreword Magazine). Her recent collection Lullaby for the Sixth Extinction won the 2024 Wolfson Press Prize. She has also received the Pablo Neruda Prize in Poetry, the Bellevue Literary Review Poetry Prize, and a Discovery/The Nation Prize, In 2022, Levine received an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship for her work in building resiliency in teenagers related to climate change through poetry, science and technology.
Julia B. Levine was born in New York City, grew up in Flint, Michigan and currently lives in Davis, CA, where she served as Poet Laureate. She received an MFA from Pacific University and a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley in Clinical Psychology. See more about Julia a sites.google.com/view/juliablevine/.
David Holper has published four collections of poetry, Bord för En (Swedish for “Table for One”) (Broken Tribe Press), Language Lessons: A Linguistic Hejira (Deeper Magic Press), The Bridge (Sequoia Song Publications) 64 Questions (March Street Press) and one novel, The Church of the Very Last Chance (Deeper Magic Press). His poems and stories have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies. He lives in Eureka, California, where he served as the City of Eureka’s inaugural poet laureate from August 2019 through August 2021. He loves that Eureka is far enough away from the madness of civilization, so he can still hear the Canada geese. His website is https://www.davidholper.com.
An open mic follows. Sign ups 7-7:30 p.m.
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Saturday, April 11, 6-8 p.m. @ SPC
Reception for the Exhibit: The Cafe Portraits of Esteban Villa
For Poetry Month, and in solidarity with the ongoing program InFormation: Celebrating The Royal Chicano Air Force, the SPC Gallery is showing some of the many small portraits that Esteban Villa, artist, muralist, musician, and co-founder of the Royal Chicano Air Force, made while sitting in cafes, poetry and music venues, and bars around town over many years. He generously gave the drawings to the subject. Some people have many of them.
Villa passed away in 2022, leaving a rich legacy. At his memorial, attendees were given small pads of paper printed with the signature geometric pattern with which he almost always began these drawings, and a little box of crayons to sketch their own portraits — such was their significance.
We’re very grateful to those who were willing to lend their drawings for the exhibit. The exhibit will be added to throughout the month. Bring yours and we’ll hang them!
Please join us for a reception on Saturday, April 11 from 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m. @ SPC
The Annual Soft Offs Concert & Fundraiser!
This is a not-to-miss event! The Softs Offs always bring it!
The popular “Moetry” band returns for their annual good time fundraiser at SPC. The Soft Offs are an eclectic spoken word band that takes the written word from page to stage with energetic performances throughout the Sacramento area. They turn haters of poetry into lovers of “MOETRY” (poetry + music = MOETRY). The Soft Offs are: Laura Martin, poet; Chris Musci, guitar; Greg Willett, keyboards; Bill F. McFall, trumpet; Anthony Lucero, drums; Ken Rabiroff, bass; and Timothy "Mudbone" Tucker, vocals. https://www.facebook.com/TheSoftOffs/. The event is free, but as it is a fundraiser, donations are requested in support of SPC’s programs.
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Monday, April 13, 7:30 p.m. @ SPC
A Reading & Book Signing Featuring Susanna & Wil Gibson
Be sure to join us for this unique and unforgettable performance by Susanna and Wil Gibson, a married poetry duo whose work is as raw and unrelenting as it is beautiful, honest, and deeply emotional, powerful in its vulnerability, but also playful, loving, and joyfully engaging.
The pair is on tour in celebration of the release of Susanna Gibson’s poetry collection, Homestead in Reverse (Swimming With Elephants Publications, 2026), a book of tremendous power, grit, cool, and strength. It is a milestone that adds depth and resonance to their live performances, weaving together themes of identity, love, resilience, backbone, truth, and more, all delivered with an authenticity that resonates across diverse audiences.
They are also celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the release of poetry and slam veteran Wil’s (Poet Laureate Emeritus of Eureka, Ca.) Harvest the Dirt. Sadly, they also mourn the end of the book’s wonderful publisher Great Weather for Media. Grab your copies of the limited final production run before their gone! These two published collections bookend the couple’s relationship, as the release for Harvest is woven into their origin story.
Some of you may remember the wonderful reading given by Wil and his son Harvey — as Unrelated Issues — a couple years ago. A great evening. The expectation is high for this one!
An open mic follows. Sign ups 7-7:30 p.m.
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*CORRECTED INFO*
Friday, April 17, 2026, 7 p.m. @ SPC
The Sacramento Poetry Center and the Crocker Art Museum present:
Honoring Voces de la Causa: Poetry y Plática
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THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT SPC
The Sacramento Poetry Center and the Crocker Art Museum present a poetry recital of original and canonical works by women, with a plática (conversation), facilitated by Dr. Ella Maria Diaz, on violence against women and children in the social justice movements for human rights. A Q&A and a brief open mic on related themes will follow.
Featured speakers include JoAnn Anglin, Dr. Rebeca Burciaga, Dr. Ella Maria Diaz, Traci Gourdine, Carissa Gutierrez, and Liv Styler.
While you’re there, check out the Crocker’s exhibits Rebels With La Causa which runs through June, and Making Moves: A Collection of Feminisms, which runs through May.
SPC is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Crocker. Special thanks to Houghton Kinsman for his support of the community on behalf of the museum. Doors open at 6 p.m.
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Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m. @ SPC
A Reading Featuring Mariam Ahmed & Anthony Xavier Jackson
Please join us for this reading with a visiting poet, and a local favorite.
Mariam Ahmed is a Californian poet, born to Pakistani-Muslim parents, who grew up in the Bay Area and Folsom, CA. Mariam earned her MFA in Poetry from San Diego State University and her BA in English Literature with a minor in Sociology from the University of California, Davis.
Her latest book, Hidden Parts, was published by Broken Tribe Press in 2025. Her debut poetry collection, Moments of Astral Projection (The Offending Adam, 2021), explores themes of memory, transformation, and the intersections of space and time.
Her poems have appeared in many literary journals, including Progenitor Art and Literary Journal, The Rising Phoenix Review, Maintenant: A Journal of Contemporary Dada Art & Poetry, the Mid-Atlantic Review, The Elevation Review, and Kitchen Table Quarterly, among others.
Anthony Xavier Jackson is the author of poetry collection The Razor of Your Smile (self published, 2025). This series of poems includes selections originally published by SPC’s Tule Review, The Words Faire, Wingless Dreamer, and TAP Journal. Anthony is also a musician and music producer. His most recent musical work is an album titled Black Noise, available on Bandcamp. A founding member of the Sacramento literary group GTFO, edited and helped publish GTFO Journal 2024: An Anthology of Sacramento Poets. He has also participated in organizing events on behalf of the group.
Anthony’s poem Fentanyl garnered the 2024 Sacramento Poetry Week top prize. Anthony has also featured on KDVS numerous times as a guest of Professor Andy Jones to discuss his greatest loves, music and poetry.
A brief open mic will follow as time allows.
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Monday, April 20, 7:30 p.m. @ SPC
Reading Featuring Beza & Eden Getahun, and Kimberly White
This event will highlight the accomplishments of two young poets who happen to be sisters, and welcome back an old friend of the Sacramento poetry community.
Beza Getahun is a tenth-grade student at C.K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento, California, where she was born and raised. A 2026 Poetry Out Loud: Poetry Ourselves Champion for her original poem, Alchemy, she believes poetry has given her a powerful way to express herself beyond what words alone could capture. Her work explores the many experiences she has carried with her over time, including navigating predominantly white institutions and struggling with self-expression. She is deeply grateful to have found a space where her voice is heard and is excited to share a piece of herself with you all.
Eden Getahun is a poet and community builder born and raised in Sacramento, California (and Beza’s older sister). A recent Harvard graduate, she was a 2020 California Poetry Out Loud champion. She believes in the power of verse to heal, connect, and reimagine what's possible, both in her interpersonal life and in our collective ones. Her work explores the many faces of love — for friends, for the natural world, for the people we choose — while tracing conflict and loss through family or the weight of a world at war. She is thrilled to be back home and sharing her work in the community.
Kimberly White’s latest novel is Waterfall Girls (CLASH Books, 2021). Currently, she has poetry collections forthcoming from Cholla Needles Arts and Literary Library, and Nightmare Press. Her poetry has appeared in The Massachusetts Review, Main Street Rag, Cream City Review, and other journals and anthologies. She is the author of four chapbooks, Penelope, A Reachable Tibet, The Daily Diaries of Death, and Letters to a Dead Man; as well as two other novels: Bandy’s Restola, and Hotel Tarantula. She also dabbles in other arts, and spends most of her time in Northern California with her pens and papers and massive collection of Tarot decks.
An open mic follows. Sign ups 7-7:30 p.m.
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Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m. @ SPC
Vincent Kobelt Presents Haiku Flip Book Day — A Workshop
Come celebrate Haiku during National Poetry Month at the Sacramento Poetry Center on Haiku Flip Book Day! Make a Flipbook with a traditional Japanese haiku in a workshop led by poet and teacher Vincent Kobelt. The workshop will present a brief overview of Haiku. Attendees will select a Haiku from which to choose an image or idea, and illustrate it using the simple flip book technique. Participants will also read their choice(s) to the group — if they’re willing. Materials will be available from which to select poems.
This fun workshop is suitable for all ages elementary school through adult. Minors under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
For the flip book, you’ll need to bring a stack of index cards — preferably blank, a 3/4” binder clip, and a Sharpie. Some materials will be provided.
Vincent will select three of the finished flip books to be reproduced digitally on the SPC website.
Come and have a little fun!
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Wednesday, April 22, 6 p.m. @ Amatoria Fine Art Books
SPC & Amatoria Fine Art Books present an Earth Day Reading
Featuring Julia Levine & Liz Ryder Baxmeyer
On Wednesday, April 22, at 6 p.m., SPC joins with Amatoria Fine Art Books to present an Earth Day reading and open mic, featuring Davis poet and Poet Laureate Emerita Julia Levine, and Sacramento poet, songwriter, and Calendula Review editor Liz Ryder Baxmeyer. And you!
Julia will draw from the work she’s done around the effects of climate change on young people and read selections from her recent collection Lullaby for the Sixth Extinction (winner if the 2024 Wolfson Press Prize) and other sources; Liz will read from her earthy, mystical collection Root & Bone, and elsewhere, and sing you a song or two.
Admission is free, but Amatoria requests one purchase during your visit. Support your local bookseller!
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Friday, April 24, 7 p.m. @ SPC
SPC’s New Rivers Al Cortez Memorial Youth Edition
As Seen In The Season Change Book Release
The special edition of New Rivers edited by Oswaldo Vargas, As Seen In The Season Change, was inspired by a request from our late friend and colleague Al Cortez to host an awarded contest for poets 18-25 years old, and publish the poems. The positive response resulted in this collection. The issue is dedicated to Al’s memory, and includes poems by Francesca Street, Jewels, Maris Juwono, Will Alpers, Natalie Lata, Angelina Waidelich, Dyson Smith, and one by Al.
Congratulations the winners of the contest!
First Place prize of $100 goes to Francesca Street
Second Place prize of $50 goes to Jewels
All contributors will be on hand to read their poems, and the winners will receive their prizes and a certificate. Young poets 18-25 are invited to read in a brief open mic.
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Sunday, April 26, 4 p.m. @ SPC
Mary Mackey presents a Talk and Workshop on the Brazilian Cordel
Along the way during her many trips to Brazil, poet, novelist, and professor Mary Mackey was exposed to Cordels (formally Cordel Literature), small chapbook or zine style publications — sometimes just a few sheets printed on recycled paper with a cover printed from a woodblock or linocut. They are often political poems or texts, sometimes anonymous, produced by common people and sold at markets. She has amassed a nice collection of them, many quite beautiful, and will bring some to show the audience when she presents a talk and workshop about them, and will read some in English translation. The Cordel tradition dates back to the 15th Century.
Mary has this to say: “I'll be giving a workshop on how to make small books of your own poetry which — in Brazil — are called ‘cordels’ because they are hung up on cords (clotheslines) in markets like laundry and sold to people otherwise occupied buying groceries (from the Portuguese term, literatura de cordel, literally "string literature”). Made of very inexpensive materials by people who are often quite poor, these little books are wonderful, entertaining, and at times brilliant examples of poetry that flourishes outside the usual networks of readings, academic institutions, and even small presses. I will bring some of the cordels that I've been buying from time to time for about 50 cents apiece on my visits to Brazil. I’ll also bring a couple of the hand-carved woodblocks used to print the covers. Even if you don't want to try to make a cordel for your own poetry, the Brazilian ones are a lot of fun to look at and often have strange, humorous titles like ‘Attack of the Giant Dengue Mosquito’ — complete with illustrations.”
According to the poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade it is one of the purest manifestations of the inventive spirit, the sense of humor and the critical capacity of Brazilians from the interior and of the humblest backgrounds.
You will be able to try your hand at creating your own! Materials will be provided.
You might compare them to the kind of publications used at various historical periods, particularly in times of revolution — easily produced, inexpensive, without censorship — think Tom Paine’s Common Sense, originally published anonymously, now a canonical document and spark starter.
They will be displayed appropriately! Please join us. Free!
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Monday, April 27, 7:30 p.m. @ SPC
A Group Reading by Participants of the SPC Tuesday Night Workshop
The Tuesday Night Poetry Workshop at SPC is probably the longest running poetry workshop in Sacramento history. It was already into a full decade or more when long time facilitator Danyen Powell took it over 31 years ago.
It has been a long time since the group featured at SPC, and we’re glad to have them in the Monday Night Series, especially for Poetry Month.
The reading will be in person and on zoom. Here is the link to join on Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7638733462?omn=89534050034
Meeting ID: 763 873 3462
Participating in the reading will be Shelagh Nugent, Ann Ralph, Charlotte Catherine, Doreen Beyer, Jaki Joanino-Sipat, Dotty Wilber, Shawn Pittard, Tom Hedt, Allegra Silberstein, David Quinley, Gary Kruse, and workshop facilitator Danyen Powell.
Because of the number of readers, there will be an open mic only if time allows.
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Wednesday, April 29 & Thursday, April 30, 7-9 p.m. @ SPC
The Reading Room: A Two Night Poetry Experience
Presented by Sac Poets and the SPC Polyphonics Workshop
This two night event will be a joint effort of Sac Poets and Polyphonics, centered on the art of reading poetry, and hosted by Chio Saetern and Kyle Griffiths.
Night One, Wednesday, April 29: Close Reading —
This night is a guided introduction to reading poetry critically, followed by an open, supportive discussion of poems chosen by participants. Bring a poem you love from a favorite collection or your own work, and spend time slowing down, noticing more, and engaging deeply with language in community.
Night Two, Thursday, April 30: The Reading Room —
On the second night, the space transforms into a silent poetry reading party. Settle in with blankets, snacks, and your current reads as we share space with fellow poetry lovers. This will be an intentional, low-pressure environment in which to read, reflect, and reconnect with poetry at your own pace. Feel free to bring blankets, pillows, or anything that helps you settle in.
The night culminates with an optional open reading — share a favorite line, poem, or something you discover that night!
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COMMUNITY (& VIRTUAL) EVENTS HIGHLIGHTED FOR POETRY MONTH
While we feel that every poetry event should be a highlight, we have selected a few from the many to bring to your attention, and to show the diversity of our regional literary community. More listings are in the Events section deeper in the newsletter. See you out there!
Friday, April 3, 6 p.m.
Two Rivers Cider LocalVerse Reading Series
Every first Friday of every month from 6-9 p.m., Two Rivers Cider hosts the LocalVerse. Each poet’s reading follows a music performance. LocalVerse is part of LocalSounds, the weekly acoustic music showcase that takes place at Two Rivers every Friday.
The line-up for Friday, April 3, includes Vincent Sterne, Jennifer O’Neill Pickering, Jeff Knorr, Patrick Grizzell, and KC Shane. Hosted by Charlotte Ely. Free. Two Rivers has a cider bar and snacks.
Two Rivers is located at 4311 Attawa Ave #300, Sacramento, CA 95822, near City College.
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Friday, April 3, 7-9 p.m.
Classy Hippie Presents Straight Out Scribes!
Classy Hippie host Vincent Kobelt welcomes the beautiful mother and daughter duo that makes up Straight Our Scribes: Staajabu and V.S. Chochezi for a recital. The celebrated pair always offers an unforgettable experience. They will have books for sales at the event.
Admission is $10. Classy Hippie is located at 3200 Broadway, in Oak Park, Sacramento.
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Tuesday, April 7, 6 p.m. (And Tuesday, April 21)
Twin Lotus Thai Special Event: First Tuesday New Poets Showcase Open Mic
Bob Stanley’s Twin Lotus poetry series welcomes featured readers at 6 p.m. with an open mic following. Note that it is now held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
On Tuesday, April 7, the First Tuesday New Poets Showcase, a special open mic for first-timers, features poets Maris Juwono and Patrick Grizzell.
On April 21, the features will be Susan Kelly-DeWitt and Stan Zumbiel.
Twin Lotus Thai serves wonderful Thai food (full menu) and is open during the reading. The restaurant is located at 8345 Folsom Blvd # 119 in Sacramento. Reservations and pre-ordering are strongly requested for events — please go to twinlotusthai.com to reserve your table and place your order. Please arrive at 5 or 5:30 if you can!
Friday, April 10, 1 p.m. @ CSUS
The Poetry of Witness with Mary Mackey, Brad Buchanan and Jan Haag
On Friday, April 10, at 1:00, poets Brad Buchanan, Jan Haag, and Mary Mackey are going to have a conversation with one another and with you, the audience, about the Poetry of Witness. They’ll explore the role of the poet as someone attentive to the present moment, politically, socially, and environmentally. What can poetry hold that other forms cannot? How does it carry complexity, contradiction, and emotion without the need to resolve them? I intend ask the question: how can poetry preserve our right to free speech and how can it be used to cross political boundaries, move people, and persuade them in ways that prose — particularly scientific prose — often can't?
Poetry of Witness will be held at California State University, Sacramento, 6000 J St., Riverside Hall 1015.
Friday, April 10, & Saturday, April 11
Tahoe Literary Festival & Truckee Literary Crawl
The Truckee Literary Crawl returns on April 10 and 11 in downtown Truckee. Tahoe Literary Festival is now a nonprofit!
The Literary Crawl will again be a FREE community literary event featuring authors, writers and poets reading their works in downtown Truckee on April 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.
The event will also feature an evening Open Mic Night at Alibi Truckee for all literary forms: poetry, prose, songwriting, etc., hosted by Nevada County Poet Laureate Karen Terrey.
On April 10, enjoy a free talk and book signing with author Priya Hutner for her new memoir Chasing Nirvana.
More details: https://www.tahoelitfest.com/truckee-literary-crawl
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Saturday, April 11, 2 p.m.
QSAC Reading @ The Avid Reader
The Queer Sacramento Authors Collective (QSAC) presents an event at the Avid Reader Bookstore at 1945 Broadway, Sacramento Avid Reader on Broadway, Sacramento on April 11 at 2 p.m. featuring Oswaldo Vargas, Johnathan Doram, Phoenix Piazzissi, Shämir Káli Griffin, Lilliana Mendez-Soto, and Tracy Johnson. Free.
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Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m.
Mahogany Urban Poetry Series Presents the Scribes!
Mahogany Urban Poetry Series features Straight Out Scribes at their monthly Second Saturday event. Get ready for an epic night of raw, real, and unapologetic urban poetry as the talented Straight Out Scribes take the stage to deliver powerful words that move and inspire. Whether you're a poetry lover or just looking for a dope vibe, this event's got you covered. Come through, soak in the energy, and witness some serious lyrical fire! The event is held at All City Homes, 3401 2nd Avenue, Oak Park, Sacramento.
Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m.
Home: Featuring The Philharmonik
This will be a special night of music, poetry, and community in support of Sol Collective and Sacramento Poetry Week. NPR Tiny Desk winner and Sacramento recording artist The Philharmonik headlines a lineup of Sol Collective alumni and special guests. Hosted by Russell Cummings with DJ Amp One setting the tone.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Sol Collective, a community-based partnership whose mission is to provide artistic, cultural, and educational programming, promote social justice, and empower youth of color, and marginalized communities, and Sacramento Poetry Week (October 18–24) a series of events which brings poetry into classrooms, stages, and neighborhoods across the city.
Admission is $20. Sol Collective is located at 2574 21st Street, Sacramento.
Saturday, April 11, 2-5 p.m.
Poetic Butterfly Book Signing at Sojourner Truth Museum
Sojo presents an event in celebration of the release of Closed Chapters, a book and Spoken Word album by Poetic Butterfly, who will be joined by Prolific and Briana. The event also features a fashion show by F.L.O.E. The event will be hosted by Anna Marie.
Sojourner Truth is located at 2251 Florin Road, Suite 126, Sacramento.
Saturday, April 11, 6-8 p.m.
Voices of Gaza’s Children Second Saturday Pop Up Exhibit
The First United Methodist Church, located at 2100 J St., Sacramento, hosts this one night Second Saturday exhibit of evening of images and video showing the plight of Palestinians, and Palestinian children in particular. Free.
Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m.
Soul Vibes Poetry, Music and Comedy Show
T’MO (Terry Freeman Moore) presents Soul Vibes, a multi-art event on Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m. at The Lock & Key Tapas & Bar, located at 2718 J Street, Sacramento.
The event will feature Comedians Ricco Da Great and Dejan Tyler, Singers Christa Grant and Jessica Garrett, and poets Miss T and Lady Love. Lock and Key is a collaboration between the relaxed vibe of the West Coast with a Spanish Tapas approach to ingredients, shining the spotlight on seafood, produce grown locally, vibrant cocktails, and exceptional wines. Guests can expect an elegant but laid-back atmosphere with subtle influences from the Spanish coast, attractive al fresco dining, and an open, airy bungalow-style interior.
Admission $10. Info: 916 208-POET.
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Wednesday, April 15, 7 p.m.
Introducing Walking Wheel: A Book Release and Reading with Molly Fisk in Nevada City
Nevada County Library and the Sierra Poetry Festival present an event in celebration of Molly Fisk’s new book, Walking Wheel. The Library is located at 980 Helling Way, Nevada City
In this rich new collection, Molly Fisk braids together the ordinary tasks of love and work in 1875, a century we've almost forgotten but whose human concerns are universal and timeless.
Fisk describes the journey of newlyweds Phoebe and Miles Imlay from their birthplace in central Oregon to California's Surprise Valley. These are quiet, lyrical poems building a private world of intimacy and effort in alternating voices. From sawing timber, turning the heel of a sock, and measuring a pie's baking with verses of a song, through sex, pregnancy, and childbirth, the couple's first year of marriage working side by side is offered to us in resonant, unexpected detail.
Molly's book launch at the library will feature a reading from her new book, Q&A, a book signing, and light refreshments.
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Thursday, April 16
Special Reading for Third Thursday, Cameron Park Library Workshop
Lara Gularte and Beverly Paranyno facilitate free all-levels, multi-genre writing workshops in an encouraging space for poets and writers, held at the Cameron Park Library on First Tuesdays and Third Thursdays.
On the third Thursday in April, they will host a special event featuring poets Irene Lipshin and Virginia Hakala.
For more information, contact laralg@aol.com.
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Saturday, April 18, all day
Sierra Poetry Festival at The Center for the Arts, Grass Valley, CA
Sierra Poetry Festival is a project of Nevada County Arts Council. This year’s main stage event will take place on April 18, at The Center for the Arts, in Grass Valley, CA, attended by some of our most exciting local, national, and international poets and performers.
Keynote speakers Robert Hass and Brenda Hillman are joined by Major Jackson, Francesca Bell, Tongo Eisen-Martin, Jimmy Vega, Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, José Hernandez Diaz, Oswaldo Vargas, and many others.
They began National Poetry Month festivities on March 21, World Poetry Day, and are continuing through the month of April with the SPF Fringe, a month-long fringe poetry festival happening in locations across Nevada County.
Like communities across the world, SPF believes that poetry has the power to inspire, heal, and build bridges, and that it is a healthy way to share experiences, teach patience and joy, and bring communities together.
Details: https://www.sierrapoetryfestival.org/
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Sunday, April 19, beginning at 10 a.m.
The Sacramento Book Festival: Building Community Book by Book
Don’t miss the 2026 Sacramento Book Festival, Sunday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 6151 H Street, in East Sacramento.
The Sacramento Book Festival will present a wonderful sampling of the most exciting authors in the Sacramento area. The Festival will host more than 200 authors, many of whom you may have heard. They include:General Keynote Speaker, Kim Stanley Robinson, a multi-award winning science fiction writer and the author of more than twenty books, including the best-selling Mars Trilogy, and 2312, which was a New York Times bestseller nominated for all seven of the major science fiction awards — a first for any book.
Also featured will be award-winning Young Adult Keynote Speaker Wendelin Van Draanen who has written more than thirty novels for young readers and teens, including the 18-book Edgar-winning Sammy Keyes mystery series.
In addition, the festival will feature authors writing in the following genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Women’s Fiction, Cookbooks, Historical, Children’s and Young Adult and Middle Grade. If you're interested in getting books signed by your favorite authors, you can bring a maximum of three books per author for signatures.
Full schedule:
https://www.sacramentobookfestival.com/the-2026-panel-schedule-is-here/
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Sunday, April 19, 2 p.m.
Poetry of the Sierra Foothills Series at Chateau Davell: Molly Fisk & Gene Berson
Poetry of the Sierra Foothills at the Chateau Davell Boutique Winery series occurs on the third Sunday of the month at 2 p.m.
The features for April 19 will be Molly Fisk and Gene Berson.
The Chateau Davell Boutique Winery is located at 3020 Vista Tierra Drive, Camino, CA. Details: larag@aol.com.
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Thursday, April 23, 7-9 p.m.
Poetry Open Mic Reading at Roseville Venture Lab
Creative Economy Entrepreneurship Initiative presents an open mic featuring Andru Defeye and Russell Cummings at the Roseville Venture Lab, 316 Vernon Street, Roseville, CA. Al ages, free admission.
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Thursday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Chocolate and Pearls Spoken Word and Talent at He Brews
HeBrews Coffee holds an open mic on Third Thursdays, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. The event is organized and hosted by Roslind Miles. First timers are encouraged to come out! Coffee and snacks will be available for purchase, plus wine tasting.
This is their debut event under the name Chocolate and Pearls Spoken Word and Talent. The event is held at He Brews Coffee & Tea Company, 1540 Jefferson Boulevard, West Sacramento.
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Saturday, April 25 through Monday, April 27, all day.
Read The Region: Regional Independent Booksellers Book Crawl
Indie Bookstore Day is an annual tradition on the last Saturday of April, but Sacramento bookstores love it so much they've made it a whole weekend and then some.
Please visit participating booksellers and show them how important they are to the community. Buy Poetry! If you visit all the stores, you can collect stamps that will enter you for cool prizes!
Participating stores include: Amatoria Fine Art Books, Capitol Books, Crawford’s Books, Underground Books, Wild Sisters, East Village Bookshop, Ruby’s Books, A Seat At The Table, Pleasant Pheasant Books, Old Haunts Bookshop, and Bloodstone Books.
More info can be found at: https://readtheregion.com/
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Tuesday, April 28, 4:30 PST Online
The Academy of America Poets presents: Poetry & The Creative Mind
The Academy of America Poets presents: Poetry & The Creative Mind, its signature reading, fundraiser, and closing celebration of National Poetry Month. The annual event features legendary actors, artists, dancers, musicians, chefs, and other notable public figures sharing poems with viewers from small towns and big cities throughout the United States and countries around the world.
This online event is free and open to all, but registration required for virtual program access. You may choose donate to support K-12 education and the Academy during the broadcast.
Featured readers include Louise Erdrich, Coco Fusco, Nick Offerman, John Rothman, Maria Shriver, Evan Wang and Chloé Zhao.
The 2026 Leadership Award Honorees:
U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze & The Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Foundation.
Donations support K-12 poetry education: Contributors to the event provide much-needed funds to help underwrite our educational programs and enable us to invite viewers from around the world to join us for an uplifting reading of poems during this unifying global event.
Details and registration: https://poets.org/pcm2026.
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