Not just for poets: O, Miami Poetry Festival aims to reach diverse audience
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A reading at the Venetian Pool. Photo: Chantal Lawrie
O, Miami is on a mission to prove that poetry isn't a dusty or complicated thing.
Why it matters: The local nonprofit's annual poetry festival begins Tuesday, with poetry-inspired events across the city.
- For one month, the group is hosting almost daily events ranging from performances and workshops to dinners.
Who's who: This year's event — the 14th annual — is the first time the organization's founder P. Scott Cunningham is no longer at the helm.
- Melody Santiago Cummings and Caroline Cabrera, two longtime employees, were tapped in August to take over the organization.
What they're saying: The programming, Cabrera says, aims to highlight the work O, Miami does throughout the year and connect with diverse audiences.
Case in point: This year's lineup includes events like "Maternar-te," a workshop dedicated to "those who mother," whether that's raising children or caring for other loved ones. "Graveyard Poetry: A Workshop" is for those who want to explore themes of mortality and nature, among others.
- This year's event also features two ticketed dinners: one at Boia De, the other at Recoveco.
- The latter highlights "Soy de todas partes," a civic project about the immigrant experience, featuring a poetry vinyl installation.
"Pairing food or drink with poetry is a great formula [and] a really great entry point for someone who isn't sure they're into poetry," says Cabrera.
- "Poetry really is this communal medium, and food is that, too."
The bottom line: No matter your interests, there's likely an event for you.
- "Anyone that has an opinion about this place, has an emotion and writes it down, is a poet," Cabrera says. "That's the beauty of this festival."
Here are a few events we're keeping on our radar:
April 4: A poetry reading event with Rio Cortez, Z. Yasmin Waheed and Romeo Oriogun at The Cleat Mia. (Free)
April 6: "Poetry for Preservation" is a writing workshop at Oleta River State Park. Eventgoers' nature poems will be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis' office to advocate for park preservation. ($15)
April 17: "Dancing Through Words of Youth" is a performance by Miami Beach Senior High that explores identity and place. (Free)
April 23: ZipOdes Finale at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens offers readings from all the ZipOde finalists and the end of the "Ode to Your Zip Code" campaign.
April 25: "O,ysters!: Taste & Ode" at Gramps Getaway invites guests to learn about local history, ecology and conservation efforts while learning "proper oyster-eating" techniques. (Ticketed)
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that it's O, Miami's 14th annual festival (not 12th) and the Venetian Pool is pictured in the photo (not Vizcaya).