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Welcome to the schedule of poetry events happening in Massachusetts! This schedule contains events happening all over the state, as entered by our Poetry Partners and others. It is not limited to Mass Poetry events. To submit an event, click here. For more questions regarding our calendar, you can email marketing@masspoetry.org
Type: Mass Poetry Event clear filter
Tuesday, November 12
 

5:30pm EST

Inaugural LOOM Poetry Reading Series: Joan Houlihan and Peter Covino
Tuesday November 12, 2019 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST
Tuesday November 12, 2019 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST
St. Denis Catholic Church Harrisville, New Hampshire
 
Thursday, September 28
 

7:00pm EDT

U35 Reading
Thursday September 28, 2023 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT

Our U35 reading series returns to Trident Booksellers & Cafe on September 28th at 7PM. The series seeks to promote and bolster young Massachusetts poets while giving them a venue to share their work and connect with other poets. This event is free and open to all.

This U35's featured poets are:
  • Jordan Barnes
  • Shari Caplan
  • Nathan Erwin
  • Dariana Guerrero
Stay tuned for full poet profiles in future newsletters!

Learn more and reserve your tickets here.

Thursday September 28, 2023 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
 
Monday, November 20
 

7:30pm EST

Evening of Inspired Leaders
Monday November 20, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm EST
We are proud to announce Mass Poetry’s ninth annual Evening of Inspired Leaders, an event that brings together exceptional leaders from diverse fields to each read their favorite poem and reflect on its connection to their life and work. Join us for this memorable event on  Monday, November 20th, 2023 from 7:30 – 8:30 PM EST at The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.

Inspired by Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, this year’s event features: emcee Jeneé Osterheldt, The Boston Globe; April English, Chief Secretary to Governor Maura Healey; Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of King Boston; Jill Medvedow, Ellen Matilda Poss Director, Institute of Contemporary Art; and Tamar Dor-Ner, Partner, Boston Office Head, Bain & Company.

Evening of Inspired Leaders raises funds to support Mass Poetry’s dynamic roster of free and low-cost poetry programs for thousands of people, young and old, across Massachusetts. Don’t miss this poignant night celebrating poetry and leadership. Tickets are available now!
Monday November 20, 2023 7:30pm - 8:30pm EST
The Huntington Theater
 
Sunday, January 21
 

7:00pm EST

January U35 Reading | Mass Poetry
Sunday January 21, 2024 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
U35 is a bi-monthly reading series for poets under 35, held once each January, March, May, July, September, and November. The series seeks to promote and bolster young Massachusetts poets while giving them a venue to share their work and connect with other poets. If you are a poet under the age of 35, sign up to read via Mass Poetry's website! This event is free and open to the public. 

http://www.masspoetry.org/u35

Our January readers are:

Raina K. Puels is a queer, polyamorous human living in Allston. She graduated from Emerson with her MFA in May of 2019. Her collection of essays, Resaturation was long-listed for PANK's book prize. By day, she works as an admin at MIT and by night, she hangs out with her little black cat, Layla Stoner Sparkle Demon. You can read her writing in The Rumpus, GAY Mag, American Literary Review, Yes Poetry, and many other places listed on her website: rainakpuels.com. 

Ananya Panchal is a 20-year-old Boston University student studying Journalism and Criminal Justice. For as long as she can remember, Ananya has loved writing. Journalism is her way of analyzing and entering the dialogue of the world around her, but poetry has always been her way of analyzing herself and her many emotions. Ananya has self-published a book of poetry, performed at open mics and given a Ted Talk in her hometown of Los Altos, California. This is her first Boston performance.

Casey Lynn Roland is a second year graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, pursuing an MFA in Poetry. She lives, works, writes, and makes art on the North Shore of Massachusetts, but spends much of her time on Lake Winnipesaukee; her poetry attempts to reconcile her relationships to those places, the people in them, and how they are always changing. Casey’s current obsessions are folklore, trees, and the idea that all time is simultaneous. She also creates blackout poetry, and you can see some of her work on Instagram at @mscaseycreates and at www.caseylynnroland.com.
Readers/Speakers
avatar for Ananya Panchal

Ananya Panchal

Ananya Panchal is a 20-year-old Boston University student studying Journalism and Criminal Justice. For as long as she can remember, Ananya has loved writing. Journalism is her way of analyzing and entering the dialogue of the world around her, but poetry has always been her way of... Read More →
avatar for Raina K. Puels

Raina K. Puels

Raina K. Puels is a queer, polyamorous human living in Allston. She graduated from Emerson with her MFA in May of 2019. Her collection of essays, Resaturation was long-listed for PANK's book prize. By day, she works as an admin at MIT and by night, she hangs out with her little black... Read More →
avatar for Casey Lynn Roland

Casey Lynn Roland

Casey Lynn Roland is a second year graduate student at the University of New Hampshire, pursuing an MFA in Poetry. She lives, works, writes, and makes art on the North Shore of Massachusetts, but spends much of her time on Lake Winnipesaukee; her poetry attempts to reconcile her relationships... Read More →

Sunday January 21, 2024 7:00pm - 8:30pm EST
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
 
Tuesday, February 27
 

6:00pm EST

African American History Month: Enzo Surin Poetry Reading & Workshop
Tuesday February 27, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Join Mass Poetry in welcoming Enzo Surin for a poetry reading and workshop.
Mr. Surin, a Haitian-born poet, educator, speaker, publisher and social
advocate, is the author of two chapbooks, A Letter of Resignation: An American
Libretto (2017) and Higher Ground. He is the recipient of a Brother Thomas
Fellowship from The Boston Foundation and is a PEN New England
Celebrated New Voice in Poetry. Surin’s work gives voice to experiences that
take place in what he calls “broken spaces”. Visit enzosurinink.org to learn
more.

To register, visit http://tiny.cc/5271iz or call the branch at 617-298-9218

Tuesday February 27, 2024 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST
Boston Public Library - Mattapan Branch
 
Monday, March 18
 

7:00pm EDT

March U35 Reading Series
Monday March 18, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
U35 is a bi-monthly reading series for poets under 35, held once each January, March, May, July, September, and November. The series seeks to promote and bolster young Massachusetts poets while giving them a venue to share their work and connect with other poets. If you are a poet under the age of 35, sign up to read via Mass Poetry's website! This event is free and open to the public. 

http://www.masspoetry.org/u35

Our March readers are:

Emily Duggan is interested in work — and play! — at the intersection of the performing/expressive arts and individual and community healing. To that end, they create and perform poetry, experimental theater, and improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy. In the recent past, they have: acted and written with various performance troupes in Roslindale; appeared as a featured poet for the Boston Poetry Slam; enjoyed a stint as an ensemble member at Chicago's Green Mill; and haunted graveyards as a ghost-tour guide. Lately, they partner with Writers Without Margins, bringing writing beyond conventional spaces, and they served as Mass Poetry's Development Intern last spring.

Egan Millard has worked as a journalist in Alaska, Maine and New York City, where he grew up. His poetry has appeared in The Worcester Review, Cirque, The Aurorean (featured poet, Spring/Summer 2019), and “Building Fires in the Snow” (University of Alaska Press, 2016), the first-ever anthology of LGBTQ Alaskan writers, and is forthcoming in "From the Farther Shore: Discovering Cape Cod and the Islands Through Poetry" (Bass River Press, 2020). His chapbook "Interstate" is available from Harvard Book Store. He now lives in Boston, where he works as a reporter and editor.

Sarah O'Brien loves dark chocolate and light wordplay. Sarah is the author of the poetry book Shapeshifter and she is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Boston Accent Lit, a literary journal and press. She earned her MFA in Poetry at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Sarah has been published in places such as Allegro Poetry Magazine, Elbow Room, Helen Literary Magazine, Homology Lit, and The Flat Water Stirs: An Anthology of Emerging Nebraska Poets. She was runner-up for the 2018 Helen W. Kenefick Academy of American Poets prize with her poem "School of Love." Sarah is active in the writing community; she often reads work at The Bebop or Cantab Lounge and she volunteers at Grub Street's Muse & the Marketplace and Mass Poetry's annual Poetry Festival. Learn more at www.sarahobrien.org

Georgia Park is a contributing editor of Sudden Denouement, founder of Whisper and the Roar, and author of Quit Your Job and Become a Poet (Out of Spite). She dropped out of high school in 2004 and earned her Master’s degree with an emphasis on creative writing in 2019. She is currently teaching English and ESL at the college level. She has been published in several literary magazines, most recently, The Offbeat and Soundings East. Her work has also been featured in several books, including We Will Not Be Silenced, All the Lonely People, Smitten, and Anthology Volume l: Writings from the Sudden Denouement Literary Collective. Georgia has been asked to speak about her poetry at several educational institutions, including Boston University. Georgia's current book, titled Softly Glowing Exit Signs, is an autobiography written in poetry that covers her time in Korea and her journey from dysfunctional childhood to semi-functional adulthood.
Monday March 18, 2024 7:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
 
Wednesday, March 20
 

5:30pm EDT

CANCELLED - Poetry Night
Wednesday March 20, 2024 5:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
A Timilty Middle School event, in partnership with Roxbury Heritage State Park and MassPoetry. 

Please join us for a night of Community and Poetry at the Dillaway-Thomas House.

Dinner 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Poetry Reading  6:30 pm - 8:30pm

Featured poets include: Charles Coe, Ashley-Rose, Imani Powell, and Boston Youth Poet Laureate Finalist Norah Brady. Musical entertainment by Savoir Faire.

Free food & childcare provided. All students must attend with a parent or guardian. Tickets available at Eventbrite starting March 2.
Readers/Speakers
Wednesday March 20, 2024 5:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Roxbury Heritage State Park
 
Wednesday, March 27
 

7:00pm EDT

Evening of Inspired Leaders 2020
Wednesday March 27, 2024 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Evening of Inspired Leaders–a fundraiser to benefit Mass Poetry–highlights the power of poetry to inspire and delight while showcasing an all-star field of leaders. Inspired by Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project, this event brings exemplary leaders in diverse fields together to read a poem that is meaningful to them and discuss its influence on their life and work.

You can support Mass Poetry by purchasing a VIP package (by March 1st) to join us at the dessert reception in Huntington Theatre's Studio 210 following the event! Become a sponsor here: 
http://www.masspoetry.org/inspiredleaderssponsor

Ticketing will open shortly! Check back for the link and more info. 

Speakers for Evening of Inspired Leaders 2020 include: 
- Mohamad Ali, CEO of International Data Group Inc.
- Andrew Bacevich, Writer & President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft
- Meghna Chakrabarti, Host of WBUR's OnPoint
- Vikiana Petit-Homme, Regional Organizer, March for Our Lives
- Darrell Jones, Strongest Link Community Activist 
- Dr. Anne Klibanski, President and CEO of Mass General Brigham
- Julia Mejia, Boston City Councilor 
- Rachael Rollins, Suffolk County District Attorney 
- Yusufi Vali, Director, Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement
- Bina Venkataraman, Boston Globe Editorial Page Editor 
- David Waters, CEO of Community Servings
Wednesday March 27, 2024 7:00pm - 8:30pm EDT
Huntington Theatre Company
 
Monday, May 20
 

6:00pm EDT

U35
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Trident Booksellers & Cafe
 
Sunday, September 22
 

5:30pm EDT

Mei-mei Berssenbrugge Poetry Reading
Sunday September 22, 2024 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Sunday September 22, 2024 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
McCormack Family Theater
 
Thursday, March 6
 

6:30pm EST

Mass Poetry Festival Headliner Book Club: Ross Gay
Thursday March 6, 2025 6:30pm - 7:45pm EST

Please join us for our first in a series of free online book club meetings for books by headliners of the 2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival! Our first riveting read: Ross Gay’s Catalogue of Unabashed Gratitude. Aren’t you grateful for this event?

Meet Ross Gay, one of our wonderful headliners for the 2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival! Ross is the award-winning author of four books of poetry – Against Which, Bringing the Shovel Down, Be Holding, and Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude – as well as three esteemed collections of essays – The Book of Delights, Inciting Joy, and his newest collection, The Book of (More) Delights.

Check out Ross’ bio below:
Ross Gay is interested in joy.
Ross Gay wants to understand joy.
Ross Gay is curious about joy.
Ross Gay studies joy.
Something like that.
Readers/Speakers
Thursday March 6, 2025 6:30pm - 7:45pm EST
Online
 
Thursday, March 13
 

6:30pm EDT

Mass Poetry Festival Headliner Book Club: Marilyn Chin
Thursday March 13, 2025 6:30pm - 7:45pm EDT

Please join us at our online bookclub, part of our Bridging the Gap series leading up the 2025 Massachusetts Poetry Festival. Each session we will discuss the most recent book of poetry by one of our headliners. We will discuss the poetry, the poet, and spend some time doing a writing prompt inspired by the poet's work. Though you may prefer to buy and read the book first (we hope you do!) anyone who would like to discuss or learn more about the poet's work is welcome.

This event will focus on Sage, by Marilyn Chin.

We will meet on zoom. A copy of the zoom link will be sent to all registered attendees the afternoon of the event by email. We will have zoom auto-captions turned on during our meeting.
Readers/Speakers
Thursday March 13, 2025 6:30pm - 7:45pm EDT
Online
 
Saturday, March 15
 

TBA

Write Here | Write Now | Speak Loud! Teen Spoken Word Festival
Saturday March 15, 2025 TBA
Join us for our second annual Write Here | Write Now | Speak Loud! – Mass Poetry’s Teen Spoken Word Festival. This two-day, statewide event will take place on March 15th – 16th, 2025, at Emerson College in downtown Boston. The Festival has three tracks of events and activities for teens to participate: our non competitive events, Team Slam, and Individual Slam!

The Teen Spoken Word Festival is all about creating space for teens to let their voices be heard—whether you’re competing or soaking in the excitement! In addition to our Team and Individual Slams, this year’s festival offers a dynamic lineup of non-competitive events crafted to inspire, empower, and connect young voices from all backgrounds.

The Festival will feature workshops covering a wide range of topics, headliners to light up our stage, a last chance slam, open mics, and more. Our Artists’ Resource Fair is also returning, offering attendees the chance to engage with community organizers and a diverse range of artists who launched their creative journeys through poetry. There’s something at the festival for everyone to enjoy and explore! Register now! Check out our schedule for a full list of events!

All Festival attendees must first check in at the Bordy Theater in the Union Bank Building before attending any Festival events. Entry to all buildings and events requires a badge and you will not be allowed entrance without it. Tickets to the Team Slam Finals and/or Individual Slam Finals will be included with your badge.

The only exception to this requirement is if you are solely attending the Team Slam Finals or Individual Slam Finals; you may proceed directly to the Semel Theater in the Tufte Building.
Saturday March 15, 2025 TBA
Emerson College 120 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116, USA
 
Saturday, May 31
 

TBA

Massachusetts Poetry Festival
Saturday May 31, 2025 TBA
The Massachusetts Poetry Festival will be back in Salem, MA on May 31st and June 1st, 2025! The Festival features over 100 poets and performers from across Massachusetts and beyond. There are headline readings, workshops, panels, a small press fair, multimedia events, open mics, and more.
Saturday May 31, 2025 TBA
Historic Downtown Salem
 


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