March Workshop in Partnership With Fire *The event is meant for individuals 18-25 years of age.  Register for free Facilitator: Tasleem Jamila Workshop Name: Gratitude Through the Divine Lens: Exploring Sacred Poetry Workshop Description: In this workshop, participants will explore gratitude as a spiritual practice by drawing inspiration from writers who view the world through […]

Workshop details and facilitator are forthcoming. March Workshop Facilitator: Markeva Love Workshop Name: Worth The Detour Workshop Description: “Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s easy to get caught up in the things we think we want/ desire or deserve. “ Attendees will discuss/ write about a time or an event where they did not get what […]

KPF and RAWK join forces to offer a youth poetry workshop based on the theme of "Gratitude". Details about facilitator coming soon!This workshop will be facilitated by WMU Graduate Student Hannah Arvanigian, with help from KPF Executive Director Casey Grooten. Hannah Seelman is a student at Western Michigan University, where she is both earning anMFA […]

The Celebration of Community Poets The Celebration of Community Poets is a yearly event hosted by the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival as a part of our National Poetry Month Festival Week. The Celebration combines multiple organization partnerships, and ten plus local poets and musicians who share one original piece each. The Celebration is also where the […]

Your Turn Open Mic Join Fire and Kalamazoo Poetry Festival for The Magic Open Mic, hosted by Great Dane. Come early if you think you want to read! Accessibility: - This even strives to be SCENT-FREE. Please consider leaving perfumes and fragrances at home. - Wheelchair access through the entrance on Portage Street.

REGISTER HERE How We Attune to Gratitude In this workshop we will explore how poets cultivate an intimate sense of attention: attuning to the complexity of the world around us and the worlds within us. We’ll dwell together with poems and writing prompts that cultivate our sense of careful attention and we'll contemplate together what […]

REGISTER HERE Sounding the Heart of the poem Sounding the Heart of the poem is a workshop by The Institute of Public Scholarship poet, playwright, and fiction writer, Denise Miller, that is focused on sound devices like assonance, alliteration, and consonance, combined with the concept of echolocation, to explore how poets can use sound to […]

Craft Talk Featured Poets Denise Miller and Aaron Coleman participate in a Craft Talk moderated by KPF board member Nancy Nott. The poets will discuss their writing process and thoughts on poetry and writing in general. There is no way to describe where the conversation will lead, so come check it out! Accessibility: - This […]

Featured Poets Aaron Coleman and Denise Miller will each read their work for 25 minutes. The Finale Read will be followed by a reception catered by Kalamazoo local JaRay Reese. Come down, hear some beautiful poetry, and partake in some merry-making and networking after the event.  Accessibility: - This even strives to be SCENT-FREE. Please […]

*During the pre-show of this event, you can listen to four local performers share their poetry and music as they represent The Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. There will also be a collaborative poem being written during the run time of this event that will be published on our website after the event! Come and add your […]

THIS EVENT IS FREE! What is Air Poetry? A poetry and music performance event, complete with open mic, DJ, and refreshments. The event takes place outdoors at Kazoo Books located at 2413 Parkview Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 on August 23, 2025 from 4-6pm. Featured performers are local musician Jessica Ivey, local poet Markeva Love, and […]

Looking for a space to share your music, poetry, or spoken word? Or just want to enjoy a night of local talent, creativity, and community? Summer Jams is a three-part summer series at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA), designed to bring people together through live performances and artistic expression. Each night will feature a […]