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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260305T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260119T040232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T150940Z
UID:3133-1772733600-1772739000@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Roots & Wings: Stories of Survival and Soaring
DESCRIPTION:SIGN UP USING THE EVENTBRITE LINK BELOW:\nhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/roots-wings-stories-of-survival-and-soaring-tickets-1980840583508?aff=oddtdtcreator\n\nPaint + write poems on “Beyond Resilience\,” creating a split-canvas of roots (strength) and wings (future growth).\n\n\n\nThis 2-part workshop series meets twice- March 5 &19\, 2026\, hosted in the new Kalamazoo Poetry Festival space at the Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition in downtown Kalamazoo. Sessions run 6pm–7:30pm. \n*PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP IF YOU CANNOT MAKE BOTH SESSIONS. \nMarch 5\, 2026 at 6pm\, doors at 5:30pm \nMarch 19\, 2026 at 6pm\, doors at 5:30pm \nThis workshop blends painting and poetry to explore the theme of ‘Beyond Resilience.’ Participants will reflect on their personal journeys\, creating poems that capture their ‘roots’ (sources of grounding and strength) and their ‘wings’ (aspirations and thriving futures). Through guided writing prompts and painting\, each person will design a split-canvas artwork that visually represents both resilience and growth beyond it. The session closes with an optional share-circle where participants can read excerpts of their poems or describe their artwork\, fostering community connection and collective inspiration. By the end\, participants will leave with both a written and visual representation of their journey from survival toward soaring. \nBio: \nErica Smith is a creative wellness practitioner and founder of Fortunate Fourth Creations & Media\, where art meets healing. She empowers communities through therapeutic art\, storytelling\, and transformative art experiences. \nHeadshot Photo Credit: \nHananiah Harden\, Black Magic Media \nSocial Media (with space for clickable links): \n\nFacebook: Fortunate Fourth Creations — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560172731523\nInstagram: @fortunatefourthcreations — https://www.instagram.com/fortunatefourthcreations/\nTikTok: @fortunatefourthcreations — https://www.tiktok.com/@fortunatefourthcreations\nLinkedIn: Erica Smith — https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-smith-67038a362/
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/roots-wings-stories-of-survival-and-soaring/
LOCATION:KNAC\, 315 W Michigan Ave\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007-5007\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EricaSmith3.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260312T220000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260210T132717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T132717Z
UID:3173-1773342000-1773352800@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Son of The White Mare Film Screening
DESCRIPTION:Thanks to Kalamazoo Poetry Festival for sponsoring this film!\nArrive when doors open for a pre-show that mixes poetry and film\, just like Son of the White Mare! Thanks to our collaboration with Kalamazoo Poetry Festival\, we’ll have a celebration of both art forms\, including live performances and collaborative writing of poems by attendees.\nPurchase tickets using the link.\n\nReaders:\nMia Hawkins\nBio: Hello\, I am Mimi Hawkins\, a poet and writer\, who weaves the dramatic lens of life I live into everything I write. My style is a stream of consciousness style\, jumping through vivid daydreams as a way of understanding\, which is paired with bluntness that rips through the figurative language\, grounding everything.\n\nElizabeth Bullmer\nBio: Elizabeth Bullmer is a poet/writer/spoken word and visual artist working as a self-employed\, licensed massage and sound therapist\, in Kalamazoo. She also facilitates writing workshops and small sharing circles for all ages. Bullmer’s most recent publication is a poetry chapbook\, Skipping Stones on the River Styx.\n\n\nOne of the great psychedelic masterpieces of world animation\, Son of the White Mare is a swirling\, color-mad maelstrom of mythic monsters and Scythian heroes\, lit by jagged bolts of lightning and drenched in rivers of blue\, red\, gold and green. A massive cosmic oak stands at the gates of the Underworld\, holding seventy-seven dragons in its roots; to combat these monsters\, a dazzling white mare goddess gives birth to three heroes – Treeshaker and his brothers – who embark on an epic journey to save the universe. Directed by Hungarian animator Marcell Jankovics (famed for his 1974 Oscar-nominated short Sisyphus)\, Son of the White Mare has been restored in 4K using the original 35mm camera negative and sound elements by Arbelos in collaboration with the Hungarian National Film Institute. \n“Once upon a time\, at the doors of Hell\, there stood a tall turkey oak. It had 77 roots and 77 branches. On the 77 roots stood 77 dragons. On the 77 branches sat 77 crows. Let the one who doesn’t listen to this tale have their soul stolen by the 77 dragons\, and their eyes pecked by the 77 crows!” \nSon of the White Mare \n1981\n1h 26min\nDirector: Marcell Jankovics\nWriter: Laszlo Gyorgy\, Marcell Jankovics\nCast: Gyorgy Cserhalmi\, Vera Pap\, Gyula Szabo
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/son-of-the-white-mare-film-screening/
LOCATION:Doormouse Theatre\, 1030 Portage Street\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49001\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Monoform20261-1.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260319T180000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260318T134206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T134206Z
UID:3209-1773939600-1773943200@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Gwen Frostic Reading Series- Poetry Reading by Iliana Rocha\, March 18-19
DESCRIPTION:CHECK OUT THE FLYER FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATOIN ON THE READER THIS MONTH! \nAbout the Series\nThe Gwen Frostic Reading Series brings acclaimed authors of poetry\, prose\, and drama from across the nation to Kalamazoo and the surrounding community. All readings are free and open to the public. The series is made possible by a generous gift from Gwen Frostic\, a distinguished artist\, author\, naturalist\, and entrepreneur who earned her bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1929.
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/gwen-frostic-reading-series-poetry-reading-by-iliana-rocha-march-18-19/
LOCATION:Brown Hall\, WMU\, 1903 W Michigan Ave\, Kalamazoo\, 49008\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ilianarochaflyer.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260324T193000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260316T022822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T022822Z
UID:3189-1774375200-1774380600@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Begin Again: Breath as Becoming with Dr. Tasleem
DESCRIPTION:Overview- RSVP REQUIRED\n\n\n\nBreath-guided poetry workshop exploring renewal\, release\, and the courage to transform and begin again through generative writing prompts. \n\n\n\n\nBegin Again: Breath as Becoming with Dr. Tasleem \nWhat does it mean to begin again and again and again? This poetry workshop explores the power of breath as a doorway into transformation and renewal. Together\, we’ll write into the truth that it is never too late to transition into a new version of yourself — to step up\, expand\, and grow beyond who you thought you had to be. Through guided breathwork and generative prompts\, participants will explore release\, rebirth\, and the courage to begin again. As long as there is breath in the body\, there is room to transform. \nBiography \nTasleem Jamila is an International Poet\, Vocalist\, Author\, Speaker\, Educator and Holistic Health Advocate. She is CEO of My Soul Speaks\, a company that creates interactive workshop/ presentation/performances across the world. Her work highlights the way hip hop\, culture and spoken word theater can contribute to freedom\, justice and equality for all people. \nAs an advocate for women and children’s rights with a universal approach her programs have been utilized in detention centers to universities across the globe. With performances that include The Kennedy Center\, Excel London\, Columbia University (NYC) and the African World Festival of the Arts\, just to name a few. She has performed her works across the US as well as the UK\, Africa\, and Canada and continues to tour worldwide. \nTasleem recently published a book of poetry\, Black Baptist Muslim Mystic which is receiving critical acclaim in addition to her album “Tasleem” and live and unplugged DVD “My Soul Speaks”. She is sought after for her captivating energy as a host\, professional skills as a cultural producer and educating activist as a workshop facilitator. Tasleem is pushing the boundaries with her new book of poetry\, Black Baptist Muslim Mystic: From the Cosmos which is also a multi-media show\, art exhibit with original musical composition (Reginald Robinson) to tour. She won a fellowship traveling to London\, England to perform and participate as a performance artist at events with Prince Charles\, Mayor Boris Johnson of London and many Prime Ministers. \nTasleem Jamila is also a featured artist for her poem \, “I AM” from her book Black Baptist Muslim Mystic: From the Cosmos with the International Women’s Museum breaking down stereotypes of women. She has shared the stage with such artists as The Last Poets\, Rakim\, Yuna\, KRS-1\, Vieux Farka Toure\,Brother Ali\, Tinariwen\, Tiraline\, Ali Shaheed Muhammad\, Lupe Fiasco\, Rock Steady Crew\, Kindred and the Family Soul\, Jurassic 5 among others. \nAs an activist poet Tasleem has written and performed special poetry for The Cancer Society of Chicago\, Domestic Violence Programs\, Peace in Streets Campaign and Youth Peace Summit. Along with her training in voice\, Tasleem studied in a special class entitled “Music and the Cosmos” with Master Kelan Phil Cohran (Sun-Ra) and Composition with Reginald R. Robinson\, Kerwin Young (Public Enemy\, Angie Stone\, Rakim) and Khari Lemuel. Tasleem Jamila’s talents doesn’t stop at poetry\, music\, production and design\, she also has her hand in acting. She has appeared in a documentary film about domestic violence which was showcased at The New York Cultural Museum. Tasleem has also appeared in the following movies: “Love Jones”\, “A Hip-Hop Journey with the Ancestors”\, (a film about Oscar Brown Jr\,)\, and a cameo in the film “New Muslim Cool”. \nAs a cultural producer\, Tasleem utilizes her skills working with the youth conducting workshops on self-esteem\, Hip-Hop and Poetry/Spoken Word and more. She is the creative mind behind many festivals\, events and productions. Tasleem has acted as Head Coordinator\, Stage Manager and Host for IMAN (Inner-city Muslim Action Network) Taking It to the Streets World Festival from 2005-2016. As a writer\, director and choreographer for productions\, her youth advocacy has allowed her to work with organizations such as Kuumba Lynx\, Little Black Pearl\, Family Matters\, After School Matters and Cease Fire as well. For ten years Tasleem hosted and produced a weekly radio show (Radio Islam) in Chicago giving her the opportunity to meet and interview 100’s of artists\, activists\, scholars and historians from across the world. Of the most notable icons she has interviewed: First Lady Michelle Obama\, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed\, Public Enemy\, Dead Prez\, KRS-1\, Black Sheep and more. She has been featured in the Chicago Tribune\, Muslim Journal\, Chicago Daily\, and on BBC\, WBEZ (NPR)\, WKKC (Chicago)\, ABC-Channel 7 (Chicago) and many internet and cable stations across the world. \nShe has also toured extensively and made numerous appearances on other artist’s albums and pages\, including Kuumba Lynx “El Barrio Clocks Our Beats and Rhymes” album\, Sound Mindz Music “The Attack of the Waybacks” album\, Vent Movements “Let the Movement Began” album and Floyd Boykin Jr\, “No More Silent Cries” anthology book. In 2009 she was asked to join a group of artist from around the world for a compilation CD dedicated to the legacy of Malcolm X “Necessary” to be released with three unpublished chapters of “The Autobiography of Malcolm X”. Currently Tasleem is an editor for the project “Crossing Limits” which brings Muslim American and Jewish American Poets together. A full documentary about her life as an artist by Lunar Butterfly Productions was just released. She is also currently on tour promoting her book\, BLACK BAPTIST MUSLIM MYSTIC: From the Cosmos. Tasleem also continues to study to complete her degree in Naturopathy. As she grows so does her art…
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/begin-again-breath-as-becoming-with-dr-tasleem/
LOCATION:KNAC\, 315 W Michigan Ave\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007-5007\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Copy-of-Untitled-Design.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260327T200000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260321T050042Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T050042Z
UID:3235-1774634400-1774641600@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Rambling Read Open Mic
DESCRIPTION:Rambling Read is truly rambling this month! We are headed to Heirloom Arts near the Maple Street YMCA for this months open mic. Join us to hear local poets Shanna Collins\, Devin Bullmer\, and Zoe Reyes. Also\, stay for the open mic and show us what you have been working on! \nDoors Open at 6pm\, reading begins at 6:30pm\, sign-up is in-person! \nBrought to you by Rambling Read and The Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. \nBios: \nShanna Collins is a visual artist\, cultural writer\, and former music organizer. She has written for VIBE magazine and appeared in the Chicago Reader. \nDevin Bullmer is a visual artist and writer currently working as a paraprofessional in special education. His work is often influenced by nature\, his queer identity\, and acceptance of the frustrating knowledge that nothing ever turns out exactly how you want it to. \nZoe Reyes is a poet whose work centers nature\, while also exploring politics\, healing\, and connection. She has been writing since she could first pick up a pen\, using poetry to process emotions and engage with the world around her.
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/rambling-read-open-mic-2/
LOCATION:Heirloom Arts\, 1919 Stearns Ave\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49008\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/654620005_18349160374238988_1014641229479265897_n.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260328T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260328T203000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260316T023422Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T023422Z
UID:3192-1774724400-1774729800@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:Poets in Print- Katy Didden and Samyak Shertok
DESCRIPTION:Poets in Print sponsored by Kalamazoo Poetry Festival\nKaty Didden and Samyak Shertok\n\n\n\n\nSaturday\, March 28\, 2026\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn person at the KBAC Gallery 7:00 p.m.\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\nKaty Didden is the author of The Glacier’s Wake (Pleiades Press\, 2013) and Ore Choir: The Lava on Iceland (Tupelo Press\, 2022). Her poems and essays appear in journals such as Poetry Northwest\, Ecotone\, 32 Poems\, Diagram\, The Sewanee Review\, and The Kenyon Review\, and she is one of the co-creators of Almanac for the Beyond (Tropic Editions\, 2019). She is an associate professor at Ball State University where she directs the Creative Writing Program and teaches poetry workshops and Creative Writing and the Environment.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\nSamyak Shertok’s debut collection\, No Rhododendron\, was selected by Kimiko Hahn for the 2024 AWP Donald Hall Prize for Poetry and is forthcoming from the University of Pittsburgh Press (Pitt Poetry Series) in 2025. His poems appear in The Cincinnati Review\, The Gettysburg Review\, The Iowa Review\, The Kenyon Review\, POETRY\, Shenandoah\, Best New Poets\, and elsewhere. His honors include the Robert and Adele Schiff Award for Poetry\, the Gulf Coast Prize in Poetry\, and the Auburn Witness Poetry Prize. Originally from Nepal\, he was the inaugural Hughes Fellow in Poetry at Southern Methodist University and teaches creative writing at Hendrix College. For more\, please visit samyakshertok.com.
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/poets-in-print-katy-didden-and-samyak-shertok/
LOCATION:Kalamazoo Book Arts Center\, 326 W. Kalamazoo Avenue\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/642125171_18346963180238988_7203693902744741781_n.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260329T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260329T220000
DTSTAMP:20260421T113135
CREATED:20260316T024030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260316T024030Z
UID:3199-1774810800-1774821600@kalamazoopoetryfestival.com
SUMMARY:The Void Zine Drop
DESCRIPTION:Kalamazoo Poetry Festival sponsors a magazine! Come support local artists\, musicians\, and poets at The Void Zine drop! Featuring local poet and Fire Executive Director\, Destine Price. There will be snacks\, bands\, and a special poetry reading. \nDestiné Price (She/They) \nBorn in Kalamazoo\, Michigan and raised in both Kalamazoo & metro Detroit area\, Destiné plants herself in many spaces as a multimedia artist\, writer\, a poet\, a youth advocate guide\, and a healer. Destiné works as the Executive Director of Fire Historical and Cultural Arts Collaborative holding a background of being a former fire youth and former program contractor of the organization. They have worked with youth\, peers\, and other youth development professionals in other capacities such as their previous position as a Volunteer Coordinator at Read and Write Kalamazoo\, a Youth Advocacy Consultant at KYDnetwork\, and student delegate of the International Congress of Youth Voices. They also uplift their community and practice sound therapy healing as a Sound Bath Practitioner. As a parent of 3\, Destiné continues to strive to show up as a critical lover in spaces\, a mother\, and an advocate.
URL:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/event/the-void-zine-drop/
LOCATION:Factory Coffee\, 213 E Frank St\, Kalamazoo\, MI\, 49007\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MARCH-2026-6.jpg
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