Poets Urge Public to Support Bards & Brews, BPL's Popular Spoken Word Event

Bards & Brews 2017

What: Bards & Brews Performance Poetry/Beer Tasting Fundraising Campaign
For More Information: Call Brandon C. Smith at 205-591-4944
How to Donate: Donations are being accepted online at www.bplonline.org/about/contributions/ or by mail at Birmingham Public Library, Development Department, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL, 35203

One by one, 10 poets participating in an all-star spoken poetry event talked of the positive impact Bards & Brews has had on their lives.

Tomika Glenn, a multiple poetry slam winner known on stage as Blaque Diamond, said the Birmingham Public Library’s popular spoken word poetry/beer tasting event helped build her confidence. Lee Green said Bards & Brews, founded six years ago, provided the first opportunity in Birmingham for local poets to share their craft before a large audience.

They were among an all-star list of past winners who participated in Bards & Brews All Star Show held February 3 at the Central Library. Longtime host/poet Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins urged the crowd of 156 people to support local artists and donate to keep Bards & Brews alive. A grant that has funded Bards & Brews has run out, and BPL is in need of the public’s help to keep the monthly program going, Hawkins said.

Green, Glenn, and Hawkins are among a dedicated group of community supporters working with BPL staff to save Bards & Brews. A Bards & Brews fundraising event will be held at an off-site location later in 2017, Hawkins said, adding more details will be announced later.

Poets who performed at the February 3 event were: Blaque Diamond, BStucc, Jahman Hill, Jerri Hardesty, Lee Green, Michael Harriot, Mojo Mama, Shaun Judah, Shaunteka, and Voice Porter.

Follow Bards & Brews on Facebook and look for more news on fundraising efforts on the BPL website at www.bplonline.org.

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