Linn-Henley Research Library to Host Bards & Brews Poetry Slam October 11

Bards & Brews host Voice Porter at recent poetry event. BPL is hosting a poetry slam October 11 at Linn-Henley Research Library. First place will win $300; 2nd place $200; 3rd place $100. For more information, go to www.bplonline.org

Bards & Brews, the Birmingham Public Library's popular spoken-word poetry/craft beer program, is hosting its first poetry slam of 2019 on Friday, October 11 at the Central Library's Linn-Henley Research Library.

The event will be held in the Arrington Auditorium on the Fourth Floor of the Linn-Henley. Musical entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring G’s Band, led by Garry Thomas, a network administrator for the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, which includes BPL. Poetry will begin to flow at 7:00 p.m.

Voice Porter, who was recently featured in a national spotlight by Starbucks Coffee, will serve as emcee and host.

A poetry slam is a competition using elimination rounds for the performance of spoken word poetry, judged by a panel chosen from the audience. BPL's poetry slam is open to members of the public who pay a $5 fee to enter the competition. The October 11 slam will be limited to nine participants.

The Bards & Brews poetry slam is free to attendees 18 and older; you must be at least 21 to drink the free craft beer samples. The first prize winner of the poetry slam will get $300; the second place winner will receive $200, and the third place winner will receive $100.

Bards & Brews is supported by the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. Hop City Beer & Wine of Birmingham will handle the beer pouring.

BPL hosts Bards & Brews monthly except December, usually on the first Friday evening. For more information, visit Bards & Brews on Facebook or click on the BPL events calendar.