What is Poetry Palooza?
Inspired by an educational and entertainment event of nearly 20 years ago, this creative experience – Poetry Palooza! – has been a long time in the making. Now, the time is right.
Poetry& is working in partnership with Humanities Iowa, Mainframe Studios, Franklin Jr. High Event Center, and the Iowa Poetry Association to make Poetry Palooza! a dynamic, interactive, and integrated performing arts experience.
This three-day festival will celebrate Midwestern Poets Laureate, cultivate students and emerging talent, and demonstrate the positive power of poetry.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Iowa Poetry Association Poetry Slam Finals
featuring Akwi Nji
Welcoming remarks by Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Franklin Jr. High Event Center Auditorium
Attendance open to public
Competition open to winners from qualifiers
Friday, April 7, 2023
Finding the Words: An “Obscure Sorrows” Interactive Poetry Workshop
with Iowa Poet Laureat Deb Marquart
10:00 a.m. to Noon
Franklin Jr. High School Cafeteria
Invited urban and rural students
Interactive Poetry Events
with South Dakota Poet Laureate Christine Stewart-Nunez and Mainframe Artist Julia Franklin
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mainframe Studios
Open to public
Guest Poets Performance
with Midwest Poets Laureate Deb Marquart, Christine Stewart-Nunez, Matt Mason, and Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg plus Akwi Nji and Caleb Rainey
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Mainframe Studios Big Room
Open to public
Metro area in-school workshops
with Midwest Poets Laureate Christine Stewart-Nunez, Matt Mason, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg, Akwi Nji
Morning and afternoon
Des Moines Area Schools
Open to respective school's students
Jazz Poetry Cafe and Poetry Readings
as part of Mainframe Studios' First Friday Event
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Mainframe Studios
Open to public
Open Mic Night
Hosted by Kelsey Bigelow
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Mainframe Studios
Open to public
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Led by Guest Poets
10:30 a.m. to Noon
Mainframe Studios Galleries, Big Room, Small Room
Open to public
Networking Coffee
10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Mainframe Studios
Open to public
Panel Lunch: Deepening the Poetry Community
Led by Deb Marquart with Matt Mason, Caleb Rainey, Ana McCracken (Ames Writer's Collective), and Dawn Terpstra (Iowa Poetry Association)
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Mainframe Studios Big Room
Open to public
