2023 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.

2023 Featured Poets

Debra Marquart

Iowa Poet Laureate

Matt Mason

Nebraska State Poet

Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Former Kansas Poet Laureate

Christine Stuart-Nunez

Former South Dakota Poet Laureate

Akwi Nji

Iowa Poet

Caleb "The Negro Artist" Rainey

Iowa Poet

Schedule of Events

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Franklin Jr. High Event Center
7:00 - 9:30 p.m. | Iowa Poetry Association Poetry Slam Finals

Friday, April 7, 2023

Mainframe Studios
4:00 - 7:00 p.m. | Poetry Palooza with Mainframe Studios
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. | Feature Poets Reading

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Mainframe Studios
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. | Poetry Workshops led by Feature Poets
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. | Networking Coffee
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Poetry Workshops led by Feature Poets
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Panel Luncheon: Deepening the Poetry Community
1:00 p.m. | Close of Poetry Palooza