With Professor Bonnie Bonincontri James Franco gives a career-defining performance as the young Allen Ginsberg-poet, counter-culture adventurer, and chronicler of the Beat Generation-in Howl, the audacious film from Academy Awardr-winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman. Franco as Ginsberg recounts the road trips, love affairs, and search for personal liberation that led to the most timeless, electrifying, and controversial work of his career: Howl. Pushing the limits and challenging the mainstream, the passionate and provocative Howl and its publisher found themselves on trial for obscenity, with prosecutor Ralph McIntosh (David Strathairn) setting out to have the book banned, while defense attorney … Read more >

In support of local Universities that offer MFA degrees in poetry and creative writing, The Palm Beach Poetry Festival invites you to a special reading of local poets and their esteemed faculty members. READERS FIU Faculty: Donna Aza Weir-Soley Julie Marie Wade   Current MFA students: Jan Becker Ellene Glenn Moore (Leenie) Megan Arlett Monica Restrepo Chazz Chitwood Ariel Henriquez   Incoming MFA student (with undergraduate degree from FIU in English): Clidiane Aubourg   FAU Faculty: Becka Mara McKay Susan Mitchell   FAU Students Nico Cassanetti Jeanette Geraci Kira Geiger Rebecca Jensen Shari Lefler Kathleen Martin Kathryn McLaughlin James White … Read more >

  Using original film clips and interviews, this film illustrates the 1950s social movement termed the Beat Generation. Disillusioned with post-World War II America, Beat Generation writers and painters came together because they felt mainstream America was becoming out of touch with humanity and the individual. In their interviews, Beats Allen Ginsberg,  Neal Cassady,  Jack Kerouac, and  Gregory Corso express their disdain for a society that defines success and happiness in terms of superior technology, cars, and clothing. Those individuals discuss the false conventionality of society and the dangerous world of shock treatments and conformity in which they found themselves. Their goal is to … Read more >

We invite you to celebrate National Poetry Month and join us for a round-robin poetry reading in the beautiful Green Cay Wetlands Nature Preserve. We will spend a lovely afternoon reading poetry informally around the circle in the Green Cay Club House Community Room. Please bring up to four poems (favorites, or your own) to share with the group. Please be prompt as we will start to read at 12:30. We suggest you bring a light wrap or jacket as the room may be cold. Read more >

  Robert Kern says of Gary Snyder’s 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning volume, Turtle Island, the poet manages to “to locate the self ecologically in its actions and interactions with its environment.” Departing from his fellow “beats” who wished to explore the sodden underbelly of American culture, Snyder propels the discussion of environmental conscious into a pressing and meaningful investigation. In this vein, we will assess our present ecological and environmental state through a workshop on the concrete image. Kimberly Burwick MFA, is the author of four collections of poetry: Has No Kinsmen (Red Hen Press 2006), Horses in the Cathedral, winner of … Read more >

The Palm Beach Poetry Festival, in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of the Palm Beaches would like to invite you to an over the moon poetry reading! While observing the moon and stars, we will be reading poetry round robin. You are invited to bring up to three single-page poems on the subject of the sky, solar system: planets, moon and stars. The poems can be your own work, or your favorites of others and relating to the night sky. While one poet is reading, other poets can view the night sky through the telescopes provided by the Astronomical Society in the … Read more >

Join us to share the love of poetry at our Valentine’s Day Reading at Sunrise Assisted Living Facility. Our poetry troupe will take to the mic to read poems of love and sing some romantic songs of yesteryear for the residents. Please bring 5 (single page) poems, your own or your favorites. Feel free to sing some golden oldie love songs. This group responds to the lyrics and poetry of music! This event will be held in the Brighton Gardens building farthest to the right of the Main Entrance. To RSVP, contact Dr. Blaise Allen, Director of Community Outreach, at DrBlaiseAllen@aol.com. Read more >

Marc Kelly Smith (Slampapi) & Dominique Christina The 12th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival’s finale is the Sizzling Spoken Word Poetry Performances presented with JAMnasium at the Old School Square Field House and features poets Marc Kelly Smith, founder of the poetry slam “Slampapi” and Dominique Christina, National Poetry Slam Champion. Christina is a five-time poetry slam winner and Smith is the creator and founder of the International Poetry Slam movement. Drinks, Food, Music, and Sizzling Spoken Word will be served.   Read more >

Carol Frost & Tom Sleigh Evening Readings are in the Crest Theatre, followed by book signings in the bookstore, Ocean Breeze Room, courtesy of Murder on the Beach. Read more >

Faculty Poets share and discuss beloved poems that have been influential in their lives and in their writing. A favorite event!       Read more >