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Best Poetry Events In Pittsburgh

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In a city like Pittsburgh that is full of universities, libraries and theatres, celebrating National Poetry Month is easy. Poetry is a wide-ranging genre of writing and the events Pittsburgh has to offer showcases that diversity. Stop by any of the following events to learn more about poetry present your own poetry and hear readings of famous poems.

Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange Workshop
Brentwood Public Library
3501 Brownsville Road
Brentwood, PA 15227
(412) 481-POEM
www.pghpoetryexchange.pghfree.net

Date: April 1, 2013 at 7 p.m.

Start National Poetry Month off right by heading to this monthly poetry workshop to listen to poets read their works, have your works critiqued and learn some new poetry writing skills. Poets of all levels — from aspiring poets to experienced ones — are encouraged to attend these monthly workshops that are hosted by the Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange which has been helping poets write better poems since the 1970s. A small $2 donation to the library is encouraged. If you are bringing some of your poems to share with other poets, bring multiple copies.

Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange Poetry Readings
Coffee Tree Roasters
5524 Walnut St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 481-POEM
www.pghpoetryexchange.pghfree.net 

Date: April 24, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange also hosts a monthly poetry reading by a famous poet followed by a discussion about the poet's works. Like its workshops, the Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange poetry readings are free and are held in a quiet private back room at locally owned Coffee Tree Roasters. Check the website for the poet being highlighted that evening. Each attendee is encouraged to bring a copy of the specific work being discussed.

Word Circus: Chatham MFA Reading Series & Open Mic Night
Most Wanted Fine Art
5015 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 328-4737
www.sampsoniaway.org

Date: April 13, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

This event at Chatham University in Shadyside is hosted by the MFA Creative Writing Program at Chatham at the Most Wanted Fine Art Gallery on Penn Avenue. Free to students and the general public, this event showcases student writers as they present their works and encourages attendees to step up to the open mic and share as many as three of their own poems with the crowd. Since Pittsburgh is a college town full of students on a budget, keep in mind the awesome bonus this even features: free refreshments and a BYOB policy for attendees who are over 21. Check out Word Circus's Facebook page for updates and more info.

Related: Best Events for Geeks In Pittsburgh

3 Poems... A Poetry Discussion Group
Carnegie Library

4400 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 622-3151
www.carnegielibrary.org 

Date: April 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

Join this monthly poetry discussion group, which bills itself as a lively conversation about famous and well loved poets. For Poetry Month, Rita Dove's works will be discussed. Dove served as the youngest and first African-American Poet Laureate of the United States and was the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry winner in 1987. Her work will appeal to a wide-range of audiences as her work is known to defy categorization. Admission to this event is free but registration is encouraged. Visit the calendar of events for more information.

The New Yinzer Presents...
Modern Formations Gallery
4919 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 362-0274
www.tnypresents.blogspot.comDate: April 18, 2013 at 8 p.m.

On the third thursday of every month during spring, The New Yinzer sponors an event at Modern Formations Art Gallery that honors locally and nationally known poets. Make the trip to Upper Lawrenceville for this small gathering of poetry enthusiasts as four poets present their works. The gallery holds no more than 70 for a seated event and it costs only $5 or is free if you bring a potluck dish or a refreshment.

Related: Best Ways To Celebrate Women's History Month in Pittsburgh

Sally Turkovich Wright lives in her beloved city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. She is a policy analyst by training, an eyewear stylist by trade and an amateur healthy-living advocate by choice. She also writes a column for Twoday Magazine. Catch up with her there at twodaymag.com. Her work can be found at Twodaymag.com.

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