Poetry workshops also competitions

Wednesday is the first of several teen “poetry slams” to be hosted this spring by the Central Arkansas Library System.

The events, meant for people ages 12 to 19, give teens a chance to perform their poems and double as poetry workshops. A winner of each poetry slam will advance to the Arkansas Literary Festival Poetry Slam on April 16. The winner of the festival contest gets a cash prize.

To advertise the event, the library system shared its own poem: “It’s cool to rhyme. It’s amazing to read. Teens, make some time To speak your creed. Under a CALS branch dome, No matter your size, Perform a poem To win a prize.” The first poetry slam is at the McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Road, at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Another at the Esther D. Nixon Library, at 703 W Main St. in Jacksonville, is at 4 p.m. Friday. The Main Library at 100 S. Rock St. in downtown Little Rock will host its teen poetry slam at 2 p.m. Saturday.

A full listing of the other events planned through April 14 is available by emailing amckeever@cals.org.