Poetry Center San José (PCSJ) is hosting its ninth annual San José Poetry Festival starting this Thursday, Sept. 7, and running through Sunday, Sept. 10.

Admission starts at $40 for PCSJ members, $50 for non-members, and is free for anyone aged 19 and under.

Get ready to hear from local legends + new voices at these in-person events:

🎤 Readings

Opening Night | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 7 p.m. | First Unitarian Church | Hear readings from four CA-based poets.
Poets of Write Bloody Publishing | Friday, Sept. 8 | 8 p.m. | Tabard Theatre | Listen to a few nationally-known poets from one of the most influential publishers of spoken word artists.

✍️ Workshops

Friday Fun Youth Poetry Workshop | Friday, Sept. 8 | 4-6 p.m. | Get the kiddos writing with the county's former Poet Laureate Mighty Mike McGee.
Writing Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 1:30 p.m. | Tabard Theatre | Learn from Derrick Brown, the founder of Write Bloody Publishing.
Writing Workshop | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Markham House, History Park | LA-based poet Yesika Salgado leads this writing session.

📜 And more

Los Lorcas: Music and Poetry | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 4 p.m. | Tabard Theatre | Tune in to mashups of poetry + music from poets Partridge Boswell and Peter Money.
2023 SCC Youth Poets Laureate | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 7 p.m. | Mexican Heritage Plaza | Meet the new teen poets that will represent Santa Clara County for the next year.
Small Press Fair & Reading | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Markham House, History Park | Peruse poetry books + meet with the publishers.
San José Poetry Slam | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 7 p.m. | Tabard Theatre | Close out the festival with a performance by Yesika Salgado.

Along with these in-person events, there are also a handful of readings, open mics, and workshops held on Zoom throughout the festival. See the full list.