The West End Poetry Festival features poets from a range of poetic styles, ages, professions, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and stages of development. The festival draws emerging and established poets and local and nationally recognized poets.

This year’s theme is “Poetry for a Change”. For more information about joining the conversation, visit our how to participate page.

2020 West End Poetry Festival Participants

Featured Poets

• Michael Glaser
• Rachel Hadas
• Destiny Hemphill
• Fred Joiner
• John Murillo
• CJ Suitt

Carrboro Poets Council

• Abigail Browning
• Jay Bryan
• Maura High
• Fred Joiner
• Gary Phillips
• Susan Wiley Spalt
• Gideon Young

Virtual Curated Open Mic

• Introduced by Paul Jones
• Get your performance ready!
• Applications are open! Learn more on our requirements page.

Community Poem (NEW!)

• We would like to create a poem with you to publish on the West End Poetry Festival Website! Stay tuned for how to participate.