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Live Music and Poetry

Tune into the festival’s live performances by nationally touring musicians and adult and youth poets.

Music

Sit back and listen to popular singer/songwriters perform at Eddie’s Attic. Featuring Bill Morrissey, Marshall Chapman, Matraca Berg, Arthur “Buddy” Edwards, and Doug Hoeskstra, with a closing performance by Drive-By Truckers lead singer Patterson Hood.

Poetry

Enjoy spoken word performances by notable poets including the keynote speaker, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, Dan Albergotti, Paul Guest, Juliana Gray, David Kirby, Tony Morris, Natasha Tretheway, Coleman Barks, and many others.

Or, sign up to perform your own work:

• Teen Poetry Slam Open to slam poets ages 12 to 15, this competition will include celebrity judges and prizes. (8/30, 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Target Children’s Stage)
• Invitational Poetry Slam A competition for adult poets, this event will include prizes for finalists. (8/30 8:00-10:00 p.m. at the Java Monkey Local Author’s Stage)
• Java Monkey Speaks Open Mic Pulitzer Prize winner and Decatur Native Natasha Tretheway will be the featured poet at this event. (8/31, 8:00-10:00 p.m. at the Java Monkey Local Author’s Stage)

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