Bards & Brews

05/29/2026

Next Friday, June 5, in collaboration with Ferus Artisan Ales in the Trussville Entertainment District, the Birmingham Public Library is hosting a special open mic poetry tribute to the late Brian "Voice Porter" Hawkins, longtime former host of our popular monthly spoken word poetry/craft beer series Bards & Brews.
Hope you can make it & help us spread the word about this tribute to Voice-see details in this blog below

What: BPL’s Bards & Brews Open Mic Tribute to Voice Porter When: Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. (doors open for open mic sign up a...

05/23/2026

Bards & Brews host Thed Weller’s tribute to longtime late host Brian “Voice Porter’ Hawkins. Join Birmingham Public Library tribute to Voice on Friday June 5 during a Bards Open Mic poetry night 6:30 pm at Ferus Artisan Ales -doors open at 6 pm

05/11/2026

Scenes from the Bards & Brews Poetry Slam held on May 1 at the downtown Birmingham Public Library. Special congrats to our 3 winning poets: BeShaun Leavell, 1st place winner of $250; Jenoa Sundiata Tmbuktu, 2nd place ($150) and 3rd place Aarvi Shah, winner of $100. The next Bards & Brews will be an Open Mic held at Ferus Artisan Ales in the Trussville Entertainment District just off Highway 11. Bards & Brews is sponsored in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts given to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. In its 16th year, Bards & Brews is a spoken word poetry/craft beer event held every 1st Friday by the Birmingham Public Library

05/03/2026

Poem medley by BeShaun Leavell, 1st place winner of $250 at Friday’s Bards& Brews Poetry Slam at Birmingham Public Library downtown

05/02/2026

Poem by Timbuktu, who won 2nd place $150 prize at last night’s Bards& Brews poetry slam at the Birmingham Public Library downtown

05/02/2026

“Girlhood,” a powerful poem at Friday night’s Bards& Brews Poetry Slam at Birmingham Public Library by 18-year-old 1st time participant Aarvi Shah, who won $100 3rd place prize against several veteran spoken word artists.

05/01/2026

Poets, $500 is on the line tomorrow at downtown Birmingham Public Library: $250 1st place ,$150 2nd, $100 3rd. $5 entry fee open to 1st poets to sign up
What: Bards & Brews Poetry Slam
When: Friday, May 1, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. (Poet registration begins at 6:00 p.m.)
Where: Birmingham Public Library’s Central Location,
2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203

04/29/2026

🔥 Poetry. Competition. Crowd Energy. 🔥Some of Birmingham’s top spoken word artists are hitting the stage THIS Friday night at the Birmingham Public Library for the Bards & Brews Poetry Slam; $500 in cash prizes is on the line! 💰
🎤 Hosted by Thed Weller
🎶 Featured Artist: Saxual Healer
This isn’t just a show. The audience is part of the action:
👏 Cheer for your favorite poet
😤 Boo the judges if you don’t like their scores
🔥 Feel the energy of live, competitive spoken word 🎤
🗓 Friday, May 1, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
📍 BPL Central, 2100 Park Place
✅ Free admission (18+)
🍺 Beer samples available for 21+
Come witness the passion, the creativity, and the raw talent that makes Bards & Brews so special. Supported by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

04/22/2026

Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to experience some of the metro area’s top spoken word artists competing for a combined $500 in a Bards & Brews Poetry Slam happening Friday, May 1 at the Central Library downtown.
Ten poets will go head-to-head in a fast-paced, three-round poetry slam. First place wins a $250 check, second place $150 and third place $100. With audience members serving as judges, every performance counts and getting the crowd on your side matters. Thed Weller will serve as host. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with live music by saxophonist Saxual Healer beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the poetry slam. The competition is limited to the first 10 poets who register on-site and pay the $5 entry fee.
Admission is free and open to the public; you must be 18 or older to enter and 21 or older to drink beer samples. Yellowhammer Brewing will serve as the beer sponsor for the evening. Bards & Brews is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

The Stage Is Set for BPL's Bards & Brews Poetry Slam on May 1: 10 Poets. 3 Rounds. One Champion. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Libr...