Bards & Brews, the Birmingham Public Library's popular spoken-word poetry/craft beer program, is hosting its first poetry slam of 2019 on October 11 at the Central Library's Linn-Henley Research Library.

A poetry slam is a competition using elimination rounds for the performance of spoken word poetry, judged by a panel chosen from the audience. BPL's poetry slam is open to members of the public who pay a $5 fee to enter the competition. The slam will be limited to nine participants.

The first prize winner of the poetry slam will receive $300; the second place winner $200; the third place winner $100.

Musical entertainment will begin at 6:30 p.m. featuring G’s Band, led by Garry Thomas, a network administrator for the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, which includes BPL. Poetry will begin to flow at 7:00 p.m. Hop City Beer & Wine of Birmingham will handle the beer pouring. Voice Porter will serve as emcee and host.

The Bards & Brews poetry slam is FREE to attendees 18 and older; you must be at least 21 to drink the free craft beer samples. The event will be held in the Linn-Henley Research Library/Arrington Auditorium/4th floor.

Bards & Brews is supported by the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library.