contributing author: Kaitlyn Armendáriz

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The Rise of Poetry Performance in Dallas

As one of only 19 U.S. Cities with a Poet Laureate, alongside a plethora of indie book stores and multiple world-class literary festivals, Dallas has established itself as a bustling center for the literary arts full of endless opportunities to enjoy the written word in ways you never have before. With such a wide array of options at your fingertips to explore Dallas’ literary landscape, where do you start? If you’re searching for authentic creativity and a connection to the heart of the city’s growing literary scene, poetry performance is a perfect place to start. 

Dallas' poetry scene is all about self-expression, reflection, and connection. Poetry performance events give artists a platform to share their personal stories, often addressing social issues, personal struggles, politics—and oftentimes, all of those things at once. The focus is on building a supportive and inclusive community where all voices are heard. 

While it’s hard to recommend just a few places and events (out of quite literally hundreds and hundreds), we’ve collected a few recommendations for you to start your journey:

The Wild Detectives

If there’s one neighborhood in Dallas that’s synonymous with artistic expression, it’s Oak Cliff. Known for its murals, good food, and storied history, Oak Cliff is also home to some of the city’s most celebrated independent book stores. One of its many gems is The Wild Detectives, a unique bookstore/bar that seamlessly combines the love of literature with community connection. Their autumn "Poetry on the Patio" events have become the place to be, offering an inviting space for both new and seasoned poets to share their work.

Founded by two Spanish civil engineers with a love for books (and booze), The Wild Detectives has evolved into a hub for all things creative. Their events are as welcoming as the space itself, ranging from poetry readings to DJ sets. With its laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot for engaging with Dallas' emerging voices, whether you’re sipping a craft beer or flipping through a book from their curated selection.

If you're looking for things to do near Dallas that are both relaxing and thought-provoking, a visit to The Wild Detectives will surely satisfy your creative cravings.

Deep Vellum Bookstore

3000 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75226 • (469) 781-4881

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Just across the Trinity River, in the buzzy Deep Ellum neighborhood sits another local gem: Deep Vellum Bookstore. Deep Vellum originally opened in 2013 as a nonprofit publishing house with a mission to bring diverse international literature to Dallas while fostering a vibrant literary community. 

Since then, Deep Vellum has expanded to include a bookstore, five publishing imprints that focus on both international and local writers, and hosts an ever-growing number of literary events. As a nonprofit, Deep Vellum prioritizes publishing works with artistic and social value, creating opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and community building. For poetry aficionados looking for an artistic precursor to a night out popping between the bars and music venues of this industry-born neighborhood, Deep Vellum regularly hosts poetry readings, featuring writers like Jake Skeets, Saúl Hernandez, Benjamin Garcia, and Sebastian H. Páramo.

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Must-Attend Dallas Poetry Events

The Dallas poetry scene is filled with diverse events that offer something for everyone. No matter if you're a first-time attendee or a poetry veteran, you’ll find several must-attend events in the city:

• Dallas Poetry Slam: Known as one of the longest-running poetry organizations in the country, Dallas Poetry Slam is a weekly gathering that showcases local and national talent. The organization is all about giving artists a platform to share their voices, and their events are perfect if you're looking for a lively, inclusive space.
• Pan-African Poetry & Open Mic Night: Held every second Wednesday at Pan-African Connection Bookstore, this event celebrates the richness of Pan-African culture through spoken word and music. It's an evening of powerful performances that will undoubtedly leave you both inspired and moved.
• Oak Cliff Book Crawl: Start off at Poet’s Bookshop owned by local poet and novelist Marco Cavazos, and follow their self-guided walking tour to check out all of the independent bookstores that call Oak Cliff home. You can do the walking tour any time of the year but to celebrate April as National Poetry Month, each stop hosts a variety of poetry performance events. 
• Dallas is Lit Festival: Every May, The Writer’s Garret, a community organization dedicated to supporting writers and the literary arts in Dallas, hosts the Dallas is Lit Festival. The 2025 Festival will be four days of community events celebrating every facet of the literary arts and includes a marquee conversation with three-time U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.

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And of course, we couldn’t talk about supporting local poets without jumping just a little northeast in the Metroplex and talking about Illuminated Voices, a youth open mic poetry night presented in partnership with Outloud Dallas at Meow Wolf Grapevine: The Real Unreal. After immersing yourself in the mind-bending worlds filled with interactive art installations of The Real Unreal, grab a seat in the electric venue space and hear the voices of the next generation of poets and writers from across the Metroplex presented by Outloud Dallas. Outloud Dallas is a community organization dedicated to amplifying youth voices and valuing youth as capable artists, storytellers, and changemakers. 

Where Voices Echo and Inspire

These are just a few examples of the many Dallas poetry events happening around the Metroplex. Whether you prefer intimate readings or energetic slams, Dallas has something to offer every poetry enthusiast. In neighborhoods like Oak Cliff and Deep Ellum, you’ll find a new generation of artists using their voices to explore themes of identity, community, and creativity. At the Real Unreal you’ll hear from youth who are charting their journey as the next generation of literary artists. So what are you waiting for? There’s a whole world of words waiting for you.