In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Louisiana Center for the Book announces the seventh annual Just Listen to Yourself: The Louisiana Poet Laureate Presents Louisiana Poets program. Peter Cooley, Louisiana Poet Laureate, will host the event on Thursday, April 27, 2017, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Seminar Center of the State Library, 701 N. Fourth St., Baton Rouge, La.

Cooley has invited poets across the state to participate in readings of their work. Those participating include Jack Bedell, Gina Ferrara, John Gery, Clare Martin, Biljana Obradovic, Andrea Panzeca, Mona Lisa Saloy, and John Warner Smith, as well as previous Louisiana poet laureates DarreII Bourque and Julie Kane.

“This program has become an event that we look forward to each year, giving us an opportunity to work with the state’s poet laureate to showcase the varied voices, both established poets and those newly joining the chorus, convening from various areas of the state to celebrate the power of poetry,”  says Rebecca Hamilton, State Librarian.  “The program has become a highly anticipated tradition.”

Attendees are not required to register for this free event but are invited to bring brown bag lunches if they wish.The Louisiana Center for the Book was established in the State Library of Louisiana in 1994 for the purpose of stimulating public interest in reading, books and libraries.For more information, visit www.state.lib.la.us.

– www.LouisianaTravel.com–