This April, poetry enthusiasts and lovers of fine pastry will gather in Florence, Massachusetts for an evening of storytelling, lyrical expression, and community conversation over a slice of pie. As part of the Florence Poetry Carnival, “Poetry and Pie” will be the central event of 2025, promising a vibrant fusion of literary performance and communal engagement.
On April 26, the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity in Florence will host the Brother’s Keeper Poetry and Theater Ensemble: A Voice for Change as the featured literary artists. The evening is a collaboration between Florence Poetry Carnival founder Rachel Cyrene Blackman, the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, and the Florence Pie Bar, which will offer slices of its celebrated pies for sale. Held in honor of National Poetry Month, the event aims to nourish intellect, tradition, and the palate across Western Massachusetts communities.
Rachel Blackman, who founded the event, expressed a desire not only to pair poetry and pie but also to connect young local writers with established poets. A special part of the program will feature three finalists from this year’s Academy Regional Youth Poetry Slam, selected on April 5. These young poets, representing the next generation of spoken word artists, will open the evening with performances that bring fresh perspectives and raw emotion to the stage. The youth slam is hosted by spoken word artist Imani Wallace, who also performs under the name Lyrical Faith.
Brother’s Keeper Poetry and Theater Ensemble, which includes poets Marlon Carey, Art Collins, Lawrence R. Nunes, and Yunus Quddus, first came together in 2013. Hailing from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, they merge poetry with theater and music to uplift, challenge, and inspire. Their work, including the original poetry play “Yes I Am,” encourages audiences to reflect and envision a more just and connected world. For the Bombyx performance, Carey says the group is preparing an original remix of poems by Emily Dickinson.
More than a collective of four Black poets, Brother’s Keeper serves as a catalyst for dialogue, healing, and social change. They’ve brought their performances to city halls, corporate diversity programs, and young adult recovery centers, using the arts to bridge divides and build understanding. Their contributions have earned them citations of merit from cities including East Providence, Providence, and Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Their presence at Poetry and Pie will bring both depth and celebration to the evening.
Poetry and Pie is more than an event; it’s a reflection of Florence’s commitment to public art and shared stories. The Florence Poetry Carnival remains a vital platform for creative expression, and with support from the Bombyx Center and the Florence Pie Bar, guests can look forward to an evening that is as intellectually enriching as it is delicious.
Whether drawn by the poetry, the pie, or the sense of community, attendees can expect a night where language and flavor intertwine, where emotion meets expression, and where voices young and seasoned celebrate the transformative power of the arts.
Poetry and Pie will take place on April 26, 2025, at the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, located at 130 Pine Street in Florence, Massachusetts. The show begins at 7:00 p.m., with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. A suggested donation of $20 is encouraged for advance reservations and at the door. This event invites all to immerse themselves in an evening of literary passion and culinary delight, a one-of-a-kind tribute to National Poetry Month.
For tickets and more information, visit https://bombyx.live/events/poetry-pie/
