The East Baton Rouge Parish Library launches its milestone twentieth season with a celebration featuring local poets, live music, and a night devoted to You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World
On March 28, the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library at Goodwood will transform into a gathering place for poets, gardeners, families, musicians, and neighbors. The occasion: the 20th annual One Book One Community launch celebration, which will center on the 2026 community reading selection, You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World.
Dubbed “We Are Here: A Gathering of Poets,” the evening program invites Baton Rouge residents to step out of their routines and into a shared creative space. Local voices taking center stage include Baton Rouge poet Ed Ruzicka, New Orleans poet Benjamin Morris, and LSU MFA Professor Adam Clay, whose work is featured in the You Are Here poetry anthology.
“We’ve invited scads of local poets to come and celebrate either their contribution to the book, or to poetry in general,” said librarian Brandon Reilly. The event promises a dynamic showcase of regional talent, grounded in the spirit of connection through nature that defines this year’s read, OBOC’s first ever poetry anthology.
Attendees are also invited to step out of the audience to become part of the program. Try your hand at composing on a vintage typewriter, step up to the open-mic Poetry Café, or let it rip while joining in community karaoke between live sets by Favorite Friend with Raudol Palacios.
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At EBRPL's One Book One Community launch celebration, the staff of Odom's Kitchen serves dinner with a smile.
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Attendees let loose to live music by Favorite Friend with Raudol Palacios.
Families are warmly welcomed, with activities for kids such as face painting. Guests can also look forward to enjoying a free dinner prepared by Odom’s Kitchen.
Between activities, patrons are invited to peruse information and resources presented by local vendors and organizations working in the world of sustainability, gardening, and going green—offering practical ways to carry themes explored in You Are Here beyond the page.
Don’t miss this holistic opportunity to get a head-start on of spring’s slate of workshops, classes, screenings, and hands-on nature programs—all designed to foster explorations of poetry, nature, and the connections between them. “We Are Here: A Gathering of Poets” will take place at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library at Goodwood on Saturday, March 28 from 4 pm–8 pm. Admission is free and open to all.
Details at ebrpl.libguides.com/youarehere.
