The Unexpected Places You'll Find Poetry During the O, Miami Poetry Festival

What started out as a whimsical dream for writer and former New Times editor P. Scott Cunningham has evolved into a certified Miami tradition. In 2011, Cunningham founded O, Miami, a poetry festival and nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring "every person in Miami-Dade County find a poem during the month of April."

Cunningham stepped down last year, but the mission continues under new leadership. Codirectors Melody Santiago Cummings and Caroline Cabrera are now leading the effort to put poetry in unexpected places throughout the month and encourage locals to try their hand at the literary arts.

Looking to get inspired? Here's where you'll find poetry around Miami this month.

The Grocery Store

Your weekly trip to the grocery store might feel like less of a chore if you find poems on the produce. Nine original poems written by Miami schoolchildren will surprise shoppers over the next few weeks, and you can help spread the (written) word by grabbing sticker sheets at O, Miami events to place on fruits and veggies at your neighborhood store. At grocery stores throughout Miami-Dade through Wednesday, April 30.

Your Windshield

We've all been there: You walk back to your car after a lovely night out with friends to find a dreaded orange-and-white slip on your car's windshield, and you know you'll have to add another $40 to your dinner tab. But if it's April in Miami, there's a slight chance that sinking feeling will quickly be cut short. This might not be a parking ticket, after all, but a sweet poem written by a brilliant Miami student instead. "Tickets" are issued to unsuspecting drivers throughout the month, but you can also grab one at O, Miami events to "ticket a friend."

The Frost Planetarium

O, Miami poems largely focus on the beauty and eccentricities of the unique city we call home. But UniVerse, an original five-minute film created by the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and O, Miami with Topos Graphics, takes viewers on a journey through the Everglades, our region's coral reefs, and outer space. The project features poetry written by Miami-Dade students and will be screened as pre-show content at the 250-seat Frost Planetarium this month. At the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, 1101 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-434-9600; frostscience.org. Museum admission costs $24.95 to $29.95.

Oleta River State Park

O, Miami month is always a great reminder of the greatest aspects of living in South Florida. It's easy to forget in a bustling metropolis like Miami that one of the region's greatest charms is its nature. At Poetry for Preservation, locals are encouraged to take inspiration from their surroundings at Oleta, and the resulting poems will be mailed to the Florida Governor’s office to advocate for the park's preservation. Sunday, April 6, at Oleta River State Park, 3400 NE 163rd St., North Miami Beach; 786-756-2327; floridastateparks.org. Tickets cost $15 via eventbrite.com.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Vizcaya is home to a weekly farmers' market with vendors and activities, including yoga and pilates. During this special O, Miami edition, you're encouraged to participate in a clothing swap and poetry workshop. Bring a summer-friendly clothing item you're comfortable parting with and exchange it for a preloved item. Then, write a poem inspired by the new addition to your closet. Later in the month, come back for the popular ZipOdes Finale, which marks its tenth anniversary this year. Sunday, April 13, at 11 a.m. and Wednesday, April 23, at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, 3251 S. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-250-9133; vizcaya.org. Admission is free. RSVP for the ZipOdes Finale via eventbrite.com.

Boia De

This Michelin-starred Italian restaurant has earned plenty of attention outside Miami over the last few years, but it hasn't forgotten its roots. For O, Miami month, enjoy an intimate dinner featuring its signature dishes and stay for the unveiling of a new poetry display at the restaurant. Wednesday, April 16, at Boia De, 5205 NE Second Ave., Miami; 786-209-6310; omiami.org.

The Miami Beach Bandshell

Head to the Miami Beach Bandshell for the "Where Mangos Drop" variety show with appearances and performances by Marnino Toussaint, the Carol City Marching Chiefs, Miami Beach Senior High School, the Nu Deco NXT youth ensemble, among others. In addition to the performances, you'll see the fruits of the nonprofit's year-round educational initiatives with work from students of the in-school Sunroom program and the Greenhouse summer apprenticeship. 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Miami Beach Bandshell, 7275 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 786-453-2897; miamibeachbandshell.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.

Doral Cultural Arts Center

Last year illustrator Melissa Gutierrez, better known around town as the artist behind Westofchester, released ABCs of Miami, a children's book in collaboration with O, Miami. She'll do a reading at the Doral Cultural Arts Center this month, followed by a hands-on artmaking workshop. 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Doral Cultural Arts Center, 8363 NW 53rd St., Doral; 305-593-6671; cityofdoral.com. Admission is free with RSVP via eventbrite.com.

The Miami City Cemetery

Death has inspired the written word since time immemorial. At O, Miami's Graveyard Poetry workshop, you'll take part in that lineage by seeking inspiration from the Miami City Cemetery. First, you'll learn about the cemetery's history and explore its grounds. Then, you'll write a poem based on the experience and share it with the other participants if you so choose. Reading is optional, but there's a dress code: Attendees are encouraged to wear black to get in the spooky spirit. 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Miami City Cemetery, 1800 NE Second Ave., Miami. Tickets cost $15 via eventbrite.com.

Recoveco

Like Boia De, Recoveco will install a souvenir to remember this year's O, Miami festivities. As part of "Soy de Todas Partes," a project that explores themes associated with the immigrant experience, a poetry vinyl will be installed on the restaurant's window. The poem is meant to cast a shadow inside the restaurant at around the same time each day. 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Recoveco, 6000 SW 74th St., Ste. 1, South Miami; recovecorestaurant.com. Admission costs $200 via eventbrite.com.