Ballston Spa to host third annual 'Random Acts of Poetry' celebration

Month-long series of poetry events and activities to take place throughout April

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:22pm

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The Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts has announced the third annual 'Random Acts of Poetry' series, a village-wide celebration of National Poetry Month in April. The month-long event will feature a variety of poetry-related activities, including a 'Poetry Walk' with student and resident haikus, 'Dining with Poetry' at local restaurants, a 'Poetry Chalk Walk' by Girl Scout troops, and a 'Poem in Your Pocket' program at participating businesses. The celebration will also include poetry readings, workshops, and an open mic night.

Why it matters

The 'Random Acts of Poetry' series helps promote and celebrate the art of poetry within the Ballston Spa community. By engaging local schools, businesses, and residents, the event aims to make poetry more accessible and encourage people to discover new poets and poetic forms. The series also aligns with the national observance of National Poetry Month, which has been celebrated annually since 1996 to highlight the importance of poetry in our culture.

The details

The 'Random Acts of Poetry' series will kick off on April 1 and run throughout the month. Highlights include a 'Poetry Walk' with haikus displayed on street light banners and lawn signs, 'Dining with Poetry' events at local restaurants, a 'Poetry Chalk Walk' by Girl Scout troops, and 'Poem in Your Pocket' buckets at participating businesses. The celebration will also feature poetry readings, workshops, and an open mic night hosted by local poets.

  • The 'Random Acts of Poetry' series will run throughout the month of April 2026.
  • A book signing event with authors Rose Marie LaPietra and MacKenzie Akin-Martel will kick off the series on April 7, 2026.
  • A 'Poetry Performance Reading' will take place on April 12, 2026 at the Brookside Museum's Long Room.
  • Poetry workshops will be held on April 18, 2026 at the Ballston Spa Library.
  • The series will culminate with an Open Mic Night on April 30, 2026 at Back Barn Brewery.

The players

Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts

The organization responsible for organizing and hosting the 'Random Acts of Poetry' series in Ballston Spa.

Jay Rogoff

A local poet and the Saratoga Springs Poet Laureate, who will host the 'Poetry Performance Reading' event.

Barbara Ungar

A poet who will participate in the 'Poetry Performance Reading' event.

Hajar Hussaini

A poet who will participate in the 'Poetry Performance Reading' event.

Elaine Handley

A local poet who will lead the 'A Playful Way into Reading Poetry' workshop.

Marilyn McCabe

A local poet who will lead the 'Playing With Words: A Poetry Writing Workshop'.

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What they’re saying

“Poems aren't puzzles — they're experiences”

— Elaine Handley, Workshop leader

“Come playful and leave with new tools and fresh lines of their own.”

— Marilyn McCabe, Workshop leader

What’s next

The Ballston Spa Committee on the Arts will continue to promote and organize the 'Random Acts of Poetry' series in the coming years, building on the success of the first three annual events.

The takeaway

The 'Random Acts of Poetry' series demonstrates Ballston Spa's commitment to fostering a vibrant arts and cultural scene, with poetry serving as a unifying thread that brings the community together through shared experiences and creative expression.