Bad Poems: Poetry of Resistance, Defiance, & Dissent
Thursday, 04/09/2026-04/09/2026, 07:00 pm-09:30 pm
The Betsy Hotel-B Bar
1440 Ocean Drive,
Miami Beach, Florida, 33139
Website
Cost: 0

This annual event, now in its third year, is inspired by “The Ballad of Sam Solomon,” Langston Hughes’ poem on Black resistance and resilience in Jim Crow Miami. Together, we celebrate Sam Solomon—a Miami resident and civil rights activist—and the Black voters who, in the face of Klan threats and segregation, organized and claimed their right to vote in 1939. Their collective power continues to shape the spirit of this gathering and the work we carry forward today. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM at B Bar, guests are invited into an evening of poetry, music, and reflection. The night begins with registration, live music inspired by Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, and time for guests to prepare for the open mic using a writing prompt. The program includes a welcome from Corey Davis, historical grounding by Nadege Green, readings from Ballad of Sam Solomon and 9 Decades by Arsimmer McCoy, an orb projection by Nadege Green and Chris Friday, and an open mic featuring invited poets backed by a live band. Artists & Event Team Nadege Green, Producer & Historical Grounding Corey Davis, Producer & Creative Director Arsimmer McCoy, Host & Poet Diego Melgar, Music Director, Keyboardist & Guitar Ackeem Salmon, Harpist Renee, Upright Bassist David Lazco, Percussionist We recommend ride-sharing or arriving with enough time to find street parking. The closest public parking garage to The Betsy is the City of Miami Beach 13th Street Garage ,1301 Collins Ave. Guests are invited to share original work. A prompt will be sent to everyone who RSVPs via email and sign-up details will be available at the event.