On May 20, 2025, in collaboration with the Poetry Society of Tennessee, the National Beat Poet Laureate and a caravan of poets stops in Memphis, hosted by Cafe Noir, located at 635 Madison Ave. the event begins at 7:00 p.m. (Look for the balloons!)

Vagabond Poetry Tour

The National Beat Poetry Foundation names a national (U.S.) and international Poet Laureate. Mark Lipman, their National Beat Poet Laureate has chosen to undertake a national poetry tour this year, to promote peace and build a vision for a better world. The Vagabond Poetry Tour will stop at as many venues across the country between New England and Los Angeles during a 60-day tour.

About the National Beat Poetry Foundation

The National Beat Poetry Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization, which includes its festivals, “National Beat Poetry Festival” (NBPF), “International Beat Poetry Festival” (IBPF), and “Kerouac Cafe”. While we continue to preserve the writings of the “Beat Generation’, we strive to keep evolving to create a new ” Beat Generation” of Poets, Writers, Artists, and Musicians. The NBPF supports the above primary mission by hosting, collaborating, and fostering joint partnerships for Beat-themed poetry readings, workshops, plays, radio shows and much more locally, across the United States and Worldwide. Learn more.

About Cafe Noir

CAFE NOIR is a Bookstore and Cafe. Their shelves will be filled with books by Black, PoC, LGBTQI+ authors. Along with amazing books, cups will also be filled with ethically sourced and fair traded coffee. Learn more.

About Home Grown Arts

Homegrown Arts is committed to creating art that builds community by using creative writing and performance art. Learn more.