April is National Poetry Month, and the Scranton community has their fingers ready to snap inartistic applause.

NorthernLight Espresso Bar and Cafe is getting involved by hosting their first open poetry reading. The event will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20.

Poets are welcome to share a maximum of three original pieces and do not have to register in advance. Interested readers can place their names on a sign-up sheet when they walk in.

Jennifer Saunders has owned Northern Light Espresso Bar and Cafe since 2018. The cafe has hosted book signings, book readings, local music and pop-up food events int he past.

Saunders works closely with local artists and community organizations like Scranton Tomorrow. Northern Light currently showcases “The Art of Tea” by Keith Renard, which is a collection of painted tea bags for sale.

Artists are encouraged to reach out to Northern Light to display their work. The cafe has become a hub for artistic expression and Saunders explained the inspiration behind this particular event.

“Dylan, one of my baristas, requested the event and will be hosting it. He writes poetry and has read it in public before. We thought our space would provide a laid back, inviting space for writers to share their poetry,” Saunders said.

The gathering will take place in the loft, which overlooks the rest of the cafe. The regular NorthernLight food and drink menu will be available plus a poetry themed drink to promote the event.

Northern Light’s address is 536 Biden St. It is about a four-minute walk from campus and a popular place for University of Scranton students.

Multiple students have expressed their interest in the poetry reading. One of those students is senior Katie Till.

Till serves as the technology manager for Esprit, the university’s review of arts and letters. The literary magazine has an editorial staff that considers student poetry, prose and graphic art submissions for publication each semester.

The editorial staff is now evaluating spring submissions for their new magazine, Till said. Till encourages support for fellow writers.

“Happy national poetry month. We love to see the city of Scranton getting in the spirit,” Till said. “Definitely go share your work and enjoy others’ readings,” Till said.

Another opportunity to experience a poetry reading is to attend Esprit’s spring magazine reading. Their event will be 8 p.m. May 8 in McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. 

For more information about NorthernLight refer to their Instagram (@northernleb), Facebook (Northern LightEspresso Bar) or website (northernlightespresso.com). For more information about Esprit and their submission guidelines visit their Instagram(@uofs_esprit) and the Esprit page on the University of Scranton website.