Dear Friends of Poetry,
On Thursday, April 2, 2026 Poetry Night will feature the Davis poet laureate Mercedes Ibáñez with guitarist Nick Carvajal. We meet at 7 p.m. inside the spacious John Natsoulas Gallery at 521 1st Street in Davis, and we hope you can join us!
Our featured poet for April 2 and National Poetry Month will be Mercedes Ibanez.
Mercedes Ibáñez is a poet and retired psychologist who was born in Perú and who has lived in Davis, California since 1976. The author of five books of poetry, Ibáñez won the National Award in Literature (Perú) in 1971. Ibáñez’s translation of Ezra Pound’s “Hugh Selwyn Mauberley” was published in 1973. Her 1977 book Caterpillars/Collective was introduced by Kate Millett. The mother of two daughters, and a grandmother of four, Ibáñez is the current poet laureate of Davis, California and a crowd-favorite at the Poetry Night Reading Series at the Natsoulas Gallery in Davis. Ibáñez’s most recent book of poetry is titled Poems from the Roof.
Performing with Ibanez will be guitarist Nick Carvajal.
Nick Carvajal is a librarian and musician who was born in Chile and is based in Davis, California. Carvajal is active in the regional music community as a performer and collaborator. Known for his work as a guitarist and rhythm-section player, he has performed with more than 20 Northern California musical ensembles. Carvajal has also served as music director for various local stage productions such as a Winters Shakespeare Workshop staging of Twelfth Night.
April is National Poetry Month. Doors and open-mic signups open at 6:30 p.m.; the featured performers begin at 7 p.m.; open mic starts at 8 p.m. Open mic performers will be asked to limit what they share to two items or four minutes, whichever is shorter. The open mic list is typically full by 6:45 p.m. People who show up early to help set up chairs will always earn a spot on the open mic list. We expect open mic favorites Michael Gallowglas, Joe Bacchus, and Allegra Silberstein to perform.
Find out more about the Poetry Night Reading Series in Davis, California by visiting https://www.poetryindavis.com. Encourage your friends to sign up for the mailing list. To learn more about Dr. Andy’s tiny media fiefdom, see some of his recent essays on Substack: https://andyjones.substack.com/. One post lists the almost 400 poets who have ever featured at the Poetry Night Reading Series.
In 2026, Poetry Night will welcome the poets listed below as well as Kelli Russell Agodon, Katie Peterson, Wendy Silk, Dianna Henning, Lara Gularte, Terry Moore, Julia Levine, and others.
Please plan to join us on every first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the John Natsoulas Gallery for the Poetry Night Reading Series.
Our Poetry Night Schedule for 2026:
April 16 — Escritores del Nuevo Sol or Writers of the New Sun
May 21 — Molly Fisk and Kirsten Casey
June 4 — Bill O’Daly and Christopher Yohmei Blasdel
June 18 — Robin Becker and Danielle Lemay
