Wild Bloom Poetry Open Mic, Fort Lauderdale's Home for Poetry

An intentional poetry open mic where voices bloom and stories take root.

This isn't just an open mic—it's a space to come home to your voice.

Now held each month inside the beautiful and historic Emily's Garden in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Wild Bloom Poetry Open Mic is where intention meets expression, and words are planted like seeds. Produced and Curated by Stella Amador, Founder of Bloom by Stella, this gathering invites poets, listeners, and the curious into an evening of reflection, connection, and creative growth.

Whether you arrive with a poem or simply a willingness to listen, this space honors your presence. We open with intention, let poetry breathe in its own rhythm, and close with an invitation to connect deeper to Fort Lauderdale's blooming poetic community. Each gathering features one carefully chosen poet to anchor the night, followed by an open mic where stories unfold—one voice, one seed, at a time.

✨ What to Expect:

— Jazz music by local Trombonist and Resident Musician, Izzi Guzman

— One featured poet (8-10 minute spotlight)

— Open mic readers (4-minute max each; RSVP to sign up and check-in at the door)

— Delicious food and drinks available for purchase and warm community vibes

— There will be books available for purchase from featured and local poets, thank you for supporting our creative community and helping local artists thrive.

✨ Recurring Every Third Wednesday:

— Music starts at 6 PM

— Paid street and back lot parking available

— RSVP is a MUST to keep the flow*

Come early. Breathe deep. Stay late.Let your words bloom wild!

Follow us on Instagram for updates and monthly themes @wildbloompoetry

*RSVP Policy: All guests and poets must RSVP in advance so we can properly accommodate the space and logistics. If you RSVP and are no longer able to attend, please cancel your reservation as soon as possible to open the space for someone else. Your courtesy helps us keep this event intentional and accessible to all who wish to join.

🌼 How We Hold Space

We ask that all guests and performers honor this as a sacred space—one built on respect, deep listening, and shared vulnerability.

— Harmful language, hate speech, or slurs will not be tolerated.

— We encourage original work, spoken from the heart.

— Snaps, applause, and a listening presence are welcome.

Ryan Buynak is the most prolific poet you have never heard of, whose many books are visceral time machines of gratitude, comedy and philosophy. He is the host of the fun music podcast Bothering the Band in which he asks his favorite musicians only super silly questions. Ryan just successfully won a year-long battle with cancer, which of course he wrote a book about...that book is called DON'T EVER GIVE UP, which is out now and all the proceeds go to his mountain of medical bills.

We're thrilled to announce that our musical guest, Izzi Guzman, is now the resident musician of Wild Bloom Poetry.

Izzi is a dynamic trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator dedicated to sharing joy, creativity, and authenticity through music. Based in Miami and Orlando, FL, she brings stories to life through her art and fosters accessible, creativity-rooted music education for the next generation.

Learn more at izziguzman.com or follow her on Instagram @izzimakesmusic

🌸 Hi, I'm Stella Amador. I was a secret poet for most of my life.

Despite years of public speaking and a career spent building businesses from the ground up, sharing my poetry felt too personal. I wrote to process heartbreak, hope, and everything in between, but I kept those words to myself.

That changed three years ago when I made a quiet promise to show up. I began attending open mics across South Florida, searching for spaces where poetry, not performance, was the focus. Where vulnerability was met with presence. Where poems could breathe.

But nothing like that existed in Fort Lauderdale. So I created it.

Wild Bloom Poetry is one of the ways I bring my mission to life. Through my brand, Bloom by Stella, I create tools that support intentional living—from guided poetry experiences to the PLANT Your Life Planner, a reflection-based planner designed to help people live with clarity and purpose.

Whether you come to speak, listen, or simply feel something true, you're welcome here.

Because wild blooms weren't planted. We bloomed anyway.

Mic's open. Hope to see you there,

Stella Amador

Author, Poet, Speaker & Event Curator

Learn more at:

https://dot.cards/stella_amador

Nestled among the palms and blooms of a 1920s Las Olas garden estate, Emily's Garden is a restaurant like no other. Whether we're gathering inside the beautifully decorated historic dining room or beneath the stars in the lush garden, the setting transforms every gathering into a memory.

Our culinary bouquet features collaborations with local favorites like On the Run Coffee Bar, River Café, and Tacos El Machine Gon. In-house, we fire up Roman-style pizza from our outdoor Piaggio Ape Oven and serve charcuterie alongside a medley of steak and seafood entrées. The result? A rotating menu that's always inventive, fresh, and crave-worthy.

In addition to being the new home of Wild Bloom Poetry, we offer craft wine, local brews, and DJ sets during our lively weekend brunches. Unwind at our weekly happy hour, explore exclusive vintages with Emily's Wine Club, and join us for monthly events like garden yoga and open-air farmers markets.

Let your senses wander and your palate bloom at Emily's Garden, where every gathering grows into something special. Come sip, savor, and explore the garden. Learn more at Emily's Garden: https://linktr.ee/emilysgardenus