The Visual Arts Center of Richmond will host its second annual Poetry Fest this weekend, April 11 and 12, featuring free workshops, readings and performances. The event showcases Richmond’s literary community with former City Poet Laureate Roscoe Burnems hosting Saturday’s poetry slam.

Friday night’s “Wild at Heart” series at The Basement will feature current poet Laureate Joanna Lee among its performers.

The 7 p.m. program includes poetry, burlesque and music for adults.

Saturday’s main festival at VisArts begins at 11 a.m. with readings by students published in the new RVA Youth Voices anthology. The day continues with Drag Poetry Story Hour and a performance by interdisciplinary artist JJJJJerome Ellis. Burnems will host the 6 p.m. 1-2-3 Slam competition to conclude the event.

Other activities include screenprinting, clay and letterpress workshops connecting visual and literary arts. All stage events will include ASL interpretation. The festival requires registration for some workshops at visarts.org, though most events are open to walk-ins.