Happy 4/20! Happy Carmen Electra’s birthday! Happy first truly warm weekend in what feels like whatever! Here’s how you’re spending these glorious 72 hours:
Youth Speaks Poetry Slam
Youth speaks — especially when the 16th Annual Teen Poetry Slam’s 500 semifinalists descend on the East Bay in a tournament-style competition. Event organizer and San Francisco nonprofit Youth Speaks, which launched the country’s first teen poetry slam in 1997, is dedicated to creating safe spaces for young folks to find, develop, and use their voices to effect positive change. Poets perform for about three minutes and are judged on quality of writing, poem content, and performance. All semifinals are free and open to the public. At The New Parish (579 18th St., Oakland) on Friday, Apr. 20, at 6 p.m., and The David Brower Center (2150 Allston Way, Berkeley) on Saturday, Apr. 21, at 7 p.m. YouthSpeaks.org — Alison Peters
