Old Capitol Books honors National Poetry Month with a two-day festival of readings.

Since 1996, April has been National Poetry Month. For the past five years, Old Capitol Books in Monterey has celebrated with the Monterey Poetry Festival. And even though shortened from four days to two, it still comes in strong.

This year, five poetry events and an after-party make up the proceedings.

“In the past, I just ran myself haggard,” says Stephanie Spoto, bookstore owner, festival organizer and college teacher. “And if I’m not having fun, I don’t want to do it.”

The festival starts with a non-thematic opening night event at the bookstore that can fit about 20 poetry lovers. It’s a gathering of local and regional poets. Readers include Chris Siders from L.A., who is coming back for the fifth year – “really talented, his stuff is musical, very resonant,” Spoto says – K.R. Morrison, with themes of the occult, then local poets Avery Burns, Ali Jones and Aideed Medina.

At 9pm, festivities move to the beach, where an open mic will be held by a bonfire. That’s the place one can debut with their poetry (after purchasing a moderately priced ticket).

The following day, Saturday, April 12, there are three events in the afternoon. A group of San Jose poets (Jonathan D. Gomez, Annie Abudiz, Albert Camacho, Peter Xiong and Azul) will present their works in a presentation called “Culture Counts.” At 6pm, “Nepotism” gathers poets of Old Capitol Books: Jeffrey Irwin, Heather Flescher, Alex Jimenez, Leslie Haynes Little, Pilar Graham and Brian Sheffield, now based in Brooklyn, who used to work at Old Capitol.

“We developed together as poets,” Spoto says about the group of poets that meet at the bookstore and write together. “We are very critical of each other.”

Sheffield is bringing along another Brooklyn poet, Chris Carr. The festival attracts other local poets. Elliot Ruchowitz-Roberts of the Tor House pops in sometimes. Monterey High School has a poetry club, and they’re going to join the festival at the open mic.

And it also crosses mediums: The after-party day two takes place at Pop & Hiss in Pacific Grove. “That day is also Independent Record Store Day,” Spoto says. “So we celebrate both.”

MONTEREY POETRY FESTIVAL begins 6pm Friday, April 11, followed by 9pm open mic on the beach (location disclosed after purchase). 2pm and 6pm Saturday, April 12; 9pm after-party at Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave, Pacific Grove for $1. All other events at Old Capitol Books, 482 Alvarado St., Monterey, $10. oldcapitolbooks.com.