Pedro Jarquin

Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Pedro was born with poetry laced into his bloodstream. At an early age some of his family members began calling him “Darillito,” after the great Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío, due to his love of reading, reciting, and eventually writing poetry. He grew up in the Washington D.C. area and spent most of his life on stage, whether in choir, theatre, learning and teaching dance or performing poetry. Now a resident of the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, he has behind him a long list of accomplishments in the spoken word world, including opening up for Russel Simmons “Def Poetry Jam” at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, as well as planning, hosting, and or performing at various venues around the Tampa Bay area and beyond. Amongst many, he has done shows through Studio@620 in St. Petersburg, where he currently hosts a monthly poetry and mixed medium open mic a yearly two week long poetry festival called “Say What,” and where he has put together a few original spoken word plays; the Palladium Theater in downtown St. Pete where he has performed with various talented musicians including local jazz legends like Rick Gee or the Jeremy Carter Quartet; The city of Gulfport where he has put on a few shows, including an NoP talent showcase for Gecko Fest; the Safety Harbor Museum in Safety Harbor, FL, performing with various bands and DJ’s at Earth Dance for World Peace; the State Theater in St. Pete; 'Arts Alive,' a yearly arts festival in Mobile Alabama; several venues throughout the state of Colorado; and dozens of other collaborations with organizations like the Florida Humanities Council, WMNF 88.5 in Tampa, The Vitale Gallery, the Gala Corina, Third Eye Spoken, Black on Black Rhymes and a few different schools and Colleges, including Eckerd College, where he graduated with a BA in Creative Writing. Pedro is also the President as well as one of the founders of the Nation of Poetry, which he hopes will eventually cross state lines and spread further into the rest of the world.