The Boxcar Voices, a new spoken word and poetry group formed by UNA students Juliann Losey and Andy Thigpen, held its first event Friday, March 4 at the Route of Art Gallery on Court Street.

The group hopes to host an event the first Saturday of each month. Local writers, poets, singers and other performers are invited to share their work with students and members of the community. All types of performances are welcome.

“Hopefully we’ll have a little of everything,” said Losey. “I’d like to see some performance artists, slam poets, old-school storytellers and musical bards.”

The Boxcar Voices plan to host events at different locations in downtown Florence and eventually branch out to Sheffield and Tuscumbia.

According to Thigpen, the turnout was better than expected, but the group hopes to get the word out in order to build a loyal audience.

“I’d like to see a lot more students get involved,” said Thigpen. “Poetry is a good release, and college is a trying time. I think a lot of students need that catharsis.”

For more information, check out The Boxcar Voice’s Facebook page.