POETRY FEST PRESENTED AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
POETRY FEST PRESENTED AT CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Day Long Event Features Free Poetry Readings, Performances, Workshops & More
The Chicago Public Library celebrates National Poetry Month with its 13th Annual Poetry Fest, a fun-filled and entertaining festival of poetry readings, workshops, performances and discussions under one roof. The free event takes place on Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center, 400 South State Street.
Presented in partnership with the Poetry Foundation, join us for a day filled with fresh voices, unique perspectives and compelling artists. Featured events include:
Haiku Festival Awards Ceremony
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
10 a.m. – Noon
The 8th Annual Haiku Festival, hosted by poet Regina Baiocchi, encourages students ages 8 to 14 to write original poetry in the haiku form. Program includes award ceremony where the winning poets read their poems aloud and receive cash awards and other prizes. Program includes reading by guest poet Valerie Wallace, author of The Dictators’ Guide to Good Housekeeping.
Performance Skills for Poets with Jennifer Dotson
Video Theatre
10 -11:30 a.m.
Workshop provides poets with performance tips and tricks to improve public reading skills and take the fear out of performing poetry. Led by poet Jennifer Dodson, participants should bring one poem (no longer than 30 lines) for practice reading with the group. Ms. Dotson is the founder and program coordinator for Highland Park Poetry.
Personal Training for Poets: Mapping 10,000 Hours of Poetry with Andrea Witzke Slot
Multi-Purpose Room A
10:30 a.m. – Noon
This workshop led by Andrea Witzke Slot, editor at RHINO Poetry, is designed to help poets of all levels reflect on their writing styles, recognize obstacles, assess personal aims and ambitions, as well as create a personal training program for achieving realistic goals. In addition, the workshop explores the world of contemporary poetry and the best publication routes.
Teen Slam Team Showcase
Reception Hall
Noon -1 p.m.
Three of Chicago’s hottest teen slam poetry teams from The Center on Halsted, Northside College Prep and YOUmedia share the stage for this spoken word poetry event.
U.S. Postal Service 20th Century Poets Stamp Dedication and Poetry Reading
Video Theater
Noon – 1 p.m.
The U.S. Postal Service recognizes the enduring work and influence of ten major American poets with a local dedication of the “20th Century Poets” stamps. During this program Chicago Post Office employees will read selections from the ten featured poets including: Elizabeth Bishop, Joseph Brodsky, Gwendolyn Brooks, E. E. Cummings, Robert Hayden, Denise Levertov, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roethke, Wallace Stevens, and William Carlos Williams.
Inspiration from World Poetry
with Bakul Banerjee
Multi-Purpose Room A
12:30 -2 p.m.
During this two-part workshop, poet Bakul Banerjee experiments with writing short poems inspired by major world poets and discusses how to find many helpful poetry resources. During the second part of the workshop, Ms. Banerjee discusses some common Asian poetic forms that are becoming popular in the U.S.
To Publish, or Not To Publish: Page vs. Stage with Albert DeGenova
1-2 p.m.
Video Theatre
This discussion, led by poet Albert DeGenova, investigates the changing attitudes of contemporary poets regarding work written primarily for the purposes of performance and the relative merit of having those same works published, either in print or online.
Poetry Reading by Les Murray
Cindy Pritzker Auditorium
2-3 p.m.
The work of award-winning Australian poet Les Murray is deeply rooted in Australian history and landscape. He grew up on his grandparents’ farm in Bunyah, New South Wales, and returned there with his own family in 1985. Among his many collections are The Ilex Tree (with Geoff Lehmann), Dog Fox Field, Subhuman Redneck Poems, Freddy Neptune: A Novel in Verse, Learning Human, Conscious and Verbal, and Poems the Size of Photographs. His latest books, both released in 2011, are Taller When Prone: Poems and Killing the Black Dog: A Memoir of Depression. Co-Sponsored by The Poetry Foundation.
Reservations are recommended. You may reserve a seat for this reading at http://poetryfest2012.eventbrite.com/.
Calling All Chicago Poets: Open Mic
Reception Hall
3-4:30 p.m.
Check out the diversity and talent of Chicago’s poets and add your own voice to the mix. We will fit as many poets of all backgrounds and levels of experience as we can into this vibrant showcase.
The Open Mic is hosted by Dave Gecic who has run The Puddin’head Press, one of the oldest and most active poetry presses in the city, for over 25 years. You can find more information about The Puddin’head Press and see some of Dave’s poetry at www.pudddinheadpress.com.
The Chicago Public Library continues to encourage lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through materials, programs and cutting-edge technology.
The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to a rich collection of books, DVDs, audio books and music; the Internet and WiFi; newspapers and magazines; sophisticated research databases, many of which can be accessed from a home or office computer. Each location continues to serve as a cultural center, presenting the highest quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults.
For more information, please visit the website at chicagopubliclibrary.org or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.
Categorised as: News and Announcements, Off Campus Opportunities