The First Annual Jackson Heights Poetry Festival

to Take Place this May

The Most Culturally Diverse Neighborhood in the U.S. brings togetherCommunity Schools and Organizations to Promote

Diversity Appreciation through Poetry

From May 15-17, 2008, Jackson Heights will open its doors to both the local community and NYC at large to celebrate the cultural diversity of Queens and the poetic talent of its students.

The Jackson Heights Poetry Festival is a 3-day event involving workshops taught by professors and poets, a poetry slam, and a series of readings at an all-day outdoor-poetry-extravaganza.

Leading up to the festival, a poetry contest will be held in public and private middle and high schools throughout Queens for students in grades 6 – 12, and winners will be featured at the festival.

Events:

WORKSHOPS: Thursday May 15, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights NY, 11372

POETRY SLAM & OPEN MIC: Friday May 16, 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Restaurant and Lounge Novo 78-23 37th Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY

THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL: Saturday May 17, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Garden School 33-16 79th Street, Jackson Heights, NY

Noted Poets and Educators Taking Part in the JHPF Events:

Patrick Rosal, Jai Chakrabati, Richard Marotta, Lee Schlesinger, Michael Dumanis, Bill Zavatsky, and the first woman to be named the Poet Laureate of Queens, New York, Ishle Yi Park.

Sponsors/Organizers/Supporters:

New York Council for the Humanities

Jackson Heights Beautification Group

NYS Senator John D. Sabini

NYS Assemblyman José R. Peralta

NYC Councilman Hiram Monserrate

Dime Savings Bank

Marina Yoffe, Co-Founder/Director

Sarah Heinemann, Co-Founder/Director

Contact info: JHPFest@gmail.com or (347) 517-1506

Online Contest submissions are due by Tuesday, April 22, 2008. Finalists will be announced online May 1, 2008.

For more information, please visit www.jhpfest.org