Governor’s Island Poetry Festival JULY 25th and 26th!!!

I was recently talking with a writer from Seattle named Anastacia Tolbert who blew my mind with her explosively thought-provoking poetics.

Before the reading, she asked me about places to see during her brief visit. I gave her a list and then she asked me, “how do you feel about living in New York?”

I said, “I love it and it frustrates me simultaneously.”

“What frustrates you?” she asked.

“That,” I say, pointing to a ginormous heap of garbage bags on the curb.

“But what I love,” I said, “is finding graffiti on buildings and the endless amount of museums. I love being queer in a city that so often celebrates it. I love the art and music. I love the pockets of magic (not so secretly) hidden in so many corners.”

***

And I LOVE Governor’s Island……this magical spot that can only be reached via ferry. With art and bike paths and food trucks and……POETRY.

Every summer, Governor’s Island houses an impressive poetry festival featuring reading series and the poets who frequent them. It is FREE and open. A place to listen, write, share, connect.

Find the The New York City Poetry Festival in the Colonel’s Row area of the island – it will be well-signposted from the ferry ($2 round trip, morning ferries free, takes 10 mins.)

Info and directions (Easy and fun!) http://newyorkcitypoetryfestival.com/general-info/info-faq/

This free two-day festival celebrates New York City’s vibrant poetry community. The event includes over 65 poetry organizations and 250 poets on its three main stages; a Vendor’s Village where local booksellers, artists and craft makers sell their wares; healthy and delicious food options; a beer garden sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery; poetry-inspired installation art throughout; the Ring of Daisies open mic; and, of course, the Children’s Festival at NYCPF!

It is Saturday and Sunday, July 25th and 26th from 11-5pm. I’ll be reading with Poetry Teachers NYC, great weather for MEDIA and the great reading series, Big Words!

I am excited to be reading BOTH days. Find me here:

Saturday: 

1pm @ Chumley’s Stage reading for Big Words!

4pm @ The White Horse Stage reading for great weather for MEDIA with Jon Sands and Corrina Bain

 

Sunday:

2:30pm @ The Chumley’s Stage reading for Poetry Teachers NYC w/ Megan DiBello, Dan Dissinger and Colin Clough