FIRST ANNUAL JACKSON HEIGHTS POETRY FESTIVAL COMING THIS MAY

Alright, you've got less than a month to think of rhymes for '7 Train', 'alfajores', 'yogurberry' and 'thatwhistlerlady'...

The Most Culturally Diverse Neighborhood in the U.S. brings together Community 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 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, 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 Assemblyman José R. Peralta, Queens Assembly District #39.
Marina Yoffe, Co-Founder/Director
-Sarah Heinemann, Co-Founder/Director

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

For more information or to submit your work for Contest consideration, please visit www.jhpfest.org or contact us at jhpfest@gmail.com