Poetry NOW! : Festival of Poetry

Calendar of Events
    March
    April
    May

Poetry NOW! : Festival of Poetry

This powerful daylong event is sure to delight, entertain and inform aspiring and experienced writers, teachers, librarians and members of the public who are passionate about, or simply intrigued, by poetry and the written word. Some of our nation’s and region’s most dynamic poets will conduct free workshops, panels and live performances.

Featured poets include:

Carlos Cumpian
Richard Fammerèe
Krista Franklin
Cynthia Gallaher
Janice Harrington
Toni Asante Lightfoot
Erin Teegarden
Avery R. Young

Winners of the 2008 Poetry NOW! Poetry Writing Contest will also be on hand to share their award-winning works.To register for limited space workshops or to find out about CPDU/CEU credits call (708)524-6845 or email poetrynow@dom.edu.

Dominican University, Parmer Hall
7900 W. Division Street
River Forest , IL 60305

Contact Tracie Hall for more information:
(708) 524-6845 or thall@dom.edu

Saturday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Time	Program
9:00-9:30 am	Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:30-11:00 am	Opening Performance: Poetry Now: A Celebration of Music and Verse Richard Fammerée poet and performer The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the Middle School, High School, and College level Poetry NOW! Poetry writing contest take the stage along with acclaimed poet and performer, Richard Fammerée, and his band of accomplished musicians and poets.
11:00-11:15 am	BREAK
11:15-12:30 pm Concurrent Sessions	Versed on Verse: The Essential Poetry Primer Avery R. Young poet and author Toni Asante Lightfoot poet and author Two of Chicago’s most dynamic poets and poetry teachers lead participants through demonstrations and experimentation with various forms of poetry.
11:15-12:30 pm Concurrent Sessions	Say what? The Art of Teaching Poetry in the Classroom Joseph C. Heininger Dominican University This workshop offers teachers and librarians tips for fostering an interest in poetry and creative writing in students of all ages.
11:15-12:30 pm Concurrent Sessions	Just Add Water: Shaping Original Poems and Letting Your Poems Take Shape Krista Franklin poet, visual artist and educator Erin Teegarden Columbia College, poet and author In this fun and interactive session participants craft original poems and create collages inspired by them.
12:30-1:30 pm	Poetry Picnic: Lunch (on your own) and Open Mic Marcelis Wyatt poet and spoken word performer Wyatt hosts this open mic for Poetry NOW! participants. Share an original poem or two.
1:30-2:45 pm Concurrent Sessions	Imagining Poetry: Seeing and Hearing Poetry for the Uninitiated Janice Harrington poet, author and librarian The best poetry is often extra-sensory. This presentation looks at various poems and poets and discusses what makes them good.
1:30-2:45 pm Concurrent Sessions	Writing Workshop Carlos Cumpian poet and author Acclaimed poet and teacher Carlos Cumpian offers this poetry workshop for both new and experienced writers. *Limited seating.* Email poetrynow@dom.edu to pre-register.
1:30-2:45 pm Concurrent Sessions	Off the Shelf: Poetry Programming for Children and Young Adults Michael Leonard Dominican University This resource rich session offers teachers and librarians best practices and cool tips for bringing poetry to life in libraries and classrooms.
2:45-3:00 pm	BREAK
3:00-4:30 pm	The United States of Rhyme Carlos Cumpian Cynthia Gallaher Janice Harrington Avery R. Young Nationally acclaimed poets read from their works and talk about how their various geographic and cultural experiences have informed their works.