SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, the San Francisco Public Library, and Litquake announced today the San Francisco International Poetry Festival—Flor y Canto en el Barrio: A Celebration of Latino Poetry. The Festival will take place throughout San Francisco’s Mission District, July 24-26, 2008.
Translated to mean “Flower and Song in the Neighborhood,” the festival brings young, unpublished poets alongside authors such as two-time winner of the American Book Award, Alejandro Murguía, and San Francisco Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman for poetry readings, workshops, and a special exchange of culture and history.
“Flor y Canto is about the pursuit of peace through the celebration of poetry, art, culture, and friendship,” said the event’s curator and critically acclaimed poet Alejandro Murguía. “We want to bring together people from all walks of life to be part of this extraordinary event.” Murguía will be joined by other poets including, Alfredo Arteaga, Lorna Dee Cervantes, Tomás Riley, Leticia Hernandez, Roberto Vargas, Marc Pinate and many others.
“What we know is events such as Flor y Canto help bridge great divides,” said Donna Bero, Executive Director for the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. “People from across the city who would never strike up a conversation are talking at these festivals. We’re excited to continue the conversation by hosting Flor y Canto.”
Flor y Canto en el Barrio: A Celebration of Latino Poetry is presented in conjunction with the San Francisco International Poetry Festival. While the International Poetry Festival is a biennial event, in the interim years, Friends of the Library present smaller language poetry festivals, such as this year’s Latino Poetry Festival.
The first Latino poetry festival west of the Mississippi was held in 1973 at the University of Southern California, but it was not until 2006 that San Francisco first hosted this event.
“It started out as a small gathering with a few poetry readings in the Mission District,” said Murguía, “This year’s event will include several additional poetry readings, music, workshops, and other activities. It will still embrace the festival’s core purpose of poetry as a bridge of culture and community.”
The festival is made possible through the support of several Bay Area organizations and business, especially those located in the Mission District of San Francisco. In addition to the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Public Library, Litquake and 826 Valencia, local coffee shops and restaurants such as Philz Coffee, L’s Café, Casa Sanchez and many others will host readings and other events. “Since community is at the heart of this event it was important for us to gain the support of the local merchants and organizations,” said Bero.
The Festival will begin on Thursday, July 24 with a kick-off party at 6:00pm in Balmy Alley (24th St. between Harrison and Folsom) and a Lit Crawl of both established and emerging poets. The Lit Crawl will take place at over six different venues on 24th Street (between Mission and Bryant). Poetry readings and workshops for various ages and interests will continue throughout Friday and Saturday, July 25 and 26. For locations of the poetry crawl or for more details visit the Friends’ website at www.friendssfpl.org.
Friends of the San Francisco Public Library is a member-supported, non-profit organization that fundraises, advocates, and provides financial support for the San Francisco Public Library.
Flor y Canto en el Barrio: A Celebration of Latino Poetry
Featured Poets
* Lorna Dee Cervantes
* José Montoya
* Mamacoatl
* Roberto Vargas
* Jackie Mendez
* Alfredo Arteaga
* Nina Serrano
* Alejandro Murguía
* Cipactli
* Norman Zelaya
* Melissa Lozano
* Javier O Huerta
* Kim Shuck
* Francisco X Alarcon
* Victor Valle
* Naomi Quiñonez
* Marc Piñate
* Milta Ortiz
* Darren de Leon
* Las Manas Tres
* Alejandra Mojica
* Tomás Riley
* Barbara Jane Reyes
* Jack Hirschman
* Leticia Hernández
* Alfonso Texidor
* Catrióna Rueda Esquibel
* Jorge Argueta
* Janet J Cruz
* Adrian Arias
* Noelia Mendoza
* Walter Huracan Gomez
Schedule of Events for Flor y Canto en el Barrio: A Celebration of Latino Poetry
Below is a list of events that will take place during each day of the festival. Please note that each day includes multiple activities.
Thursday, July 24
Event 1: Festival kick-off party and Lit Crawl with young poets
6:00 pm; Balmy Alley, 24th St. between Harrison & Folsom; Lit Crawl locations include:
7:00 pm—“Other Voices/Many Americas”
Café La Boheme
3318 24th St.
(415) 643-0481
7:00 pm—“La Nueva Flor”
Philz Coffee
3101 24th St.
(415) 282-9155
7:00 pm—“El Corazon de la Misión”
Sundance Coffee
3000 24th St.
(415) 824-1706
8:00 pm—“Breaking Borders”
Accion Latina (El Tecolote Headquarters)
2958 24th St.
(415) 648-1045
8:00 pm—“Fuerza: From Sor Juana to the Mission”
L’s Café
2871 24th St.
8:00 pm—“Brave New Mundo – Cutting Edge of the 21st Century”
Galería de la Raza
2857 24th St. @ Bryant
(415) 826-8009
Event 2: Reception for young poets
9:00 pm; Casa Sanchez, 2778 24th St
Friday, July 25
Event 1: The Word From The Street (Tomas Riley of Youth Speaks hosts teen reading)
2:00 pm; Mission Branch Library, 300 Bartlett St. @ 24th St.
Event 2: Nuestra America I (Main Reading featuring six poets)
7:00 pm; Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St.
Saturday, July, 26
Event 1: The Word Made Perfect: The Art and Craft of Translation (Translation reading/workshop)
2:00 pm; Mission Branch Library, 300 Bartlett St. @ 24th St.
Event 2: Nuestra America II (Main Reading featuring six poets)
7:00 pm; Mission Cultural Center, 2868 Mission St.
Contacts
Friends of the San Francisco Public Library
Katie Ambellan, 415-626-7512 ext. 123
Katie@friendssfpl.org
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