9/25-9/27 Weekend Program
The 2026 theme, “Viva! Joy as Resistance: A Journey of Radical Hope Through Art, Connection & Collective Imagination,” explores joy as an act of resilience and renewal.
NOTE:
Artist bios are featured through our IG social media platform.
This program is designed to provide a concise guide to
the weekend’s programming, participants, and schedule.
1
Day One
September 25
Networking
kick off Party
7pm-11pm
The Stork Club
2 Chapel Avenue, Jersey City
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Networking
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Interdisciplinary Performances
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Cosplay
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Dance Music
___________________
Line up
7:30 – 7:40 PM
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Jersey City Cabaret
7:40 – 7:55 PM
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Cat Doty
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Cozy
7:55 – 8:15 PM
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Forget the Whale
Opening musical set
8:20 – 8:25 PM
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I. Buenaventura, a.k.a Patrick
8:25 – 8:30 PM
8:30 - 8:35 PM
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Elisabet Velasquez
8:35 – 8:55 PM
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Women's Resistance Revival Chorus A joyful, inspiring set of protest songs celebrating resilience, hope, and community.
8:55 - 9:00 PM
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Alyssa Baccay
9:00 - 9:05 PM
9:05 - 9:10 PM
9:10 – 9:25 PM
9:25 PM – Close
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Leffidler
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House Band & Violinist
Includes an Open Mic connecting music, storytelling, and performance.
Networking opportunities with special guests:
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Dodge Poetry Festival / NJPAC
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Bowery Poetry
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3 Peas Productions
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Black Lit Podcast
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Color and Light Festival
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Trill or Not Trill
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"Soulmates as Verb" - Book Author, Dr. Kelz
2
Day two
September 26
SYNERGY
an interdisciplinary Exploration of Poetry
3pm-9pm
Monira Foundation
Mana Contemporary
888 Newark Ave, Jersey City
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Live Poetry Readings
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Interdisciplinary Performances
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Film Screenings
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book sales
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Cafe
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art
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Multimedia
3:00 - 8:00PM
Monira Cinema - Film Screenings
Films Curated by:
Patrick / I. Buenaventura
Wearable Art by:
Buttered Roll
Installation Artists:
Voyo Woo
Exhibition Technician:
Tina Maneca
Light Design & Installation Artists:
Melida Rodas
Line up
Open Mic &
Young Voices:
3:00 PM
Community Open Mic
3:30 PM - 3:45PM
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JCPOFEST Youth Poetry Ambassador - Ethan Rodriguez
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JCPOFEST Musical Theater Ambassador - Maya Rosalky and Aicha Ousman, Bayonne
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Project Write Now - Teens: Emalyn Donovan
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City Kidz Playhouse: Lana Oliver & Caleah Ragland
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Literature from "The Hudson Scholar" a student run magazine team.
Special Guests & Announcements:
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Kean University Student Poet Laureate: Ameenah McKiethen
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Jersey City Free Public Library: Jersey City Youth Poet Laureate Updates & Announcements
Literary Panel:
3:45PM - 4:45PM
Panel Curator: Patrick
I.Buennaventura
A panel featuring poets from three vital literary organizations:
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Cave Canem
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Kundiman
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CantoMundo
Including:
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Evie Shockley (Pulitzer Prize finalist)
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Purvi Shah
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Eduardo Martinez-Leyva
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Moderated by Kathy Kremins, CavenKerry Press
Local & Regional Poetry Groups:
3:45PM - 4:45pm
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Àbákẹ́ Books & Cafe / BLK Lit Podcast : TBD
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CavanKerry Press: Marina Carreira, a. adenike phillips, Cyn Grace Sylvie
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Reorienting Reads: Ashna Ali, Noah Arhm Choi, e.jin
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Jersey City Writers: Augie Catarella, DS Will, Anisha Jain
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Kean University: Ameenah McKiethen, Kyla Byris, Gianna Valdez
4:50 PM Featured Artist:
Chinaza Sol
5:00 PM Featured Artist:
Otto Vock
5:10 PM
Group Poets Round 1
5:35 PM Featured Artist:
K. Desiree Milwood
5:45 PM
Group Poets Round 2
6:10 PM
Featured Artist:
Tara Stafford Ocansey
6:20 PM
Group Poets Round 3
6:50 PM
Featured Artist:
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Theta Pavis
____________________
EVENING PROGRAM
7:00 PM
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Cara Hagan
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Melida Rodas
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Dr. Edvige Giunta
7:35 PM
Our Main Headliner:
Richard Blanco
8:05 PM
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Le Fiddler
8:15 PM
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Giselle Bellas
8:30 PM
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Book Signings
9:00 PM Program Ends
3
Day Three
September 27
Lazul:
an Eco-Centric Group Exhibition
&
Festival
Closing Party
2pm-5pm
Lazul
301 Westside Ave.
Jersey City, NJ 07305
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Art
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Live Music
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Poetry
_____________________________
Live Music by:
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Sofia Carrasco
& Victor Sotomayor
Poetry : La MalCriada
Participating Artists:
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Sofia Carrasco
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Mary Jean Canziani
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Nora Chavooshian
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Jennifer Krause Chapeau
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Isabelle Duverger
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Eileen Ferara
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Tatyana Kazakova
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Amy Rubinger
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Ray Schwartz
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Voyo Woo
Curated by: Tina Maneca
Exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world and sustainable futures through visual art.
JCPOFEST TEAM:
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Melida Rodas - Founder & Visionary I Poet Laureate of Jersey City
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Eugene O’Connell - Philanthropy Chair
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I. Buenaventura - Producer I Panel Curator I Film Curator
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Le Fiddler Entertainment - Production I Sound Technician
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Tina Maneca - Art Curator I Lazul
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Emilee Jane Rosalsky - Production Assistant
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Alyssa Lian Bacay - Volunteer Coordinator I Stage Manager
BOOK SELLER:
Abake Books & Cafe
HOSPITALITY & EVENT EXPERIENCE TEAM:
Holding space for connection, care, and belonging:
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Sarah Ruilova
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Myra Rivera Rodriguez
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Elyssa Santiago
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Nicolas Byers
ASL INTERPRETERS:
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Kia Imani
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Meagan Utsey
Made possible by those who believe in the power of poetry to spark innovation and unexpected encounters across generations, disciplines, and imagination—and to make room for wonder, whimsy, and joy.
We gratefully acknowledge Noreen Collins and The LeFrak Organization for helping to bring this vison to life .
Meet the other organizations and individuals who help make JCPOFEST possible:
Cultural &. Community Partners
Noreen Collins
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