PRESS RELEASE
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PRODUCTION TEAM:
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Poet Laureate of Jersey City 2025 - 2026
​Founder / Creative Director /
Interdisciplinary Curator / Executive Producer
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Producer / Panel Curator / Editor /
Communications
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Production Manager / Sculpture Garden Curator / Financial Officer & Compliance Coordinator
Aurelia Luciano / Golden Light Poetry
Family Day / Co - organizer
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MORE HERE:
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Technical Director/ Equipment Manager /
Stage Crew Lead
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FESTIVAL WEEKEND TEAM:
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Photographer
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Master fo Ceremonies
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Signage - Decorative Artists
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SJ - Poet Liaison
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Stage Manager
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Thomas Banks
Carpenter - Signage Artists
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Elysa Santiago
Guest Services and Hospitality
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OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:
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Powered by The People & Philanthropists
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The Jersey City Poetry Festival / aka JCPOFEST
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Unlimited entry to all performances, panels, workshops, and special events for all three days. September 19, 20, and 21st
DAY 1 -NETWORKING
9/19
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Breakfast Launch Party / Press Conference /
Private Screening of Jonas Mekas Film Poems
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Venue: Mana Contemporary
Hosted by: JCPOFEST & Our Cultural Partner, Monira Foundation
10am -12pm
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VIP FESTIVE NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
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With a COSPLAY ELEMENT - at The Stork Club :
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7pm - 11pm
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NETWORKING TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
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*Creative attire and literary figure costumes are not mandatory but they are joyfully encouraged.- Let's have some fun! *
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An exclusive gathering for select voices in poetry, publishing, and the arts.
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Venue: The Stork Club - 2 Chapel Avenue - Jersey City, NJ 07305
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7pm - 11pm
This unique evening brings together creatives, visionaries, and art-lovers in an immersive celebration of poetic legacy and lyrical brilliance. As part of the evening's theme, we invite you to attend in bookish attire or dressed as a renowned poet or lyricist who has inspired you—be it Emily Dickinson, Tupac Shakur, Bob Dylan, Maya Angelou, or any artist whose words have left a mark on history. We also encourage each guest to bring a short piece—a poem, verse, or lyric—to read aloud, authored by the artist you embody. This shared experience will celebrate the timeless power of words and the diverse voices that continue to shape our cultural narrative. NOTE: * bookish or Literary figure costumes are NOT REQUIRED - come as you are and take in the vibes!
Line up:
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Jasmine de Leon
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Meyling Wong
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Brona Nielsen
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The Jersey City Cabaret : Hannah Lee and Lauren Kwei
Meet & Greet Special Guests:
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House Mother of Six 26 - Kimmy Sumony
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CanvanKerry Press : Marina Carreira and Danny Shot
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Luna Magazine
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Monira Foundation
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Art House Productions
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Friends of Liberty State Park
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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
Your VIP access includes:
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An exclusive networking lounge
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Passed Hors d’oeuvres
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Cash Bar - Signature Cocktails
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Participation in the Live Reading Circle (Limited to Those With Full Costume Who Arrive Early to Sign up)
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Prize for Best Boookish Costume
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An electric atmosphere enriched by poetry & art
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Creative ambiance
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The exchange of ideas
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Camaraderie
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Connections holding the potential for collaboration
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Celebration of creativity and community
DAY 2: SYNERGY
9/20
12-10 pm
SYNERGY : Immersive Interdisciplinary
- Poetic Experience:
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Venue: Museum of Jersey City History - 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ
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Poets and Artist Showcase - exploring the SYNERGY between the language arts, science, philosophy, technology and all forms of artistic expressions.
I. Buennaventura, Producer / Melida Rodas Executive Producer
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SYNERGY TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
HEADLINERS:
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Jeff Dess Poet and Master of Ceremonies
Public Speaker/ Author /Poet / Educator / Co-Founder of Trill or Not Trill
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Melida Rodas , Poet Laureate of Jersey 2025 - 2026
Educator / Interdisciplinary Curator / Executive Producer & Founder of JCPOFEST
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Rashad Wright Poet Laureate Emeritus
Author of Romeo’s Whiskey, 2X “Grand Slam Champion of Jersey City Slam”
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Poet / Film Maker / Dancer / Educator / Program Director for the MFA in Contemporary Theatre Performance at The New School
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Author / Poet / Journalist / Essay - New York Times, Editor - Luna Luna Magazine
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Award Winning International Violinist / Composer / Experimental Artist
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Tenor Saxophone / Bilingual - Multidisciplinary Artist / Visual Art / Music / Fusion Victor Sotomayor - Keyboard, Gabriel Balado - Bass, Chris Paredes - Drums
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MUSEUM TOURS AND EXHIBITIONS:
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Museum of Jersey City History / The Apple Tree House
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"Legendary Arenas and The Legends Who Performed There" - Curated by Peter Begans
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FILM POEMS :
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"Eye Write" - Curated by Melida Rodas
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Chinaza
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TYPEWRITER WORK SHOPS & POETRY:
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Qwert Poetry aka Pierce Logan - custom poems and workshops - explore analog writing technology.
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SCULPTURE GARDEN:
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"Grounded" - Curated by Tina Maneca
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ST. JOES - ENVIRONMENTALLY CONCIOUS - WEARABLE ART:
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Upcycled - Honoring the Legacy of Musical Lyricists
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ART EXHIBITIONS
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"Poetic Justice" - Curated by Yun Jung Rhee
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"Verse & Vision" - Curated by: Art for Everyone - Mariana Morete
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VENDORS Books & Community:
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ABAKE - BOOK & CAFE
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BLACK LIT PODCAST
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POUT - WORD ART
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JCPOFEST - POP UP SHOP
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​ORDER OF EVENTS
​​12:00 PM OPEN MIC SIGN UPS - * For Five People - Ticket Holders ONLY* - First Come First Served
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12:15 PM The WildStory Podcast Poets” Ann E. Wallace & Lynne Shapiro
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12:30 PM NJCU Poets & Writers: John T. Trigonis, Katherine Pagan, Isaael Sanchez,
Alyssa Lian Bacay, Bridget Benoit, Eric Cheng, Brother Nev
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1:00 PM followed by : OPEN MIC - Readings - Pre-Registered Ticket Holders - Online Form First Five Submissions.
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1:30 PM Transition + Break + Qwert Poetry aka Pierce Logan
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"Poetry to Move The People" Panel
1:45 PM “Poetry to Move The People” Panel Intros
2:00 PM LGBTQ - Panel Discussion
2:30 PM Final Q&A
2:45 PM Meet the Panel Poets, Book Sales & Signings​
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Curated by I. Buenaventura
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PANEL
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3:00 PM Break
3:15 PM Poetry in Motion - Dance Performance - Kim Ima & Chinaza
3:30 PM SJ , “One Mic Stand” - Performance
3:45 PM " I Am - Yo Soy" Bilingual Poetry - Ana Sofia Salazar - A. SAL, Sarah Ruilova
OPEN MIC - Final Readings - In Person 12pm Sign ups -
*Registered Ticket Holders
4:30 PM Break, Eat, Explore Exhibitions & Vendors + Qwert Poetry aka Pierce Logan
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Poetry Collectives - Poetry Readings ​​
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5:15 PM WAYE / WAYA Small Press - Vanessa Rosensweet & Gia Clark-Grillo
5:30 PM Cozy Open Mic - Cozy and SNC
5:45 PM Open Road Poetry Poeta Rubi G, Danny Shot and Crystal Davis
6:00 PM The {Poetry} Unfold - Buttered Roll, Jaden Gwynn and Danny Gonzalez
6:15 PM Hoboken Historical Museum- Vera Sirota and Joel Lewis
6:30 PM JC Writers - Andrew Revie, Samedi Exeleine and Theta Pavis
6:45 - 7:00 PM Break, Eat, Explore Exhibitions & Vendors + Qwert Poetry aka Pierce Logan
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Poet Laison: SJ
Stage Manager: Crystal Letters
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SYNERGY - Poetry & Multimedia Showcase
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7:00 PM Special Announcements & Recognitions
7:15 PM Jeff Dess – Master of Ceremonies
7:30 PM Rashad Wright, Poet Laureate Emeritus - Spoken Word + Music
7:45 PM Sofia Carrasco Iglesias - Poetic Jazz Fusion - Victor Sotomayor , Gabriel Balado, Chris Paredes
8:00 PM Melida Rodas, Poet Laureate 2025 - 2026 - Poetry + Multimedia
8:15 PM Cara Hagan, Poetic Movement
8:30 PM Le Fiddler, Strings Poem
8:45 PM 100 WORDS - "For The Earth" - Ensemble
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Scott Pleasants, Poet Laureate of Teaneck , NJ
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La Malcriada
9:00 PM Closing Remarks + Announcements - Community Party Begins!
9:45 PM Program Ends​
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POETRY & ART - MIX MEDIA - EXHIBITION
Saturday 12 pm - 10 PM
"VERSE AND VISION"
Curated by: Art for Everyone - Mariana Morete
A collaborative mosaic - community project - pairing poets & painters to create a unified work of art.
"Verse and Vision" - POETS:
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Daniella/Dani
Jay Maryeski
David Acosta “murdock”
Elena Aguilar
Ana Sofía Salazar (a. sal)
Exoercista
Ms. Jenn
Dani
Gabriella Sokol
Buttered Roll
ReylaAngela
Lina Munar Guevara
Alex V. Cruz
Hayley
Tj
Eva Estime
Iggy Manzanero
Reyla Ángela
Annielee Calamito
Danny Gonzalez
Kissarne Averill Pang
Cailtin Rose Munson
Rebecca Pinwei Tseng
Angela Suarez
Elias Ramos
Rachel Therres
Laura Duarte
"Verse and Vision" - ARTISTS:
Mercy
Thomas Banks
Ricardo Raphael
Athena Toledo “Flora”
Elena Aguilar
Susana Gómez
Erika Thangamani
Talia Benitez aka Ty
Marc Sokol
Buttered Roll
Amanda Estevez
Jessica Becker
María Lupianez
Artes De Pluma
Patch
Yvette Estime
Artistic Afro
Amanda Estevez
André Nicolas
Danny Gonzalez
Bethany Altschwager
Rayne Munson
Marianne DeAngelis
Vincent Zambrano
Sherly Fann
Eli Ramos
Eric Alter
Ariana Matos
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DAY 3 - FAMILY DAY​
9/21
12pm-3pm​
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Venue: Museum of Jersey City History - 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306
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Community-centered with youth performances, family-friendly activities, and surprises
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Produced by:
Aurelia Luciano / Golden Light Poetry & Melida Rodas
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FAMILY DAY TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!
Featuring:
Bi-Lingual Children's Book Author / CTV Personality, Host of Story Time With DLee
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City Kidz Playhouse - Award Winning
Book Adaptation Musical Performance
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Book Adaptations Musical Performance
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Author / Educator / Art Therapy Life Coach / Painter - Nature Inspired Art
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Teaching Artist - Intro to Music Books & Drum Circle
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Ivan & Tatiana Garcia
Children’s Manifestation Coloring Book
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Bookish Art​​
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Sophia Rosado - Award Winning
Teen Poet / Award Wining Dancer / Musician
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Community Partners:
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Educational Arts Team - Teen Arts Installations & "Ode's to The Wild" by Camp Liberty Youth
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Jersey City Public Library - Literature and The Joy of Literacy
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Jersey City Moms - Eco - Friendly Activities + Art + Surprises
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Jersey City Parks Coalition Parks - Eco - Friendly Activities
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Symposia Book Store - FREE - Previously Loved Books - Library
About:
JCPOFEST is a festival for The People, illuminating the tapestry of human connection that transcends the boundaries of individual studies and mediums. We celebrate the joy of literacy and literature!
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Established in 2024, JCPOFEST is not just a festival—it is a homecoming of voices, a gathering of questions, a place where poetry shakes hands with science, where philosophy sits beside technology, and where all art forms exist like a harmonious ecosystem. It is a celebration of who we are, where we wander, what we wonder, and how we shape the world around us.
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JCPOFEST is rooted in community, energized by innovation and inspires us to envision new ways of being together, of dreaming together. As part of the year round events leading to the festival weekend, multidisciplinary experiences invite us into a poem not just as readers, but as witnesses, as participants, as makers of sacred spaces that nurture collective imagination.
JCPOFEST doesn’t just speak—it listens.
JCPOFEST, in partnership with local writers, artists, organizations and local businesses, is a gift wrapped in hope, vision, and the urgent need to remind us about the mystery, fragility and majesty of our planet earth and those who inhabit it.
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At the heart of this vision is the festival's founder and creative director,
Melida Rodas, eco-poetry teacher and Jersey City’s Poet Laureate.
Her award wining, multimedia, body of work is equal parts elegy and call to action.
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