PRESS RELEASE
JERSEY CITY, NJ — The Jersey City Poetry Festival (JCPOFEST) announces its second annual festival weekend, running September 25–27, 2026. Supported by a 2026 grant from the Jersey City Arts Trust Fund, the three-day, multi-venue festival brings together nationally recognized artists, local voices, and emerging talent across poetry, music, visual art, dance, film, and storytelling.
MORE THAN A 3 DAY POETRY FESTIVAL
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. Timed alongside the nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the festival invites audiences to explore justice, freedom, belonging, and happiness across generations and disciplines.
“I believe a humble poem and art can bridge the divide between strangers, that imagination is the light guiding us forward, and that joy & hope are radical acts of courage. To the people of Jersey City, the salt of the earth, and to every soul striving to keep faith alive: join us, and let us cross that bridge together.”
— Melida Rodas, JCPOFEST Founder & Jersey City Poet Laureate (2024–2026)
The festival's interdisciplinary mission is strengthened through partnerships with organizations including the Monira Foundation, whose collaborations with JCPOFEST have helped bring film, visual art, and poetry together in unexpected and imaginative ways. MONIRA FOUNDATION is located at - Mana Contemporary - 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306
DAY 1
Friday, September 25:
Kick-Off Party & VIP Networking Event
Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Location: The Stork Club
2 Chapel Avenue, Jersey City
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Highlights: An opening night designed to move audiences from reflection to collective celebration.
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Headlined by the: Resistance Revival Chorus (Grammys, Carnegie Hall, Apollo Theater), recording artist Meecah (Hamilton) and
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Le Fiddler - Award Winning Artist ( The Vatican & Foreigner's 50th Anniversary Tour - Vegas)
Featured Performers:
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Forget the Whale
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Jeff Dess
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The Jersey City Cabaret
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Patrick Roche
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Dr. Grisel Y. Acosta
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Gabriel Diego Hernandez
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Elisabet Velasquez
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Cat Doty
Includes an Open Mic connecting music, storytelling, and performance.
Headliners & Features
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DAY 2
Saturday, September 26
SYNERGY – An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Poetry
Time: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Monira Foundation
Address: Mana Contemporary
888 Newark Ave, Jersey City
Including Film Screenings at: Monira Cinema
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Main Headliner: Richard Blanco, the 5th U.S. Presidential Inaugural Poet and recipient of the 2023 National Humanities Medal.
Open Mic &
Young Voices:
3PM
Community Open Mic
followed by showcases from:
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Kean University Student Poet Laureate Ameenah McKiethen
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JCPOFEST Youth Ambassador - Ethan Rodriguez
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JCPOFEST Musical Theater Ambassador - Maya Rosalky
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Project Write Now - Teens
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City Kidz Playhouse
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and literature from "The Hudson Scholar" a student run magazine team.
Literary Panel:
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
Local & Regional Poetry Groups:
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Àbákẹ́ Books & Cafe / BLK Lit Podcast
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CavanKerry Press
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Reorienting Reads
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Jersey City Writers
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Kean University: Ameenah McKiethen, Kyla Byris, Gianna Valdez
Featured Performers:
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Giselle Bellas
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Tara Stafford Ocansey
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Le Fiddler
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Theta Pavis
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Cara Hagan
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Dr. Edvige Giunta
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Chinaza Sol
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K. Desireé Milwood
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Otto Vock
Book Seller:
Àbákẹ́ Books & Cafe
Special Guests:
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BLK Lit Podcast
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The Children's Environmental Literacy Foundation
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The Hudson Scholar Magazine
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The Jersey City Free Public Library
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The Jersey City Parks Coalition
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Project Write Now - Teens
- Featured Writers - Interdiciplinary Artists - Panel Group -
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DAY 3
Art, Ecology & Community
Sunday, September 27
and OnGoing
Highlights:
Lazul, an Eco-Centric Group Exhibition
Location:
Lazul
301 Westside Ave. Jersey City, NJ
Time:
TBD
Stay tuned for this announcement and participating artists!
Curated by: Tina Maneca
Exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world and sustainable futures through visual art.
The Pursuit of Happiness: group exhibition
Location: Museum of Jersey City History
Time: Museum Hours
Ongoing Exhibition (May – Nov.2026)
Accessible at the Museum of Jersey City History during regular museum hours throughout the festival season.
EXCAVATING DIAMONDS
JCPOFEST is growing into a new cultural tradition for Jersey City—one rooted in the belief that art can bring people closer, open new ways of seeing, and remind us of what we share. The festival's vision is to create an annual gathering where celebrated artists and emerging voices meet, where Jersey City's many communities see themselves reflected, and where each generation has something to discover and pass forward. As we often say, we are excavating diamonds—unearthing extraordinary artists whose work has flourished quietly, while celebrating the brilliant and magical beings already shining among us.
“In simple terms, JCPOFEST is where poetry meets music, dance, film, visual art, projection mapping, and immersive landscapes to champion social and climate justice. In reality, it is more than that. We connect our local community with incredible poets, artists, and performers from near and far for an experience that entertains, inspires, and expands one's world.”
— I. Buenaventura, Producer
PRAISE FOR JCPOFEST
“Such a beautiful and absolutely uniquely fabulous festival.” — Jersey City Moms
“A magical feat of creative genius!” — Laura Scholar, Board Member, Jersey City Parks Coalition
“Melida, your vision, passion, and collaborative spirit are such a gift to this community!” — Amy Elise, Jersey City Arts Council
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