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
JCPOFEST TEAM:
Melida Rodas - Founder & Visionary I Poet Laureate of Jersey City
Eugene O’Connell - Philanthropy Chair
I. Buenaventura - Producer I Panel Curator
Le Fiddler Entertainment - Production I Sound Technician
Tina Maneca - Art Curator I Lazul
Emilee Jane Rosalsky - Production Assistant
Alyssa Bacay - Volunteer Coordinator I Stage Manager
HOSPITALITY & EVENT EXPERIENCE TEAM:
Holding space for connection, care, and belonging.
Sarah Ruilova
Myrah Rivera Rodriguez
Elyssa Santiago
Nicolas Byers
Media Contact General Information :
Email: jcpofest@gmail.com
Website: www.jcpofest.org
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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I.Buenaventura
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Alyssa Bacay
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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
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Cozy
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
Headliners & Features
The Resistance Revival Chorus
TAP ARROW - FOR FULL LINE UP
Click photo for artist names
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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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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and 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
From : 3:45PM - 9PM
The Program Continues With The Following:
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, CavenKerry Press
Local & Regional Poetry Groups:
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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
Featured Poets:
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Dr. Edvige Giunta
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Theta Pavis
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K. Desireé Milwood
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Otto Vock
Featured Interdisciplinary
Artists:
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Le Fiddler
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Giselle Bellas
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Tara Stafford Ocansey
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Cara Hagan
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Chinaza Sol
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Buttered Roll
Our Main Headliner:
Richard Blanco
Our Book Seller & Cultural Partner
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
TAP ARROW - FOR FULL LINE UP
Click photo for artist names
Group Poets
DAY 3
Art, Ecology & Community
Sunday, September 27
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.
LAZUL ART EXHIBITION:
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The Pursuit of Happiness:
Group Art Show
As part of
"The Enduring Promise Exhibiition"
Location: Museum of Jersey City History
Address: 298 Academy St, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Wednesdays & Saturdays 1pm - 5pm
May – December 2026
Including, but not limited to, 9/25
Open to The General Public
On Going
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
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
Our Book
Seller
Cultural Partner & Official Bookseller
JCPOFEST is honored to welcome Àbákẹ́ Books & Café as our cultural partner and official bookseller. Named for founder Jacquees Peace Thomas’s oldest known ancestor, Àbákẹ́ carries a legacy of memory, resilience, and stories that refuse to disappear.
Throughout the festival, Àbákẹ́ will bring the work of our writers and artists from the page into the hands of our audience, including signed books by headliner Richard Blanco.
We believe books are vessels of memory—carrying voices across generations. In that spirit, Àbákẹ́ is a beautiful partner in our work of excavating diamonds and bringing extraordinary stories into the light.
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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