2010 Albany Word Fest

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Albany Poets is proud to present the 2010 Albany Word Fest featuring the poetry, spoken word, and music of upstate New York.  This year’s event will take place on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the UAG Gallery (247 Lark Street, Albany).

The 2010 Albany Word Fest will start off on Friday evening with a very special Youth Open Mic at 5:00PM.  This is a chance for all of the young poets and performers of the area to share their work. All poets who wish to participate in this open mic can sign up at the gallery.

Mary Panza, Vice President of Albany Poets, says, “We are very excited to be back at the UAG for this year’s Word Fest.  We are really looking forward to the Youth Open Mic.  We feel this opens the Word Fest to the next generation of poets, performers, and spoken word artists.”

At 7:00PM, the 12-Hour Open Mic begins.  After the success of the first night long open mic last year, we have decided to do it again.  This open mic for poetry and spoken word will be held from 7:00PM – 7:00AM.

Thom Francis, Albany Poets President, adds, “This year we are celebrating the 9th anniversary of the Albany Word Fest.  We started out in 2001 with a handful of poets gathered in Thatcher Park.  Last year over 80 poets and spoken word artists got up to the mic at the UAG Gallery to share their work.  We are hoping for even more growth this year at our 12 Hour Open Mic.”

Poets who wish to participate in the open mic can sign up online by going to the Albany Word Fest website, www.albanywordfest.com.  Performers will also have a limited opportunity to sign up at the event itself.  Each poet will have 10 -15 minutes to share their work.  This year we will be featuring poets from Albany, Schenectady, Woodstock, Voorheesville, and other parts of the area. The open mic is open to all poets and spoken word artists with no style or content restrictions.  Admission is based on donation.

On Saturday at 8:00PM, day two of the 2010 Albany Word Fest brings the annual Psycho Cluster F*#k to the UAG Gallery featuring poetry, music and spoken word from Rebecca Schumejda, Nathan Graziano, The Johnnie Bravehearts, Murrow, Urban Guerilla Theater, and more.  Admission for this event is $5.00.  This event is open to all ages. 

The 2010 Albany Word Fest is sponsored by Albany Poets, Tess’ Lark Tavern, UAG Gallery, and the very generous donations of supporters of the arts in upstate New York.

Be sure to check www.albanywordfest.com often for more details on the 2010 ALBANY WORD FEST.