Join Poetic People Power for the launch of their debut book! Special guest readings by poets Tara Bracco, Bogar Alonso, Shanelle Gabriel, and Natalia Vargas-Caba. Reserve your ticket today!
Poetic People Power: Three Spoken Word Shows for Social Change
Book Launch Event
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
7 PM – Free Reservations
For 20 years, the New York City-based spoken word group Poetic People Power has creatively explored social and political topics, offering insights and solutions to issues that affect our everyday lives and the world around us. This debut anthology invites readers to explore three of their shows about environmental heroes, women’s voices, and human rights abuses.
In today’s times of conflict and uncertainty, the poets featured in this book offer words of hope, connection, and possibility for a path forward. The anthology features work by writers Bogar Alonso, Suzen Baraka, Tara Bracco, Shanelle Gabriel, Philippe Javier Garcesto, Karla Jackson-Brewer, Angela Kariotis, Shane Michael Manieri, Shetal Shah, Natalia Vargas-Caba, Nabil Viñas, and Kesav Wable.
Founded in 2003 by Tara Bracco, Poetic People Power has long used the power of poetic storytelling to amplify diverse voices and demonstrate how artists can be agents of change. Poetic People Power is a microcosm of what art and activism looks like in New York City.
Art + Action = Change!
poeticpeoplepower.com
Book Club is the official bookseller for this launch event.
Praise for Poetic People Power:
“This powerful and nuanced collection of performative verse exemplifies Poetic People Power’s impactful use of literary forms to advance social change. The skilled craftsmanship and emotional heft of these works serve as potent reminders of spoken word’s transformative potential.”
—Daniel Gallant, former executive director, Nuyorican Poets Cafe
“This book is a revolution unto itself, a 20-year testament to unwavering dedication to poetry and activism, to looking at hard truths and demanding change. Every poem is a gem. Poetic People Power deserves high praises for this remarkable achievement.”
—Chantal Bilodeau, founding artistic director, Arts & Climate Initiative
“Poets have long used their words for resistance and as mouthpieces for social justice or political movements—José Marti, Julia de Burgos, Pablo Neruda, Gary Snyder, Walt Whitman, Audre Lorde come to mind. The poets in this book are heirs to this tradition—making known those who are unknown, using art to guide our understanding of what could be, and entrusting us with a call to action.”
—Elena Martínez, folklorist at City Lore, co-artistic director at Bronx Music Heritage Center
“Poetic People Power is a triumph! A testament to how poetry can anchor a calling, a movement. This anthology demonstrates the power of collective voices, how coupling poetry and performance can be in service of something larger than ourselves.”
—Deonna Kelli Sayed, chapter leader, PEN America North Carolina Piedmont Region
“This collection of imagery, metaphor and commitment to peace is a must read for thinking people. It reassures possibilities are endless.”
—reg e gaines, poet & Tony Award-nominated playwright
“Honoring a longstanding, ever growing, powerful tradition of ‘speaking truth to power’ and telling what must be shared, this work embodies the courage and beauty of poetry, spoken word, story committed and accountable to community, to justice, to change.”
—Kathy Engel, poet, author, associate arts professor at NYU’s Department of Art & Public Policy