NJ Poetry Festival to Proceed Virtually

While many stay at home, the Internet is still connecting New Jersey’s arts scene! The largest poetry festival in North America has announced their plans to go forward with an online event this fall.

Every other year, Newark, NJ plays host to the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, drawing poetry fans from across the country. However, the coronavirus crisis has made large gatherings inadvisable, with limits set on crowds across the US.

Like many festivals, concerts, and other major events, the organizers of the Geraldine Dodge Poetry Festival have decided the show can go on, online. In addition to keeping people safe, organizers hope the virtual approach could help to widen the festival’s reach.

“We see this as an opportunity to expand the Dodge Poetry Festival community, and provide greater access to contemporary poetry and poets,” said Festival Director Martin Farawell.

Normally held in Newark’s Downtown Arts neighborhood, the festival will now go public via live-stream. While the exact format of the event is still being worked out, it will be available to the general public. “Attendees” wishing for on-demand performances will be asked to pay a minimal fee.

The festival is set to begin October 22nd, and will likely run longer than planned. While originally meant to last only through October 25th, the virtual format means readings and other events will be streamed slowly over several days—or even weeks.

Organizers plan to donate money saved by not having a physical festival, particularly to LGBT+ groups, disability advocates, and other social justice organizations.

To learn more about the Festival and this year’s event, be sure to visit their website.

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Image courtesy of the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival.