Rockport Poetry Festival is an annual festival offering a full day of events celebrating poetry and the spoken word.
Rockport Poetry Festival is an annual festival scheduling during April, National Poetry Month. It is a full day of events celebrating poetry and the spoken word. It features contemporary poets from Rockport, Cape Ann, the North Shore and internationally.
THE FESTIVAL
Visits from poet re-enactors. Past poets have included Ann Bradstreet, John Greenleaf Whittier, Emily Dickinson, and Robert Frost.
“Unexpected Poetry Tour” which offers short original poetry presentations of 10 minutes or less that "pop up" at shops and galleries on Bearskin Neck and throughout the town. You can get a map and follow the tour and get a map which lists consecutive times and places or simply be surprised in a shop or gallery where poetry simply appears unannounced!
Open Mics ~ Open Mics ~ Open Mics occur throughout the day. They feature Poet Laureates, local poets, regional poets, and international poets. There are forums for all poets, published or unpublished, award winners or new voices. All are welcome. Sign-ups are in advance to insure harmonious scheduling and that everyone's voice is heard. Weather permitting the festival opens with an outdoor reading at "Poets Corner" in Dock Square.
Poetry Contests include an Ekphrastic Poetry Contest in conjunction with The Rockport Art Association and Museum ~ a Paperless Poetry Contest for Children, an online contest in categories of primary/elementary/middle school/ high school ~ Virtual Verse, also an online & mailed submissions contest that is open to all poets. There are other contests that are unique to each year.
Documentaries and short films on poetic themes at the Little Art Cinema
A Poets Dinner at Brackett's Ocean View Restaurant
Closing Reception at Spiran Hall to mix and mingle with poets and presenters as well as other festival attendees.
