Poet slams Mountain Fair
If You Go …
Who: Poet Jessica Helen Lopez
Where: Carbondale Mountain Fair, Sopris Park, Carbondale
When: Friday, July 24, 5 p.m.; Saturday, July 25, 6 p.m.
How much: Free
More info: Mountain Fair will also host ‘Poetry Brothel’ performances on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 and 7 p.m.; http://www.carbonalearts.com
Jessica Helen Lopez, the poet laureate for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and poet-in-residence for the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, will perform at Carbondale Mountain Fair this weekend.
Lopez has been in the Roaring Fork Valley this week, leading workshops in Carbondale and performing in Aspen at Justice Snow’s.
The award-winning slam poet holds the title of 2012 and 2014 Women of the World City of ABQ Champion. She is a member of the Macondo Foundation. Founded by Sandra Cisneros, it is an association of socially engaged writers united to advance creativity, foster generosity and honor community. Her first collection of poetry, 2011’s “Always Messing With Them Boys,” made the Southwest Book of the Year reading list and also was awarded the Zia Book Award presented by NM Women Press. Her second collection of poetry, last year’s “C—t.Bomb.” is published by Swimming with Elephants Publication. Her third collection, “The Language of Bleeding: Poems for the International Poetry Festival, Nicaragua” is a limited release in honor of her ambassadorial visit to Granada, Nicaragua.
The poet will offer a spoken word blessing to open Mountain Fair at 5 p.m. today on the Gazebo Stage and will perform a selection of her works on the Oasis Stage Saturday at 6 p.m. followed by an open mic for local writers. Also on the poetry front, spoken word artist and activist Suzi Q Smith will perform on the main stage between musical sets throughout the weekend festival.
“I’m really excited about out growing spoken word participation,” said Amy Kimberly, director of the Carbondale Council on Arts and Humanities, which produces the annual festival.
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