Événement

Poem-a-Rama: Poetry on the Wonder Wheel

Friday May 8, 2015
Event starts at 7pm
Coney Island // Wonder Wheel
West 12th Street

Parachute Literary Arts invites you to Poem-a-Rama, the first ever poetry reading on the landmark WONDER WHEEL. Come join Parachute Literary Arts for a remarkable evening of poetry, music and mingling with friends at the Wonder Wheel in Coney Island.

Readings with:
Penny Arcade & Amber Atiya & Kurt Boone & Michael Broder & Brenda Coultas & Ian Dreiblatt & Jen Fitzgerald & Tyehimba Jess & Matthea Harvey & Brenda IIjima & Amy King & Paul Blackburn & Wanda Phipps & Edwin Torres & Lucy Ives & a wandering Walt Whitman

& Patricia Spears Jones & Lynn Melnick & Teen Poets from Parachute Literary Arts' writing workshops on the ground

Soozie Hwang & the Relastics sing songs about Books (including Vonnegut)!

Poets will recite to you as you ride up in the landmark Wonder Wheel cars. Join a multifarious array of New York City's renowned poets along with teen poets from Parachute Literary Arts' poetry workshops in Coney Island for a surprising ride as the sun sets. Cash bar with beer from Coney Island Brewing Company and plenty of wonder to kick off the summer!

Deno's Wonder Wheel Park is convenient to the Stillwell Avenue stop, at the end of the D, F, N, and Q trains.
Please note: Entrance to this event will be on West 12th street off of Surf Ave.
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*The evening is a benefit for Parachute Literary Arts' poetry workshops and community poetry libraries in Coney Island. You can read some poetry from previous teen workshops at Teenage Fever. Click HERE

Can't make it to Poetry on the Wonder Wheel, but would still like to contribute to Parachute Literary Art's programs?
You can do so here.

***Enormous thanks to the Vourderis family at the Wonder Wheel for making this event possible. We appreciate their support of poetry, literacy and for truly making Coney Island a family run amusement area. ***

Some Statistics:

25% of New York City's population reads below the literacy level. Engaging people in creative writing and reading can significantly affect this percentage. Creative writing workshops offer particpants greater confidence, communication, and respect for oneself and one's surroundings.

Currently Parachute Literary Arts has a Poetry Library housed within the YWCA in Rachel Carson High School in Coney Island began after superstorm Sandy that consists of 150 new books.

We are looking for a home for our next library in Coney Island.

Parachute Literary Arts has facilitated 3 ongoing long term curriculum based poetry workshops, 6 short term intensive workshops, partnering with non-profits including the YWCA, NYCHA and the New York Aquarium offering paid work to poets. These have included: workshops for low-income adults, seniors, at-risk teenagers and children under 12.

Funds will be used for library set-up and maintenance, readings and workshops. This includes costs of signage, shelves, book plates and labels, printing informational packets about libraries. Funds will also be used to pay teaching artists and staffing fees in order to facilitate poetry workshops at locations where there are Parachute libraries.