Read February 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read March 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read April 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read May 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read June 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read July 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read Sept 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Read Oct 2002 Our Nuyorican Thing
Saludos Y’all
We will return to our Spanglish Notes, after a few columns on poetry, events, and the times we live in from our Nuyorican perspective.
I started writing these notes, on my way to “Muestra de la Poesia Nacional” sponsored by “Bienal de la Poesia”, in Puerto Rico towards the end of October. Bienal de la Poesia is an organization of Poets, Writers, Artists and members of various artistic groups, including graphic artist, promoters, professors under the direction Lcdo. Luis Antonio Rosario Quiles (BienaldelaPoesia@hotmail.com). The group calls itself Concilio, but I translate it as a Congress of Poets. It selects Poets to be honored on the basis of published work, referrals by fellow poets and interviews with the group, after which a Nomination is given, Located in Puerto Rico and dedicated to recognizing and promoting Puerto Rican Poetry and Poets (established and emerging) it sponsored events at various locations. Their main event was held at “Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico”, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct 26, 2002.
Twenty two (22) Poets, selected by Bienal as representatives of the 60’s and 70’s generation of writers, participated. 19 read in person, the others through prerecorded submissions. They represented a wide sampling of styles, thematic and structural, but it was straight poetry throughout, without the stage props, performances, dedications and or even introductory words. A name given, a sampling of poems (from 1 to 4, but equal time allocated, and observed!), to musical background provided by Eddie Figueroa, applause, pause and next. It was a joy to see so many poets that I have long admired, some that I have known personally for more years than we care to admit, and some that were somewhat known (by their fame), a couple of surprises and all in a syncopated, structured flow of Poetry that left us all awed, stunned. It was over too soon, but right on time to a roar of approval. And that was a “Muestra” or Sample.
And included in that list of Poets, Reverend Pedro Pietri, a Boricua, a Puerto Rican, a Nuyorican. Part of the National Poetry. As it should be. 21 read in Spanish, Pedro read in English, There was a reflex gasp, he read, and then a standing ovation from the audience that told him (and us), “you are part of us”. As it should be.
And then, another event, Poetry, Poets, some from the Bienal, some local, and Nuyoricans at The Nuyorican Cafe (no affiliation) in Old San Juan. What a treat, very friendly host & staff, nice place, and good poetry. And Mariposa was in town, sharing her performance with all of us. As we were leaving, our host, Juanra Gwen (marysol@compuserve.com) introduced himself to us, asking us to keep in touch, and to establish closer ties with us. Which we will.
While all this was enjoyable, it was the prospect of continued collaboration between the different groups, poets,and friends that make it all the more memorable.
The Muestra will be held every other year. As will the Bienal festivities. If I understood correctly, la Muestra emphasizes the Poets of a particular generation. The next generation to be honored will be the 1980’s. The Bienal events honor all the Poets and their poetry as a National Legacy. The next Bienal events will be held in Puerto Rico, starting Mar 1, 2003 (International Poetry Day) and ending sometime after Mar 21st .
Each event will be held every other year.
And we, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe will be participating at different levels with the Bienal, once all the necessary agreements are in place. One of our possible roles would be as conduit for identification of Poets in the USA who should be considered part of Puerto Rican Poetic Legacy. In addition we might be sponsors for poets who are directly affiliated with the Cafe to be represented as a “nuyorican” delegation, to events in Puerto Rico. And the possibility of organizing contacts for groups in New York that wish to participate under their own auspices. Other ideas being discussed include sponsoring “Bienal” and “Muestra” events in the mainland, and providing venues for the Poets on tour.
It was hard to leave all the poetry and friends behind, but the prospect of a continuing poetic dialogue makes it easier to look towards next year, while at the same time the memory of all this poetry and friendship, makes me say Thanks.
And while I am at it, have a safe, happy, peaceful season
Sam
In the Service of Poetry, Art and Community
We will return to our Spanglish Notes, after a few columns on poetry, events, and the times we live in from our Nuyorican perspective.
I started writing these notes, on my way to “Muestra de la Poesia Nacional” sponsored by “Bienal de la Poesia”, in Puerto Rico towards the end of October. Bienal de la Poesia is an organization of Poets, Writers, Artists and members of various artistic groups, including graphic artist, promoters, professors under the direction Lcdo. Luis Antonio Rosario Quiles (BienaldelaPoesia@hotmail.com). The group calls itself Concilio, but I translate it as a Congress of Poets. It selects Poets to be honored on the basis of published work, referrals by fellow poets and interviews with the group, after which a Nomination is given, Located in Puerto Rico and dedicated to recognizing and promoting Puerto Rican Poetry and Poets (established and emerging) it sponsored events at various locations. Their main event was held at “Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico”, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Oct 26, 2002.
Twenty two (22) Poets, selected by Bienal as representatives of the 60’s and 70’s generation of writers, participated. 19 read in person, the others through prerecorded submissions. They represented a wide sampling of styles, thematic and structural, but it was straight poetry throughout, without the stage props, performances, dedications and or even introductory words. A name given, a sampling of poems (from 1 to 4, but equal time allocated, and observed!), to musical background provided by Eddie Figueroa, applause, pause and next. It was a joy to see so many poets that I have long admired, some that I have known personally for more years than we care to admit, and some that were somewhat known (by their fame), a couple of surprises and all in a syncopated, structured flow of Poetry that left us all awed, stunned. It was over too soon, but right on time to a roar of approval. And that was a “Muestra” or Sample.
And included in that list of Poets, Reverend Pedro Pietri, a Boricua, a Puerto Rican, a Nuyorican. Part of the National Poetry. As it should be. 21 read in Spanish, Pedro read in English, There was a reflex gasp, he read, and then a standing ovation from the audience that told him (and us), “you are part of us”. As it should be.
And then, another event, Poetry, Poets, some from the Bienal, some local, and Nuyoricans at The Nuyorican Cafe (no affiliation) in Old San Juan. What a treat, very friendly host & staff, nice place, and good poetry. And Mariposa was in town, sharing her performance with all of us. As we were leaving, our host, Juanra Gwen (marysol@compuserve.com) introduced himself to us, asking us to keep in touch, and to establish closer ties with us. Which we will.
While all this was enjoyable, it was the prospect of continued collaboration between the different groups, poets,and friends that make it all the more memorable.
The Muestra will be held every other year. As will the Bienal festivities. If I understood correctly, la Muestra emphasizes the Poets of a particular generation. The next generation to be honored will be the 1980’s. The Bienal events honor all the Poets and their poetry as a National Legacy. The next Bienal events will be held in Puerto Rico, starting Mar 1, 2003 (International Poetry Day) and ending sometime after Mar 21st .
Each event will be held every other year.
And we, The Nuyorican Poets Cafe will be participating at different levels with the Bienal, once all the necessary agreements are in place. One of our possible roles would be as conduit for identification of Poets in the USA who should be considered part of Puerto Rican Poetic Legacy. In addition we might be sponsors for poets who are directly affiliated with the Cafe to be represented as a “nuyorican” delegation, to events in Puerto Rico. And the possibility of organizing contacts for groups in New York that wish to participate under their own auspices. Other ideas being discussed include sponsoring “Bienal” and “Muestra” events in the mainland, and providing venues for the Poets on tour.
It was hard to leave all the poetry and friends behind, but the prospect of a continuing poetic dialogue makes it easier to look towards next year, while at the same time the memory of all this poetry and friendship, makes me say Thanks.
And while I am at it, have a safe, happy, peaceful season
Sam
In the Service of Poetry, Art and Community