VIPF 2012

Phew. Life's getting complicated all over again. The annual Valley International Poetry Festival kicks off tomorrow with an anthology release, which happens to include 3 of my poems! It is, by the way, available on Amazon. Here's the full schedule. See you punks tomorrow at the Incubator!

Celebrate National Poetry Month . . .
 . . . With a plethora of international poets!
Please note: the 2012 schedule is being added, but please check back for updates!
WHAT: "5th Annual Valley International Poetry Festival & "Sixth Annual Poetry Pachanga"
WHEN: April 26--29, 2012
WHERE: Click Here to see a list of 2012 venues across the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas
TIME: Event times will vary throughout the weekend.
FYI: All events will be free and open to the public, except where noted as private. Books, Chapbooks, CDs, T-shirts, etc., for sale. Please supportthe poets.
Contact: Daniel García Ordaz, Founder





  • Be part of the audience at readings in Mission, McAllen, Edinburg, Weslaco, Brownsville, San Benito, South Padre Island, in the Rio Grande Valley of deep South Texas!!
  • VIPF is the only known poetry festival with concurrent readings in two countries!

    ALL EVENTS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
    (unless otherwise noted)


    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (Please check www.vipf.org for updates on schedule. Poets listed are scheduled to appear, but may not be available as listed.)

    Free Admission
    Visit www.vipf.org/venues.html for addresses, contact information, and details about each venue/location listed below.
    THURSDAY, APR. 26, 2012
    *Word Poetry Jam (private event)
    Featuring Amalia Ortiz
    UT-Brownsville Student Union (La Sala)
    2 - 5 p.m.
    *Opening Reception/Anthology Release 7 to 9 p.m.
    McAllen Creative Incubator, 1001 16th St., McAllen
    Boundless 2012: The Official Anthology of the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival
    Note: Copies of Boundless 2012, the anthology of VIPF, available for $10.Perfect-bound; anthology includes poems by 40+ poets from across the U.S., Denmark, England, and Bangladesh. Wine and cheese reception and readings; merchandise available. Registered poets check-in.
    FRIDAY, APR. 27, 2012
    *Poets In The Schools
    Featuring Lady Mariposa, with Daniel Garcia Ordaz
    McAllen Memorial High School (private event)
    8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
    *Poets In The Schools
    Featuring 2012 Texas Poet Laureate Jan Seale
    Sci Tech/Med High High School (private event)

    *Poetry Slam Night Events Peace & Coffee: 2405 E. University Dr., Edinburg
    Hosts: Barrio Poet, Edward Vidaurre, Emmy Perez, and Daniel Garcia Ordaz
    6:30—11 p.m.
    Youth Poetry Slam Contest
    Open To All High School Students
    6:30 — 7 p.m.
    Intermission: 7 – 7:15 p.m.
    College/University Readings
    7:15 — 8:15 p.m.
    Intermission: 8:15 – 8:30 p.m.
    Featured Musician Set: Kim Snyder: 8:30 – 8:45 p.m.
    Featured Poet Reading: Lady Mariposa & Kim Snyder: 8:45 – 9 p.m.
    Adult Poetry Slam featuring HBO Def Poet Amalia Ortiz and
    Juan M. Perez, San Antonio Poets Ass'n. (SAPA) Poet Laureate 2011-2012
    9 – 10:30 p.m.

    Note: Peace & Coffee offers coffee, alcoholic beverages, hookah, and sandwiches.
    Slam Rules: www.vipf.org/slam.html


    SATURDAY, APR. 28, 2012 *Workshops: 9 to 10 a.m. Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
    WWorkshop by: Daniel García Ordaz, Founder, VIPF
    Topic: Creative Leaping/Creativity Exercises
    Savory Perks Coffee, 1000 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco
    Workshop by: Christopher Carmona, author of Beat
    Topic: Beat Poetry
    Sekula Library, 1906 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg
    Workshop by: ¡Vanessa Brown!, Founding Creative Director, VIPF/author of Twiffler (Heredado, 2012)
    Topic: Self-Publishing
    Jitterz Coffee Bar, 1625 Conway Ave., Mission
    Workshop by Carolyn Thorman
    Topic: Making It Shine: Polishing Your Work
    * Readings: 10 to 11:15 a.m.
    Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, 225 E. Stenger St., San Benito
    Hostess: Brenda Nettles Riojas, Founder, VIPF
    Readers: Amalia Ortiz, Julieta La Poeta, Arturo Saldaña, Kaitlin LaMoine Martin, Edward Vidaurre, Daniel García Ordaz, Linda Romero, Robin Cate, Beto Conde, Brenda Nettles Riojas,Chip Dameron, Eduardo Del Rio, Charlene Moskal, Rudy García
    Sekula Library, 1906 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg
    Hostess: Letty Leija and ¡Vanessa Brown!, Founding Creative Director, VIPF
    Readers: Juan M. Pérez, Oscar Peña, David Barcelona, Joanne Uppendahl, James (Grizzy) Griswold, Rachel Vela, ¡Vanessa Brown!
    Note: Café is open for drinks and there will be pan dulce available at reading site.
    Savory Perks Coffee, 1000 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco
    Hostess: Lina Suárez
    Readers: Lady Mariposa, lauren espinoza, La Erika/Poeta Power, Lina Suárez, Virginia Torres, Hector Gomez, Christopher Carmona, Chuck Taylor, Meliton Hinojosa, Erika Said Izaguirre
    Jitterz Coffee Bar, 1625 Conway Ave., Mission
    Host: Alan Oak
    Readers: Trev (The Rhymey Limey) Wainwright, Alan Oak, Laura Reagan-Porras, Yolanda López, Corey Mangan, Kelly Ann Ellis, John Milkereit, Carolyn Thorman
    *Lunchtime Readings: 11:45 a.m.—1:15 p.m.
    Carino’s Italian Restaurant, 421 E. Nolana Loop, McAllen
    Hostess: ¡Vanessa Brown!
    Readers: Juan M. Pérez, Oscar Peña, Trev (The Rhymey Limey) Wainwright, Alan Oak, Joanne Uppendahl, James (Grizzy) Griswold, Kelly Ann Ellis, John Milkereit, Yolanda López, Corey Mangan, Laura Reagan-Porras, Rachel Vela, ¡Vanessa Brown!, Carolyn Thorman, Sarah E. Williams
    Savory Perks Coffee, 1000 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco
    Hostess: Julieta La Poeta
    Readers: David Barcelona, Arturo Saldaña, Linda Romero, Shirley Rickett, Julieta La Poeta, Steve Vera, Shawn Elliot, Lamar Jones
    Note: Readings will begin here at 12 p.m. (noon).
    Galería 409, 409 E. 13th St., Brownsville
    Hosts: Mark & Betty Clark
    Readers: Amalia Ortiz, Rudy García, Kaitlin LaMoine Martin, Edward Vidaurre, Daniel García Ordaz, Diana Domínguez, Chip Dameron, Robin Cate, Brenda Nettles Riojas, Charlene Moskal, Beto Conde, Eduardo Del Rio, Gene Novogrodsky, Travis Whitehead
    Note: Bring a pot-luck to share.
    *1:15—2:15 Afternoon Delight
    Paragraphs On Padre, 5055 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island
    Hostess: Joni Montover
    Readers: Lady Mariposa, lauren espinoza, La Erika/Poeta Power, Lina Suárez, Rudy García, Virginia Torres, Hector Gomez, Meliton Hinojosa, Erika Said Izaguirre
    *1:30—2:30 Afternoon Delight
    Sekula Library, 1906 S. Closner Blvd., Edinburg
    Hosts: Letty Leija, Library Director/Alan Oak
    Readers: Trev Wainwright, Alan Oak, Christopher Carmona, Chuck Taylor, Shirley Rickett, Julieta La Poeta, Arturo Saldaña, Yolanda López, Laura Reagan-Porras, Katie Hoerth, Carolyn Thorman, Kelly Ann Ellis, John Milkereit, Corey Mangan
    *2:45—3:45 Afternoon Delight
    Paragraphs On Padre, 5055 Padre Blvd., South Padre Island, TX
    Hostess: Joni Montover
    Readers: Amalia Ortiz, Kaitlin LaMoine Martin, Edward Vidaurre, Daniel García Ordaz, Chip Dameron, Diana Domínguez, Brenda Nettles Riojas
    *3—4:30 Afternoon Delight
    Jitterz Coffee Bar, 1625 Conway Ave., Mission, TX
    Host: Gabe de la Garza, ¡Vanessa Brown!
    Readers: Juan M. Pérez, Linda Romero, Shirley Rickett, Shawn Elliot, Lamar Jones, Steve Vera, Rachel Vela, ¡Vanessa Brown!, David Barcelona, Katie Hoerth


    Sixth Annual POETRY PACHANGA--the event that started it all in 2007!!! *6—7 p.m.
    Private Dinner—Registered Poets & Guests (one of the only private events)
    McAllen Creative Incubator, 1001 16th St., McAllen, TX
    ($10 per guest—pre-pay by Apr. 27 with Brenda Nettles Riojas)
    *7—7:45 p.m.
    Music by Shawn Elliot and Lamar Jones McAllen Creative Incubator, 1001 16th St., McAllen, TX
    Note: Doors open to the public at 6:45 p.m. A security guard will be hired to watch cars.
    *7:45—10:30 p.m.
    Sixth Annual Poetry Pachanga Readings McAllen Creative Incubator, 1001 16th St., McAllen, TX
    Welcome: Brenda Nettles Riojas and Daniel García Ordaz, Founders and ¡Vanessa Brown!, Creative Director
    Featured Poets: 2012 Texas Poet Laureate Jan Seale, Amalia Ortiz, Lady Mariposa, Oscar Peña, Juan M. Pérez, Trevor Wainwright
    Note: After featured readers, registered poets will read one 1-minute poem each, then return for Open Mic.
    Registered Poets: ¡Vanessa Brown! * David Barcelona * Christopher Carmona * Robin Cate * Beto Conde * Julieta Corpus * Chip Dameron * Eduardo Del Rio * Diana Domínguez * Shawn Elliot * Kelly Ann Ellis * Lauren Espinoza * Rudy García * Daniel García Ordaz * Erika Garza-Johnson * Hector Gomez * James Griswold Meliton Hinojosa * Katherine Hoerth * Erika Said Izaguirre * Lamar Jones * Yolanda López * Corey Mangan * Kaitlin LaMoine Martin * John Milkereit * Charlene Moskal * Brenda Nettles Riojas * Gene Novogrodsky * Alan Oak * Laura Reagan-Porras * Shirley Rickett * Linda Romero * Arturo Saldaña * Lina Suárez Chuck Taylor * Carolyn Thorman * Virginia Torres *Joanne M. Uppendahl * Rachel Vela * Joe Steve Vera * Edward Vidaurre * Travis Whitehead * Sarah E. Williams


    SUNDAY, APRIL 29 Dr. Gloria E. Anzaldúa Readings (Hargill) Meet @ 10 a.m. at UT-Pan American Bookstore parking lot; depart at 10:05 a.m. to Gloria Anzaldúa burial site at Valle de Paz cemetery in Hargill. Readings onsite. Lunch afterwards @ Casa Blanca in Raymondville. Cash-only buffet.
    Hostess: Lina Suárez
    Note: Contact Daniel at rgvipf@hotmail.com to RSVP
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