Poetry and Arts Festival Poetry and Arts Festival (April 02, 2004)

Public invited to tomorrow's arts show, poetry reading

Poetry is a spring tradition in Pleasanton. Some 80 people have signed up for the third annual Poetry and Arts Festival taking place tomorrow, plus organizers expect more at the events that are open to the public from 3-5:30 p.m. and need no reservations.

"It's a great place to mingle with people of similar interests," said Pleasanton Poet Laureate Kirk Ridgeway. "The networking feature is always of value."

A Fine Arts Show is scheduled from 3-5:30 p.m. There will be beverages, hors d'oeuvres, and music by the Con Moto flute ensemble as well as classical and Celtic melodies by K.C. Jiang. It's also a chance to learn more about plans for the new theater and public art gallery being planned for the old Railroad Avenue fire station downtown.

From 4:15-5 p.m. the Festival will hold a free poetry reading, featuring David Alpaugh, Robert Sward and William Minor. The Meet-the-Artists Reception, both literary and visual, and book signing is scheduled for 5-5:30 p.m.

Other workshops, which require prior registration, include: Ą Adult poetry, led by Sward and Minor; Ą Poetry publishing, led by publisher and poet Alpaugh; Ą Youth poetry, led by poet and educator Susan Wooldridge; Ą Youth visual arts workshop, led by Pleasanton artist Madelynn Ellis

More than $1,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winners of this year's poetry contest in the age categories of adults, 18 years and older; and youths in age groups 4-7, 8-10, 11-13 and 14-17. Awards will be presented at an evening banquet for workshop participants.

The third annual Poetry and Arts Festival is sponsored by the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council and the city, and is taking place at the CarrAmerica Conference Center, 4400 Rosewood Drive. For more information, call Charlene Villella at 931-5350. -Dolores Fox Ciardelli

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