“VOICES UNLEASHED” Young Poets Speak at MFAC

Published young poets and authors with Latino roots bring their voices to Milford Center for the Arts.  

A unique chance to learn what young voices are saying, while we drink something and nibble delicious appetizers by Chef Montes from New York’s Fancy Fork Caterers and member of that city’s Monitoring Youth through Poetry and Writing.  Host John “Chance” Acevedo, poet “and spoken word artist,” and founder of El Grito de Poetas, promises a range of talent. Come listen.  How else would you ever know about them? 

Flora “La Poeta” Montes is a Nuyorican (= Latina from NYC) whose works spring from her difficult childhood in the South Bronx.  She was the force behind events of Poetic Works & Xpressions, youth mentoring organization to develop literacy skills, academic excellence, and community leadership, co-produced Poetry-Open Mic shows at NYC’s Poet’s Café, and was named by Yahoo Content one of “Thirteen Most Influential Poets for 2010.” 

Peggy Robles-Alvarado, of Puerto Rican and Dominican parentage, has poetry on-line at Hunter College’s Center for Puerto Rican Studies.  With two Master’s degrees, she’s taught in ESL elementary and bilingual schools since 2001. This petite artist brings life to concepts of identity, sensuality and spirituality.

Thomas Fulacaro, author/editor at Uphook Press, is known as one of New York’s most powerful voices. 

Rob Vassilarkis, from a Salvadoran-Greek family in New York, works with “at risk” inner city youth, is a founding member of El Grito de Poetas (premier all-Latino poetry collective), and a recognized story teller, poem scriber and “weaver of dreams.”  He focuses on sexual identity and HIV/AIDs issues.

An exciting evening for $20/person, $10 for high school students, $15 for MFAC members!  Purchase tickets at the door.