Treat your ears to the beautiful sounds of poetry this weekend in an equally beautiful setting. The annual New York City Poetry Festival takes over Nolan Park on the picturesque Governors Island on July 18 and 19. With more than 100 literary organizations participating, the festival is much more of an epic than a haiku. Along with readings from poets (such as Bridget Bell, Rebecca Hart Olander, and Indigo Moor), the festival includes visual art, an open mic, clowns, local vendors hawking literary-themed goods and a plethora of delicious food and drink.
Whether you're a poetry superfan or new to the genre, this all-ages festival promises to be accessible for all. It's free to attend, but be sure to register in advance; you can add a drink ticket or get VIP access.
New York is one of the world's great literary capitals, a city that's brimming with amazing reading series, book-signing events, literary festivals and storytelling shows (we think Gotham has the best Moth StorySLAM on the planet). Here's our roundup of the best literary events happening this week. Get busy, bookworms!