Patti Smith, alongside poets Terrance Hayes and Elizabeth Acevedo, will participate in the upcoming Dodge Poetry Festival in Newark from October 15 to 17. This three-day event will feature 139 poets and 70 events, hosted at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and various locations in downtown Newark.
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Patti Smith, renowned for her influential album "Horses," is slated to perform on October 16 at 8 p.m. in NJPAC's Prudential Hall. Her work not only shaped punk music but also brought poetic expressions to the 1970s music scene, influencing many artists.
On October 17, alumni from HBO's "Def Poetry Jam" will gather for a special performance at 5 p.m. in NJPAC's Victoria Theater to honor Abiodun Oyewole, a founding member of The Last Poets. Participants in this reunion will include D.Cross, Kraal "Kayo" Charles, and Bonafide Rojas, with appearances from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The festival will also feature prominent poets such as Tyehimba Jess, Arthur Sze, Aja Monet, Jericho Brown, and Naomi Shihab Nye. A free family event is scheduled for October 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NJPAC's Chambers Plaza, offering poetry readings, face painting, and a children's obstacle course.
Later that day, filmmaker and author Nelson George will host "Do the Write Thing," a discussion and multimedia event at 8 p.m. Attendees can look forward to a pop-up bookstore and book signings throughout the festival. Tickets are available for one-day and three-day access, with separate tickets required for specific events.