Celebrate National Poetry Month with the Poetry in the Park Open Mic! Hosts Thomas Fucaloro and Matthew Figueroa have teamed up with the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art at Snug Harbor to bring you a fun and memorable open mic inspired by the nature and historic architecture of Snug Harbor’s Shinbone Alley. Interested in performing?  Sign up when you check in on April 10 to share your writing, poems, and spoken word at the event, and bring your friends to enjoy the performances together.

WHEN: April 10, 2021 | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
WHERE: Shinbone Alley
ADMISSION: Free! Suggested donation $5 | Registration required 

Inclement weather date scheduled for Sunday, April 11, 2021 at 4:00 PM, with a back-up May 1, 2021 at 4:00 PM. A weather call will be made by 4:00 PM on Friday, April 9.

This event takes place outdoors. Advanced registration is required. Masks and social distancing are required for all participants. This event will adhere to city and state guidelines related to Covid-19.

Thomas Fucaloro is the author of two books of poetry published by Three Rooms Press, most recently It Starts from the Belly and Blooms, which received rave reviews. The winner of a performance grant from Staten Island Arts and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, he has been on three national slam teams. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the New School and is a cofounding editor of Great Weather for Media and NYSAI press. He is a writing coordinator at the Harlem Children’s Zone and lives in Staten Island.

Matthew Figueroa is a Staten based writer who has organized art & community events throughout the 5 boroughs. He is also a teaching artist who has partnered with schools to deliver workshops centered around mental health & creative expression. Matthew has released one full length collection of poetry–Adolescence.

As you enjoy Snug Harbor, please remember:

• Maintain a distance of 6+ feet away from other visitors whenever possible
• Wear a mask while on campus
• Practice good hygiene and sanitization
• Stay home if you are sick

Snug Harbor arts programming is made possible through generous support from the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, HumanitiesNY, The Francis J. Greenburger Foundation, The New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.