FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Border Voices Poetry Fair Returns to SDSU April 24

CONTACT: Jack Webb
Director, Border Voices Poetry Fair
(619) 293-2239

FOR PICTURES, ILLUSTRATIONS, CONTACT: leslie.reilly@uniontrib.com

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, April 13, 2004 - Performances by "Alaska's fiddlin' poet" and best-selling Latina author Sandra Cisneros, as well as poems and art by students from around San Diego County, will be among the highlights of the 11th Annual Border Voices Poetry Fair on Saturday, April 24 at San Diego State University's Aztec Center.

The fair, presented by The San Diego Union-Tribune and SDSU, is free and open to the public. This year's theme is "Doorways to Vision."

"We have another outstanding program this year, including readings by world-renowned poet Adrienne Rich and Sandra Cisneros, one of the nation's most beloved Latina authors, plus poetry workshops, book signings, music and more," said Jack Webb, founder and director of Border Voices. "It will be an inspiring mix of activity for kids and adults alike."

Top poets at this year's fair include:

· Sandra Cisneros: Cisneros' 1984 best-seller, "The House on Mango Street," has sold more than 2 million copies. Her poetry, and her 2002 novel, "Caramelo," led The Miami Herald to proclaim her "the bard of the borderlands."

· Robert Creeley: Creeley, renown for his brilliant, nervous and humorous approach to poetry, has written more than 60 books of poetry during the last 50 years. His many honors include the Lannan Lifetime Achievement Award and the Frost Medal.

· Adrienne Rich: Rich, one of the pinnacles of modern American poetry, is taught in English and women's studies courses across the United States. She is considered one of the most eloquent, provocative voices on the politics of sexuality, race, language, power, and women's culture, and her many honors include the National Book Award.

· Ken Waldman: Waldman has drawn on his 17 years in Alaska to produce poems, stories and fiddle tunes that combine into a performance uniquely his own. Also known as "Alaska's Fiddling Poet,"Waldman has had more than 400 poems and stories published in national journals, and has performed at some of the country's leading clubs, bookstores, universities and arts festivals.

Here is the schedule for the Border Voices Poetry Fair:

8:30 a.m.- 9 a.m.: Registration for student readings; Ken Waldman performs in front of Aztec Center.

9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.: California Poets in the Schools honors "laureates in training."

9:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.: Winners in the Union-Tribune Border Voices bimonthly contest will be honored in Montezuma Hall; Marston Middle School students read poems.

10 a.m. - 11 a.m.: Student readings in various rooms at Aztec Center.

11:15 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.: Sandra Cisneros performs in Montezuma Hall and hands out awards to elementary school students. Book signing immediately afterward.

12:10 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.: Lunch break; poetry workshops by Ken Waldman (English) and Francisco Bustos (Spanish).

1 p.m. - 1:55 p.m.: Ken Waldman performs, hands out awards to middle school students.

2 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.: Robert Creeley performs, hands out awards to high school students.

3 p.m.: Special awards presented by the Greater San Diego Council of Teachers in English.

3:15 p.m. - 4:10 p.m.: Adrienne Rich reads her poetry.

4:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.: Question & Answer session on poetry.

4:45 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Pershing Middle School students read their poems.

5 p.m.: Book signings.
Border Voices parking is free in the university's Parking Structure 1 just east of College Avenue.

The Border Voices program is also featured on the county's Instructional TV program (channel 16 on Time Warner and Cox cable). There, viewers can see interviews and readings by poets who have appeared at past Border Voices fairs, including Billy Collins, Mexico City's Alberto Blanco, Dana Gioia, Ernesto Cardenal (in Spanish). W.S. Merwin, and others.

For more information about the fair, or about the Border Voices Poetry Project, call the Border Voices Hotline at 619-293-2546, or visit www.bordervoices.com.

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