Register Now for Pleasanton's Poetry, Prose and Arts Festival

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Sixth Annual Event to Feature Workshops, Celebrity Appearances, Contests and More

Early registrations for The Sixth Annual Pleasanton Poetry, Prose and Arts Festival are being accepted until March 3, 2007. The festival will be held from 8:30 am until 7:00 pm on March 31 at the CarrAmerica Conference Center at 4400 Rosewood Drive in Hacienda. This year's event will feature workshops, poetry contests and celebrity appearances. By registering early for this popular event, participants of all ages will save on the fees, be able to enter poetry and prose contests and have first choice of festival workshops.

The event, sponsored by the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council (PCAC) and the City of Pleasanton Civic Arts division, offers adults, teens and children opportunities to explore their skills in writing and art. The workshops and writing contests are some of the most popular features of the festival, according to Kirk Ridgeway, former Pleasanton poet laureate and a festival coordinator.

"I have heard so many stories of the personal impact of these workshops on writers of all ages," says Ridgeway. "As I've watched the kids leaving the workshops and excitedly telling their parents about what they wrote and then turned to watch the adults come out of the workshops talking up a storm about what they just wrote, it is obvious that the workshops are the reason for their coming to the festival in the first place."

More than $1,000 in awards will be given to contest winners of various age categories. The evening awards banquet includes the reading of prize-winning poems and prose, presentation of cash awards and music by Flutes Con Moto. "The awards banquet is a real thrill for the winners," adds Ridgeway.

New to the festival this year is the addition of keynote speaker Al Young, California's poet laureate. Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Michael Chabon, who will also appear at the Amador Theater Saturday evening at 8:00 pm, will lead the afternoon session.

Festival participants may also choose to attend a reception and book signing, visit Literary Row to meet and mingle with local authors, attend a fine arts show presented by the Pleasanton Art League, and enjoy music by classical guitarist Jim Steinke, PhD.

"We encourage anyone who has even a mild interest or curiosity about writing to attend the workshops. Both novices and advanced writers routinely have come away affirming that their time and money was well spent. Besides, the day is just plain fun!"

Adult registration fee is $80 until March 3 and $95 after that date. Youth registration (ages 4-12 years) is $15 prior to March 3 and $20 after. Teen registration (ages 13-19 years) is $25. After March 3, the fee is $35. All poetry and prose contest entries must be submitted with early registration.

Early registrations and payments must be postmarked on or before March 3, 2007. Registration forms and information may be obtained from the Pleasanton Cultural Arts Council at www.pleasantonarts.org or by contacting Michelle Russo at (925) 931-5350 or mrusso@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.

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