>“The Fat Man” Cometh
POETRY SINGS THE BLUES
Celebrating FATS DOMINO’s Birthday in Poetry and Song
February 25th @ 1 pm – 4 pm
RIDGEWOOD – Poets, musicians, a Southern-style chef, fans, and anyone else who’s interested or curious, will gather Saturday, February 25, at 1 p.m. at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church (271 Lincoln Avenue at West End Avenue) for “Poetry Sings the Blues.” The festival will celebrate the life and music of Fats Domino, the legendary rhythm and blues performer who shaped early rock and roll, upon his 84th birthday.
Further information on the participants:
James Gwyn of Clifton NJ, returning from his readings at last year’s Elvis tribute, is known for his “politically incorrect” poems and has written both poetry and fiction for many years. He won first prize in the 2008 Allen Ginsberg Poetry contest and has received five Pushcart prize nominations. His work has appeared in numerous anthologies and journals, among them “The Paterson Literary Review,” “Paterson: The Poet’s City,” “Poetry of Place,” “Lips,” and “Seventh Quarry: The Swansea Poetry Quarterly.”
Francesca Maximé is a poet and seasoned TV journalist who covered many major news events for stations in the Northeast. Since 2009 she has worked in New York City as an on-air host and reporter with WPIX-TV and WNYC radio. She is a graduate of Harvard University and did further study on poetry at SUNY Binghamton. Her poetry will be published in forthcoming editions of “New York Quarterly” and the literary journal “Lips.” Her book of poetry, “Rooted,” is forthcoming next fall from NYQ Books. www.talentapes.com/francescamaxime
Victoria Warne is the lead singer and guitarist for the band of the same name whose members include Steve Giordano (bass) and George Schaefer (drums). She has recorded two CDs as leader, “Live at the Savoy” and “Fluorescence,” an all-original collection that blends elements of blues, rock, and jazz in a unique style that is adventurous and passionate. Warne’s many collaborators have ranged from Spyro Gyra’s Julio Fernandez to jazz great Billy Eckstine. www.victoriawarne.com.
“Chef Jesse” (Jesse Jones) has conducted demonstrations and participated in cooking competitions all over New Jersey, with growing renown as a celebrity chef. A native of North Carolina, he ran the Heart & Soul Restaurant in South Orange till 2006 and now focuses on his own catering business, Chef Jesse Concepts. His passion for cooking was inspired by his mother and grandmother, followed by training at the Hudson Community College culinary arts program in Jersey City, further perfected under some of New Jersey’s top chefs. See “Chef Jesse Jones Catering” at www.facebook.com
