InsideOut Literary Arts, one of the nation’s premier youth writing programs announced today that it will be hosting their second annual If the River Could Sing: A Celebration of Writing and River with InsideOut. The event will be held Thursday, September 14 from 6-9 p.m. along the picturesque Detroit Riverfront at Robert C. Valade Park. Admission is free and open to the public, thanks to the Poetry Foundation and InsideOut’s partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, who are helping lead the efforts to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to the community once again.
If the River Could Sing is an immersive evening of cultural arts, wellness, and conservation activities and performances, with the Detroit River serving as the backdrop and inspiration. The event will be hosted by spoken word artist LaShaun phoenix Moore and will feature creative activation points fit for the whole family that are influenced by the beauty and history of the waterfront.
“InsideOut Literary Arts is known for our work in schools and with students, but we are committed to creating community events that demystify poetry and engage new audiences,” says Suma Karaman Rosen, executive director. “If the River Could Sing is a beautiful and unforgettable evening that culminates with a sunset showcase of music and poetry.”
This year’s programming will feature the If the River Could Sing poetry contest, from which InsideOut seeks poems that celebrate and give voice to the Detroit River. Both youth and adults are eligible to participate. The winning poems will be printed as a letterpress broadside onsite by Signal-Return. In addition to having their work printed onsite, the winners will receive gift cards to a local bookstore, and the opportunity to read their poems during the event. The contest will be judged by Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer and Columbia University professor and poet Wendy S. Walters. Submissions are open now and are due by August 20 at 5 p.m.
“One of the things I most love about InsideOut Literary Arts is that we connect people to the power of their own, unique voices,” says Rosen. “Our annual public poetry contest gives everyone – both adults and youth – a unique opportunity to share their words with the broader community. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the power of self-expression.”
“I’m very excited to serve as a judge for InsideOut’s If the River Could Sing poetry contest,” said Comer. “InsideOut is an essential organization for Detroit’s poetry community. It advocates for literature and self-expression for all ages. The Detroit River has always been an important part of my life and my writing. I am a river girl. I can’t wait to read the many ways people write creatively about their connections to the river.”
In addition to their partnership with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and support from the Poetry Foundation, InsideOut Literary Arts received support from Henry Ford Health, Comcast, VVK PR + Creative, Decode Detroit, Ginosko Development Company, Plante Moran, PNC Bank, SMZ, Wells Advantage Group, ArborOakland Group, Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, and individual donors to make the event possible.
For more information on this year’s If the River Could Sing: A Celebration of Writing and River with InsideOut, visit insideout.org. Tickets are available now and can be secured at https://iftherivercouldsing2023.eventbrite.com.
To submit a poem for the 2023 youth poetry contest, visit forms.gle/LBrhvT8MzUya57xv9. To submit a poem for the 2023 adult poetry contest, visit forms.gle/z2S7BbbELFbTEaSu9.
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