Events – Upcoming/Recent
In October of 2023, Monique was asked to serve as the Fall 2023 Visiting Writer at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. During her residency, she visited the Humanities Division, where her writing was being taught in African American Literature and Creative Non-Fiction courses. The visit culminated in a reading and book signing at the Center For Arts & History, which showcases the work of local artists. Very special thanks to Professor Jennifer S. Anderson, Professor Marlowe Daley-Galeano, Jessica Evans, and ALL of the amazing editors at Talking River Review.
Award-winning writer and poetry author Ferrell to present on Oct. 10 at LC State’s CAH
In September of 2023, Monique was featured as part of the Finger Lakes Reading Series, curated by celebrated poet and novelist George Guida. The event was held at the MacFadden Coffee House & Art Space in Dansville, NY. This program marked Monique’s return to in-person readings, post Covid. The Dansville landscape is beyond beautiful—and so are the people. If you’re in the area, stop by the coffee house—you won’t be sorry.
Sponsored by The Paige Fraser Foundation and Bellevue Literary Review (BLR), Reading The Body: Poetry & Dance on Recovery uses the work of noted poets and celebrated dancers to explore the connections between dance, the spoken word, and healing.
The documentary film short began streaming in June of 2023. It has received rave reviews and honors from a multitude of international film festivals: Vienna International Film Awards (Austria), Kiez Berline Film Festival (Germany), New York Short Film Festival, TheaterLive Online Film Festival (America), Festival Fotogenia (Mexico), International Fine Arts Film Festival (Hollywood), Mignolo International Screendance Festival (America), Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (Canada), Exeter Dance International Film Festival (UK), Vesuvius International Film Fest (Italy), among other celebrated film festival venues.
Featured Poets: Anthony Aguero, Talia Bloch, Monique Ferrell, Nicholas Yingling
Dancers: Paige Fraser, Samantha Figgens, Jerron Herman, Joey Kipp
Composer: Darryl J. Hoffman
Narrator: Lynette R. Freeman
Panelists: Jessica Chen, Milica Zgaljic-Ramirez, Danielle Ofri, Editor-In Chief (BLR)
On October 5th 2020, New York Quarterly Review staged its grand reintroduction to the poetry community by holding its first ever virtual reading. The event featured poets Michael Montlack, Jenna Le, and Monique Ferrell. The event was hosted by poet Macauly Glynn.
400 Years of Inequality: Contributions From the Diaspora
December 6, 2019
On December 6, 2019, Carnegie Hall held its first annual 1619 event, 400 Years of Inequality: Contributions From the Diaspora. The event focused on the evolution of African American artists and artistry, featuring performances from violinist Lee England Jr; spoken word artist and poet Toni Blackmon; author, DJ, and Hip-Hop Scholar Dr. Todd Craig; poet and scholar Dr. Monique Ferrell; and, serving as the event moderator, author and scholar Dr. Lavelle Porter. The event featured artist presentations, a panel discussion, and was followed by the Jazz concert Songs From The Diaspora, featuring Terrance Blanchard and Jon Baptiste, among other distinguished and noted musicians and creative artists. The program was sponsored by Carnegie Hall, City University of New York (CUNY), City Tech, and CUNY ARTS.
A clip from Ferrell’s Carnegie Hall performance, featuring the title poem from her forthcoming collection, Dulce Reina En Fuego. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear her reference two of her favorite poets: Aurde Lorde and Nikki Giovanni.
The Slowdown, with American Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith – features “Stunt,” by Monique Ferrell
April 10, 2019
Podcast Link:
www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-slowdown/id1437839593?i=1000434581598
New York Times Article:
www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/arts/tracy-k-smith-poet-laureate-podcast-public-radio.html
Keystone and Lackawanna Colleges
April 2018
In April of 2018, Keystone and Lackawanna Colleges, in Pennsylvania, invited Monique Ferrell to their campuses. The visit began with Dr. Brian Fanelli’s African American Literature course at Lackawanna and culminated with a reading and book signing at Keystone, where Monique was featured as the guest writer for National Poetry Month.
Victoria Eremo, Editor of The Plume Literary Magazine at Keystone College, introduces Monique.
Monique reading “L’ho Provato Sulla Mia Pelle” (I have experienced that on my own skin) from her forthcoming poetry collection Dulce Reina en Fuego.
Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)
August 2017
In August of 2017, the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) held its annual
conference and recognized the awardees of its prizes in poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Among the
awardees was Ferrell, whose most recent collection, Attraversiamo, received the Honor Book Prize.
Critics are saying:
“For all its occasional harshness, this is the poetry we need to hear, need to read. Monique Ferrell writes with honesty and power. Strong words, strong images.”