Poets in the Park is celebrating over 35 years of bringing poetry to the Robert Burns statue in Washington Park, Albany, NY. The series was started in 1989 by the late Tom Nattell and is now run by Albany poet and photographer Dan Wilcox. This year, the readings will be on Saturdays, July 12, 19, and 26. The readings start at 7:00 PM & are free & open to the public; donations are accepted. In the case of rain, the reading will be held at the Social Justice Center, 33 Central Ave., Albany.
The 2025 readers are:
- July 12: Albany High School winners of the Tom Nattell Peace Poetry Prize & An Open Mic Tribute to Tom Nattell on the 20th Anniversary of his passing on to the Open Mic of the Sky
- July 19: David Graham & Alyssa Michelle
- July 26: Jessica Femiani & JTDAPOET
The Robert Burns statue is located near where Henry Johnson Blvd. passes through Washington Park and crosses Hudson Ave. Please bring your own chairs or blankets to sit on. This program is sponsored & funded by The Poetry Motel Foundation & the Hudson Valley Writers Guild.
For more information about this event contact Dan Wilcox, email at [email protected] or call 518-482-0262.
About the poets:
The 2025 Albany High School winners of the Tom Nattell Peace Poetry Prize are Matilda Gish & Rose Madden. Depending upon availability they will either read their winning poems, or they will be read by Dan Wilcox.
Tom Nattell died in January 2005. Writers & any other members of the community are invited to read one of Tom’s poems, or one of their own, or say a few words about Tom.
David Graham has published seven collections of poems, most recently The Honey of Earth from Terrapin Books. Today he calls himself a retired teacher and un-retired poet, and more information can be found at www.davidgrahampoet.com
Alyssa Michelle is a mother, poet, self-published author and content creator. Her poetic themes include the lessons she’s learned throughout life, her experiences as a single mother, self-empowerment, and romance.
Jessica Femiani has found a home in poetry. Her long poem The American Gun was published by Finishing Line Press in 2024.
JTDAPoet (Joshua Ward) is an aspiring (& inspiring) spoken word poet/writer who reads frequently out at poetry open mics in Albany, NY
