World-renowned poet to participate in poetry, music, dance celebration

World-renowned and award-winning poet Nikki Giovanni will appear in the fifth annual Buffalo/Williamsville Poetry, Music, Dance Celebration.

The event, which has become a favorite among the literary and music community, showcases the work of student composers, musicians, dancers, and poets from Buffalo and Williamsville school districts, joined by members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and other local musicians.

Giovanni will kick off the celebration with a reading of selected poems. In addition, she will work with students who are performing and share personal inspirational anecdotes of her career.

The celebration will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at Kleinhans Music Hall, 71 Symphony Circle.

One of the most widely read American poets, Giovanni is also a commentator, activist, and educator. During the past 30 years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in person has brought the eyes of the world upon her.

Giovanni gained mainstream notoriety recently when she recited her poem, "We are Virginia Tech" at the university's memorial service honoring the students lost in last year's tragedy. In addition, she has written more than two dozen books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children's books and three collections of essays.

The recipient of more than 25

honorary degrees, she has been named Woman of the Year by Mademoiselle Magazine, The Ladies Home Journal, and Ebony Magazine. She was the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, has been awarded the Langston Hughes Medal for poetry and is known as one of Oprah's 25 Living Legends.

The Buffalo/Williamsville Poetry, Music, Dance Celebration celebrates diversity through various forms of art, bringing together students from more than 40 schools to create original works culminating in a free public performance.

This year's event has been moved to the main concert hall at Kleinhans due to the overwhelming success during the past four years. In addition, for the first time the event will feature student artists.

The celebration was founded in 2000 by Williamsville East High School teachers John Kryder and Stephen Shewan. In 2004, initial financial support was provided for the Buffalo/Williamsville collaboration by The Baird Foundation which was secured by Buffalo attorney and national developer John Giardino of Centerstone Development to celebrate diversity through art and to introduce children from different and diverse backgrounds to one another.

Poetry celebration

The fifth annual Buffalo/ Williamsville Poetry, Music, Dance Celebration will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6 at Kleinhans Music Hall, 71 Symphony Circle.