Newark Stories | Newark Arts Festival Edition: Meliq The Plant Poet
Every year since 2001, the Newark Arts Festival (f.k.a. Open Doors Festival) curates an impactful weekend showcasing the vibrant art and irreplaceable Newark artists, both native and nomadic, that strengthen the fiber of this city. Each year has a central theme and motif that connects the activated stages, galleries, and shops throughout Newark. This 3-day weekend overwhelms visitors and residents alike in the most artful way. There are poetry showcases in the middle of historic parks like Harriet Tubman Square, late-night stand-up comedy clubs, and soulful visual and performing arts scheduled every hour of the day for us to soak in.
This year's theme for the Newark Arts Festival was JOY. After a weather emergency caused NAF to postpone their closing ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 12th, the encore performances and unseen exhibits had their last moments yesterday around Downtown. All kinds of painters, woodworkers, mixed-media visual artists, and dynamic performing artists filled the downtown galleries and stages.
This feature profile is about Meliq the Plant Poet. Listen to our interview about their journey to Newark, their origins in the Caribbean Diaspora, and their performance in the Newark Arts Festival this year.
FOLLOW Meliq the Plant Poet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meliqaugust/
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