Season 12 Kickoff Celebration

Join us at the Malden Winter Festival to kickoff our twelfth season! As part of our culture of caring, everyone will be asked to wear a mask inside the venue and follow other health and COVID-19 safety precautions. Information on outdoor and indoor activities is below.

12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, our Season 12 book selection, will be available for purchase as well as a variety of companion books for young readers. They’ll make great holiday gifts! Other offerings include:

• Ancestor Approved – Intertribal Stories for Kids by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer
• Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
• For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjo
• Fry Bread by Kevin Noble Maillard
• Grandmother’s Dreamcatcher by Becky McCain
• And many more

12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Monkeyhouse and Clary & Cimermanis Little Free Library present a collaborative exhibit of five short poetry and dance videos that will be shown on the windows of the J Malden Center. Take a look as you walk by! Presenters include:

• Cassandre Charles, NACHMO performer
• Sarah Feinberg, Monkeyhouse choreographer
• Christopher Croucher, local independent choreographer
• Karen Krolak and Nicole Harris (collaborative animated piece)
• OnStageDance performance

To learn more about the Monkeyhouse video exhibit please visit their website.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

We invite you to listen to and participate in poetry readings and activities inspired by our companion books. Great for all ages.

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM

We’re hosting a poetry reading series to showcase some of the wonderful poets and artists from around Boston and the greater Boston area. Guest poets will give a brief reading of their work, followed by a short Q&A. Confirmed guests:

• Ed Meek – 1:00 PM
• Allison Adair – 1:30 PM
• Ava M. Fields – 2:00 PM
• Krikor Der Hohannesian – 2:30 PM
• Dennis Sweeney – 3:00 PM

Copies of their work will be available for purchase.

12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Explore your creativity through free poetry-related crafts that all ages can enjoy.

4:00 PM

Join the Clary & Cimermanis Little Free Library as we participate once again in Phil Kline’s “Unsilent Night,” a community sonic sculpture. We will begin at City Hall Plaza and locomote down the sidewalk as a group, reflecting on the poetics of places in Malden Center. Bring a music player — a phone, portable speaker, etc. You can download the music ahead of time or at the event. Wear some form of lights (glow sticks also provided), as we illuminate our path together! Be prepared to spend about 45 minutes moving around outside. Dogs are welcome! We will begin just after sundown. Like a great poem, you will want lots of layers when it gets chilly. Check out Unsilent Night website for info on this international annual event. or click below for local information.

Click Here for Info on the Procession

Hope to see you there!