Beyond Words
(Released: 8 September 2006)

At the Barnes & Noble/Astor Place reading, ASC’s powerhouse poets are joined by guest reader Edwin Torres (back row, far left), ASC Deputy Executive Director Brenda Starks-Ross (front row, center), and Barnes and Noble staffer Carolyn Hughs (front row, far right).
With verse exploring life with HIV/AIDS, recovery from substance abuse, and many other issues, ten poets from ASC's acclaimed Creative Writing Workshop wowed an appreciative audience at the Barnes & Noble/Astor Place Summertime Poetry Reading in July. The poets read from the latest issue of ASC's literary magazine, Situations.

"It was an exhilarating reading," says ASC's Deputy Director Brenda Starks-Ross, who MC'd the event. "Every emotion expressed in the poems was intensely felt by the audience and the therapeutic power of poetry was there for all to see."

Guest poet Edwin Torres, author of several poetry collections, opened the event. Throughout the four-day Bookfair, ASC outreach staff were present at the Astor Place store to raise awareness of ASC's services. The agency was also the recipient of a generous portion of the proceeds from book sales at the store.

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