By Susan R. Williamson, Director, 11th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival

The 11th Annual Palm Beach Poetry Festival returns January 19-24.

Tickets are on sale for evening readings and performances, interviews, afternoon talks, and a special dance-poetry event, Ballet’s Child, along with the Beloved and Influential Poems Panel moderated by P. Scott Cunningham featuring eight of America’s most engaging and award-winning poets: Chard deNiord, Linda Gregerson, Thomas Lux, Maurice Manning, Molly Peacock, Brenda Shaughnessy, Patricia Smith, and Robert Wrigley.

BALLET’s CHILD was created by choreographer Donna Murray, poet Lani Scozzari, and film maker Tiffany Rhynard. The poems tell the story of a young girl, age 7, who is told to “lose five pounds” at an audition where she stood in a line of girls in black and pink.

Through words and movement the journey of dysmorphia and complicated coping rituals unfolds in pursuit of technical artistry. This integration of poetry, film, and dance presented as live theatre makes Ballet’s Child captivating and emotionally compelling.

The poetry of Ballet’s Child is honest, at times dark, contrasting an otherwise beautiful, idealistic world of dance.

The collaboration began when two friends – one a poet, the other a dancer – explored the idea of developing previously written poems into a script for an evening-length contemporary dance work. What they did not expect was the audience’s highly emotional reaction to the story and the importance of the still relevant conversation on eating disorders which affect far too many people.

or phone: 561-243-7922, extension 1. Online ticket sales are subject to a $4 per ticket handling charge which does not go to the festival, but to the online sales service provider.

Admission: $15 general admission, $12 seniors, $10 students. Tickets to special Ballet’s Child Dance/Poetry Performance : $20 general admission, $15 seniors, $12 students To purchase tickets: book online, call 561-243-7922 or visit the Delray Beach Center for the Arts Box Office (Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach).