Later this month Atlanta, Georgia will be host to the Second annual 2005 Southern Poetry Conference. The poetry conference is scheduled to take place on the weekend of April 15th through April 17th. Registration, participation and attendance to the conference is free and open to the public. You can register at anytime before or during the conference. However, advance registration online is encouraged, and as the Conference puts it "deeply appreciated". By doing so, participants allow the conference to make the necessary preparations to accommodate those attending the events.The Southern Poetry Conference is a poetry celebration for the whole family. Participants are encouraged to bring their children along to partake in the various separate activities including workshops, storytelling and contests. Adults must accompany children under the age of 13. There will be an open registration available for the premier children's contest; a children's slam competition. Eligible participants must be individuals less than 18 years of age, and must have three pieces no longer than three minutes each. By the way, let's keep it clean kids, and leave those explicit lyrics found in your Ludacris album at home. There will be several events for the grown folks, including an Auburn After-hours Spoken Word celebration. The event will be hosted by HBO Def Poet Bonnie and opened by HBO Def Poet Faona., and will feature Goode Stuff Entertainment Artists: HBO Def Poet Jon Goode, HBO Def Poet Malik Salaam, HBO Def Poet Amir Sulaiman, and Laffapalooza's Own Spinxx.For any further questions, contact Tiffany Goode.tiffany@goodestuffentertainment.com770-833-0799AGENDA OF EVENTSFriday, April 15th, 20056:30PM-7:30PM: Registration7:30PM-8:00PM: Introduction and Kick-Off8:00PM-10:00PM: Panel Discussion: "Poetic Voices: Can You Hear Me?"10:00PM-11:30PM: The Revival of U-N-I-Verse (The Five Spot) Saturday, April 16th, 200510:00AM-12:00PM: Morning Workshops ‡ Poetry 101-Presented by HBO Def Poet Amir Sulaiman ‡ How to Get Paid in Full and Become Almost Famous - Presented by Maurice Henderson - Director - National Black Arts Festival Spoken Word Tour. ( featuring: Maliek Philpot of the Punany Poets, Queen - Spoken Word Recording Artist, Cocktail of the Live Poets Society, Bo Ellis feature artist in the Film "WORD: The Definition of Poetry and Cali Starks Spoken Word Recording Artist of Second Born Son ‡ Writing/Performance 101 (Youth Seminar)12:00PM-1:00PM: Break and a Meal sponsored by Javaology1:00PM-3:00PM: Afternoon Workshops ‡ Publishing 101(presented by Underground Epics Publishing) ‡ How to Run An Affective Spoken Word Company/Event Presented by the "Live Poets Society"‡ Writing/Performance 101 (Youth Seminar)3:00PM-5:00PM "Give Me Feedback"5:00PM-7:00PM "From Afros to Shelltoes" Edward Garnes, Alice Lovelace, Sugar Johnson, Jessica Care Moore, Kiera7:00PM-9:30PM: Goode Stuff Publishing Presents its First Poetry Anthology "What Your Eyes Caint See" – APEX Museum10PM-Until: The 2004 Atlanta Def Poets featuring Jon Goode, Malik Salaam, Amir Sulaiman, Tommy Bottoms, Faona, Abyss, Goldie, Ratsack, Jessica Care Moore:Afrikan Djeli, 840 Ralph D. Abernathy - across from West End Mall Sunday, April 17th, 2005(Wrap-Up Reception/Youth Day/Honoring Ceremony)2:00PM-4:00PM: Youth Showcase4:00PM-6:00PM: Wrap-Up Reception, Honor Ceremony, & Closing9:30PM – Until: Free Forum Exchange at the Apache Café sponsored by The Mighty I am * Youth Seminar (Ages 8-17) General Seminars (All Ages)