( Added: April 7, 2008 ) - Artists Embassy is searching for poetry on any subject suitable for a general audience. We are seeking poetry of a lyrical nature that brings together the world's culture and thought. Over $1,000 in prize money will be awarded. Forty-three cash awards will be presented, and all winners will be invited to present their work at the California Palace of The Legion of Honor in San Francisco at the Fifteenth Annual Dancing Poetry festival. The tradition of poetry and dance performed together as a unified art form will also be honored at the event. Information and examples of past poetry winners may be seen on http://www.dancingpoetry.com .

"This annual search for the newest thoughts and expression though poetry is a compelling and exciting event for all the Artists Embassy poets, readers, judges and performers who have supported the concept since 1993, and the new entries are much anticipated," says poet Richard Angilly, co-founder of the festival.

Audience, poets and poetry performers are very interested to hear the current topics, styles, presentations and readings that are in the annual offering.

Along with their cash award and invitation to read their prize-winning poem at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor at the Dancing Poetry Festival, all prize winners will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a ticket to the Dancing Poetry Festival, which will be held on Sept. 27, 2008. Three Grand Prize winners will receive $100 each, plus their poems will be read to music, choreographed, costumed and danced by the Natica Angilly's Poetic Dance Theater Company, America's premier international poetic dance company. This company has been invited to represent poetry and dance as a unified art form on five continents at world poetry events. A videotape of each poet's reading as well as the poetic dance premier performance of the grand prize poems will also be presented to the three grand prize winners.

Five first prizes will receive $50, a free ticket to the festival, a certificate and an invitation to present the awarded poems.

Ten second prizes poems will receive $25,a free ticket to the festival, a certificate and an invitation to present the winning poem at the festival.

Twenty-five third prize winners will receive $10 each, a free ticket to the festival, a certificate and an invitation to present winning poems at this year's festival.

Sharing the occasion of the latest in poetic invention, hearing award-winning poetry from national and international poets on diverse subjects of interest and motivating new and creative poetic dances are the continuing heritage of the annual Dancing Poetry Festival, now celebrating its fifteenth year. Artists Embassy International is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to furthering understanding and good will through the universal language of the arts. Your written word entries are the driving artistry that propels this annual celebration of poetry and the arts.

Guidelines for poetry submissions: Poems should be no longer than 40 lines maximum. Please send two copies of each poem along with an entry fee of $5.00 for one poem or $10 for 3 poems, paid by check or money order. There is no limit on number of entries. Include your name, address, phone number and e-mail on one copy only (the anonymous copy goes to the judges). Poems must be in English or include English translation. Send poems and payment to: Judy Cheung, AEI Contest Chair, 704 Brigham Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

Please send poetry entries by the May 15 contest closing date. Artists Embassy International has produced, promoted and participated in international and national poetry interchange since 1951 and continues its dedication and outreach toward understanding and peace through the arts.