POETRY NEWS: February 2010 Listings of readings and performances in the Poetry News only include events in the greater DC area (covering roughly the same area that the METRO public transit system covers), although we include a larger geographic region for listings of Competitions, Grants, Calls for Entries, Workshops, and Special Events (covering all of DC, MD, VA, WV, and DE). To get listed in the Beltway Poetry News, please send an email with full information (including a phone number) any time during the month prior for readings and new releases, and up to two months prior for Calls for Entries and Special Events. We try to be as complete and accurate as possible; listing here does not constitute an endorsement, nor can we be responsible for changes and additions made after the first of the month. Please check with sponsors to confirm the accuracy of listings. Send your news to beltway.poetry@juno.com.   NEW RELEASES Grace Cavalieri, Sounds Like Something I Would Say (Goss 183: Casa Menendez) Perry Epes, Nothing Happened (The Word Works) Daniel Gutstein, non/fiction (Edge Books) Dehejia Maat, Deep Rooted Soul Sista Poems (CreateSpace) Reetika Vazirani, Radha Says (Drunken Boat Books) JMWW, Winter 2010, Jen Michaelski, editor. Contributors include: Clarinda Harriss, Lalita Noronha, Gregg Mosson, Emily Peterson. http://jmww.150m.com/ COMPETITIONS, GRANTS and CALLS FOR ENTRY Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Three prizes of $3,500 each given annually for books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year by a writer who was born in or is a resident of Virginia (or, in the case of nonfiction, books with a Virginia theme). Submit 3 copies of book published in 2009. No entry fee. Deadline: Feb. 5. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/litawards/index.htm. Patrick Henry Fellowship at the C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience at Washington College, Chestrown, MD. Given annually to a nonfiction writer (can include creative nonfiction) working on a book that addresses the history of legacy of the American Revolution and the nation's founding ideas. Fellowship recipient gets $45,000, teaches a one-semester undergraduate seminar, gives one public lecture. Submit writing sample of 25 to 50 pages, project description, cv, and 3 references. Deadline: Feb. 15. http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/fellows/index.php. Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Open to poets over age 21 who are US residents and not enrolled as students. Some record of publication is desireable. Term of residence is late August through mid-December 2010. Mail application with vitae, 3 recommendations, and writing sample (up to 10 pages). Postmark deadline: Feb. 20. http://www.bucknell.edu/x3756.xml. DC Commission on the Arts, Small Projects Mini-Grants, Deadline Feb. 24. http://dcarts.dc.gov. Tidal Basin Review seeks submissions for their inaugural Spring e-issue. Send previously unpublished work in English: 3-5 poems (no more than 5 pages), one short story, one novel excerpt, or one creative nonfiction piece (up to 2500 words). Deadline: Feb. 28. http://www.tidalbasinpress.org/. The Word Works Washington Prize. Given annually to a US or Canadian poet for a poetry collection of 48 to 64 pages. Prize of $1,500 and publication. $25 entry fee. Submit between Jan. 15 and March 1. http://www.wordworksdc.com. Plan B Press 2010 chapbook contest, judged by Barbara Crooker. Winner gets publication, 50 copies, and $250. Mss. must by between 28 and 32 pages, sent in paper form in "blind" format with cover sheet. Must include table of contents, with SASE (no mss. returned). $15 reading fee. Deadline: March 1. Plan B Press, PO Box 4067, Alexandria, VA 22303. http://www.planbpress.com/contestnew.html. Apprentice House Chapbook Award, sponsored by Loyola University, Baltimore. Contest for authors who have not previously published a book. Winner gets $250 and 25 copies. Submit up to 30 pages of poetry with $25 reading fee. Deadline: March 15. http://www.apprenticehouse.com/resources. The Joaquin Miller Cabin Summer Reading Series seeks poets. Readings are sponsored by The Word Works and take place in Rock Creek Park on Tuesday evenings in June and July. A small honorarium is offered. Open to poets who have not read in the series in the past four years. To apply, send 5 poems, a one-paragraph bio, and a letter-sized SASE. Postmark deadline: March 31. Rosemary Winslow, Dept. of English, Catholic University, DC 20064. Passager Contest for writers over 50. First prize: $300, honorable mentions published. Send 5 poems of up to 35 lines each. Include bio, SASE for results. $20 fee includes 1-year subscription. Deadline: April 1. http://passagerpress.com.     WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS "Call + Response," an exhibit pairing 16 writers and 16 visual artists. Through Feb. 13, Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U St. NW, historic U Street neighborhood, DC. Participants include: William John Bert, Dan Brady, Sean Carman,Wade Fletcher, Jen Girdish, Eleanor Graves, Joe Hall, Matt Klam, Gerald Maa, Danika Stegeman. http://www.callandresponsedc.org/ The DC Chapter of the Women's National Book Assn. hosts a panel discussion, "Book Reviews in a Changing World," featuring Rachel Shea and Ron Charles of the Washington Post. Tuesday, Feb. 2, 6:30 pm. $10 Admission. Charles Sumner School, 17th & M Streets NW, DC. RSVP: wnbaeventsdc@gmail.com. Hurston/Wright 3-Day Writers' Workshop, March 5-7, on the campus of Howard University, DC. Three concurrent master workshops in Poetry (led by A. Van Jordan), Novel (Mat Johnson), and Nonfiction essay (A'Lelia Bundles). Fees charged. Applications deadline: Feb. 5. http://www.hurstonwright.org. Free films with literary themes at the National Gallery of Art throughout the month: "Henry V" on Feb. 7 at 4:30 (the Kenneth Branagh version of 1989); and a celebration of Chekhov adaptations by Russian filmmakers, "The Lady with the Dog" on Feb. 6 at 2:30, and "Chekhovian Motifs" on Feb. 13 at 12:30. http://www.nga.gov Black History Month Festival, February 13, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Gala Hispanic Theater. Featuring performances by Marijo Moore, E. Ethelbert Miller, and Dolores Kendrick, plus dramatic readings by local actors. http://www.nbm.org. Workshop: "Everything is Translation: Poetry That Breaks Boundaries," led by Kathy Engel, Saturday, February 20, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. $25 fee; some scholarships available. Writing exercises and discussion about "fear and censorship that gets in the way of telling our stories..." No experience necessary; first come, first served. Sponsored by Split This Rock. Institute for Policy Studies, 1112 16th St. NW, DC. RSVP to browning@splitthisrock.org. 13th Annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, February 20, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, MD. Speakers, workshops, panels on poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and publishing. Presenters include: John Elsberg, Richard Peabody, Sue Ellen Thompson, Anne Agnes Colwell, Ellen Wise, Kate Blackwell, William O'Sullivan, Jamie Brown. Fees charged. http://www.baytoocean.com/ "Poetry by the Fire" with Ron Weber, Niles Cabin, Friends Wilderness Center, in the SE corner of the Eastern Panhandle of WV. Saturday, Feb 27, 10:00 am. Bring nature poems (your own or by others) to share. Come early for a self-guided hike in the woods and bring a bag lunch if you wish. $10 suggested donation. RSVP to Sheila Bach at (304) 728-4820. http://www.friendswilderness.org. "I Want to Write" workshop and retreat, led by Marita Golden. Feb. 27 and 28. Fee: $299. Held in Prince George's County, MD. http://maritagolden.com/wanttowrite.html. "Write in the Middle of Winter" retreat, March 4-7, Herrington Manor State Park, Oakland, MD. Writing, reading, critiquing, information on publishing. Poetry workshop led by Gerry LaFemina; fiction led by Merrill Feitell. $200 fee through Jan. 15 ($250 thereafter). Accommodations in cabins extra. http://www.citylitproject.org/index.cfm?page=news&newsid=42. Capturing Fire: The Queer Spoken Word Summit and Slam, March 7-9, various locations in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, DC. Performances, workshops, panels. Fees charged. http://www.3wordproductions.com/ Split This Rock Poetry Festival, March 10-13, various locations in the U Street neighborhood, DC. Readings, panels, workshops, films, book fair. Featured readers include: Chris Abani, Lillian Allen, Sinan Antoon, Francisco Aragon, Jan Beatty, Martha Collins, Cornelius Eady, Martin Espada, Andrea Gibson, Allison Hedge Coke, Natalie Illum, Fady Joudah, Toni Asante Lightfoot, Richard McCann, Jeffrey McDaniel, Lenelle Moise, Nancy Morejon, Mark Nowak, Wang Ping, Patricia Smith, Arthur Sze, Quincy Troupe, Bruce Weigl. Panelists include: Kim Roberts, Scott Hightower, Joseph Ross, Reginald Harris, Heather Davis, Yael Flusberg, and many others. A Beltway Poetry Tenth Anniversary Reading (March 11 at 2:00 pm) will feature former guest editors Naomi Ayala, Andrea Carter Brown, Sarah Browning, Regie Cabico, and Toni Asante Lightfoot. Fees charged. http://www.splitthisrock.org. "Writing the Future" Conference, March 20, 8:00 to 5:00 pm, The Writers Center, Bethesda, MD. Focus on "technological advancements affecting the ways information is delivered to readers, how the content itself will change, and what writers will need to know to remain relevant in the second decade of the 21st Century--and beyond." Panels and speakers. Participants include: Sandra Beasley, Carolyn Forche, Lee Gutkind, Richard Nash. Fee: $90 (includes one-year subscription to Creative Nonfiction and one-year membership to The Writers Center). http://tiny.cc/dn4VZ. Dzanc National Workshop Day in DC, March 20, 1:00 - 5:00 pm, led by Barrelhouse editors Dan Brady, Dave Housely, and Mike Ingram, with Laura Ellen Scott, and Reb Livingston. Four-hour workshop with craft lectures and in-class writing exercises. Open to writers of poetry and fiction of all levels and experience. Held at the Wonderland Ballroom, 2nd floor, 1101 Kenyon St. NW, DC. $50 fee. http://www.dzancbooks.org/dzancday/#DC. 10th National Black Writers' Conference, March 25-28, Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn. Panels, Roundtables, "Talkshops," readings and storytelling. Participants include Breena Clarke, Edwige Danticat, James McBride, Jewell Parker Rhodes, Kalamu ya Salaam, Colson Whitehead. Honorees include Toni Morrison, Amiri Baraka, Kamau Braithwaite. Fees charged. http://www.aalbc.com.       AREA READINGS and PERFORMANCES February 1 Cafe Muse: Greg Pardlo and Ed Skoog Monday, 7:00 pm Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. (301) 656-2797. February 1 "The Weary Blues": Recreating the 1958 Collaboration between Langston Hughes and Charles Mingus. Sponsored by Holly Bass Performance Projects and Washington Musica Viva, featuring Holly Bass with musicians Herman Burney, Lenny Robinson, Chris Ryal, Steve Herberman, Carl Banner, and Charley Gerard Monday, 8:00 pm $18 Admission ($15 for students/seniors/artists; children under 10 free with adult). Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St. NW (at V St.), DC. Ticket reservations: (301) 891-6844. February 4 Hunter Gillezeau, followed by open mic Thursday, 9:00 pm $1 Admission. ECAC, 733 Euclid St. NW, 2nd floor, Pleasant Plains neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-2285. February 5 Plan B Press presents "The Poetry Lab," featuring Mary Ann Larkin and Patric Pepper Friday, 8:00 pm Free. The Soundry, 316 Dominion Rd. NE, Vienna, VA (703) 698-0088. ***THE FOLLOWING EVENT IS CANCELLED due to snow; will be rescheduled at a later date February 7 "The Superbowl of Poetry": Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Beltway Poetry Quarterly, with a reading from the anthology Full Moon on K Street by David Gewanter, Esther Iverem, Samuel Miranda, Michelle Parkerson, Katy Richey, and Terence Winch. Color commentary, half time entertainment. Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. February 9 Poetry at Noon: Love Poems, featuring Heddy Reid and Margaret Mackinnon Tuesday, 12:00 pm Free. Library of Congress, Jefferson Building, Whittall Pavilion, 10 First St. SE, DC. (202) 707-5394. February 9 Nine on the Ninth Series: featured reader plus open mic, hosted by Derrick Weston Brown. Tuesday, 9:00 pm $3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. February 10 Brookland Reading Series: Poems on Lovers and Love, in time for Valentine's Day Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Brookland Visitors Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632. February 10 Poetry Discussion on Nancy Morejon's With Eyes and Soul: Images of Cuba. Led by Yvette Neisser Moreno. Copies of poems will be provided; no advance reading necessary. Sponsored by Split This Rock and The Writers Center. Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library, 3160 16th St. NW, DC. (202) 787-5210. February 11 Jonathan Tucker, followed by open mic Thursday, 9:00 pm $1 Admission. ECAC, 733 Euclid St. NW, 2nd floor, Pleasant Plains neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-2285. February 12 11th Hour Poetry Slam: 2 rounds, audience chooses winner, prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Friday, 11:00 pm (doors open at 10:00) $5 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, historic U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 387-POET. February 14 Iota Series: Lyn Lifshin and Steven B. Rogers Sunday, 6:00 pm Free. Iota Club and Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 256-9275. February 17 A Space Inside: Kate Blackwell reads fiction, hosted by Monica Jacobe Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Riverby Books, 417 E. Capitol St. SE, Capitol Hill neighborhood, DC. (202) 543-4342. February 17 Poesis Seris: Teri Ellen Cross and Kathi Morrison-Taylor, with Shep Williams on keyboards and Curly Robinson on drums. Open mike follows. Hosted by Simki Ghebremichael. Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Pentagon City Borders, 1201 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA (703) 418-0166. February 18 Witter Bynner Poetry Fellows Jill McDonough and Atsuro Riley, introduced by US Poet Laureate Kay Ryan Thursday, 6:45 pm Free. Library of Congress, Madison Building, Mumford Room, 101 Independence Ave. SE, 6th floor, DC. (202) 707-5394. February 18 Cheryl's Gone Series: Maureen Thorson, James Belflower, and Laura Scott Thursday, 8:00 pm Free. Big Bear Cafe, 1st & R Streets NW, DC. (202) 470-5543. February 18 Regie Cabico, followed by open mic Thursday, 9:00 pm $1 Admission. ECAC, 733 Euclid St. NW, 2nd floor, Pleasant Plains neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-2285. February 19 HOME Series: featured reader, open mic. Friday, 7:00 pm $5 Admission. International Arts & Artists, Hillyer Art Space, 9 Hillyer Ct. NW, DC. (202) 338-0680. February 19 Marianne Villanueva, Steve Fellner, and live music by J. Robbins Friday, 8:00 pm Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. February 20 Sulu Series: featuring Yellow Rage, Jenny C. Lares, Gowri K., Mark Concerto, Vijai Nathan, with music from DJ 9-Volt. Hosted by Simone Jacobson. Saturday, 7:00 pm $10 Admission. Almaz Restaurant & Lounge, 1212 U St. NW, historic U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-1212. February 21 Todd Colby and Ken Jacobs Sunday, 3:00 pm $5 Admission. DC Arts Center, 2438 18th Street NW, Adams Morgan neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-7833. February 21 Sunday Kind of Love: Kathy Engel Sunday, 4:00 pm Free, but donations collected. Busboys and Poets, Langston Room, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. February 22 Charles Wright (rescheduled from February 8; all tickets honored) Monday, 7:30 pm $12 Admission. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St., DC. (202) 544-7077. February 24 Kensington Row Series: Adele Steiner and Dan Vera Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Kensington Row Bookshop, 3786 Howard Avenue, Kensington MD. (301) 949-9416. February 25 Trin-A-Thoughtz, followed by open mic Thursday, 9:00 pm $1 Admission. ECAC, 733 Euclid St. NW, 2nd floor, Pleasant Plains neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-2285. February 27 Time Shadows reading, featuring poems by Mary Tall Mountain, James Lasdun, Gerald Stern, and others. This project, now in its third year, displays poems on the subject of "community" in English, Mandarin, and German on posters throughout the Chinatown and Gallery Place neighborhoods through September. The reading will be trilingual, with telephone bridge provided to selected poets. Followed by reception. Saturday, 2:00 pm Free. Goethe-Institut, 812 7th St. NW, DC. (202) 289-1200.       PLEASE NOTE: Open mic events are not listed on this page. Please see our full listing of Reading Series for more information.