Beltway RESOURCE BANK Greater DC Reading and Performance Series Readings throughout the DC Metro region are listed here by the day of the week on which they typically occur (and within each listing for each day, by frequency). Please confirm with hosts as this information changes frequently. For more information about featured readers and special events, also see the Poetry News section of Beltway, which is updated monthly. This list last updated: March 30, 2008.   SUNDAY Iota Poetry Series 2nd Sundays at 6:00 pm Iota Bar and Restaurant, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 522-8340 or (703) 256-9275. Featured readers, followed by open mic. Hosted by Miles David Moore. Free Admission. In Your Ear 3rd Sundays at 3:00 pm DC Arts Center, 2438 18th St. NW, Adams Morgan neighborhood, DC. (202) 462-7833. Featured readers from the DC area and around the country, with an emphasis on experimental writing. Hosted by Adam Good, Cathy Eisenhower, and Tom Orange. $3 Admission. Sunday Kind of Love 3rd Sundays at 4:00 pm Busboys and Poets, Langston Room, 14th and V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. Featured readers, plus open mic. Hosted by Melissa Tuckey and Katy Richey. Free, but donations collected. The Writers Center Erratic Sundays at 2:00 pm 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. Featured writers, often reading from newly published books. Also hosts workshops, open readings, staged readings of plays, annual small press festival, other events. Charles Jensen, Director; Sunil Freeman, Assistant Director. Free Admission for most readings. Bridge Street Books Erratic Sundays at 7:00 pm 2814 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (at M Street), Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 965-5200. Featured writers; mostly experimental poets. Hosted by Rod Smith. Free admission; donations for the poets accepted.   MONDAY Busboys at Shirlington Every Monday at 8:00 pm Busboys and Poets, 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington, VA. (703) 379-9756. Hosted by Fred Joiner. Free Admission. Third Sundays are devoted to "Other People's Poetry," open mic readings of poems we love by others. Chocolate Soul Mondays Every Monday at 8:00 pm The Meeting Place, 1707 L St. NW, DC. (202) 293-7755. Open mic, live band. Hosted by Naima Jahmaal. $5 Admission. The Movement Every Monday at 9:00 pm Bar Nun, 1326 U St. NW, U Street/Cardozo neighborhood, DC. (202) 667-6680. Must be 21 or up with valid ID. Open mic. Hosted by Jabari/Mikuai Rai. $5 Admission. AWNG Open Mic 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6:00 pm (to 11:00 pm) Turntable Restaurant, 5802 Georgia Ave. NW, DC. (202) 726-3322. Coordinated by Chi Mauuso. $3 Admission. DC Guerrilla Insurgency 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7:00 pm Dupont Circle by the fountain, SW corner of Connecticut Ave. and Q St. NW, DC. Open reading "incorporating rhythm, spoken word, song, community and resistance." Hosted by Laurelle Blair. Free admission. Cafe Muse 1st Mondays at 7:00 pm Friendship Heights Community Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. (301) 656-2797 Featured readers followed by open mic. Michael Davis plays classical guitar and refreshments are served preceding readings (starting at 7:00). Coordinated by Adele Steiner and Marie Pavlicek-Wehrli. Sponsored by The Word Works, Inc. Free Admission. Word of Mouth Poetry 2nd and 4th Mondays at 8:00 pm Bossa Bistro Lounge, 2463 18th St. NW, Adams Morgan neighborhood, DC. (202) 353-5635. Hosted by Laila. Open Mic. Free Admission. Music accompanies the poets during the second half. Folger Shakespeare Library Poetry Series Erratic Mondays, some other days, at 7:30 pm 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC. (202) 544-7077. Research library on Capitol Hill with extensive holdings in Shakespearean and Elizabethan documents, including original folios of Shakespeare plays; seminars for teachers and students; hosts the PEN/Faulker Reading Series in Fiction and the Poetry Series with visiting writers of national and international stature. Poetry series coordinated by Teri Ellen Cross; $12 Admission to most events.   TUESDAY Open Mic Every Tuesday at 9:00 pm Busboys & Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. $3 Admission. Hosted by Derrick Weston Brown. Poetic Situations Every Tuesday at 9:00 pm International Grill, 2013 14th St. NW, DC. (301) 792-4447. Open mic poetry, music, and comedy. Sign up starts at 8:00 pm. Cash bar. Hosted by Kuroji Ntu. $5 Admission. Takoma Park Library 1st Tuesdays (October through May) at 7:30 pm Takoma Park Branch of the DC Public Library, 5th & Cedar Streets, NW, DC. (202) 576-7272. Three featured readers per evening. Hosted by Rhonda Williford. Free admission. Speakeasy 2nd Tuesdays at 8:00 pm Station 9, 1438 U St. NW, DC. (240) 888-9751. Storytelling for adults with different themes each month; featured performers followed by open mic. Sponsored by Washington Storyteller's Theater. Hosted by Amy Saidman. $10 Admission. Grace Church Reading Series 3rd Tuesdays at 7:30 pm Grace Church, 1041 Wisconsin Ave., between M and K Streets, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 333-7100. Featured readers. Hosted by David Bujard and Sally Avignone. Free Admission. Poetry at Noon Erratic Tuesdays at Noon Library of Congress, Madison Blg., Pickford Theater, 3rd floor, 101 Independence Ave. SE, DC. (202) 707-1308. Hosted by Patricia Gray; local and regional writers reading works with seasonal themes. Free admission. Lannan Poetry Series Erratic Tuesdays, sometimes on other days of the week as well; seminars begin at 5:30 and readings at 8:00 pm. Georgetown University, Intercultural Center, 37th & O Streets NW, DC. (202) 687-7435. Poetry readings, seminars and lectures, with an emphasis on experimental writing. Free admission.   WEDNESDAY The Dreamers Poetry Series Every Wednesday at 7:30 pm Frederick Coffee Company, 100 N. East St., Frederick, MD. (301) 698-0039. Located approx. 45 minutes north of DC. Featured reader, followed by open mic. The first Wednesday of each month is "Poets in Perpetua," celebrating a poet who has passed away. Hosted by Dan Armstrong. Intersections 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7:30 pm Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 580-5972. Hosted by Fred Joiner. $2 suggested donation. Featured readers. Brookland Poetry Series 2nd Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Brookland Visitors Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632. This series is unique to the DC area, focusing on readings of literature on pre-determined themes by members of the Brookland Area Writers and Artists. Although they occasionally host featured authors, for the most part this series is dedicated to the oral interpretation of poems by authors throughout history. Themes have included Irish Poetry, poems about dogs (the summer "Dog Days" annual), and erotic poetry. Hosted by Michael Gushue and Dan Vera. Free Admission. Mother Tongue Alternate months, usually 2nd Wednesdays at 9:00 pm. The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW, DC. (202) 726-1821. Doors open at 8:00 pm. Monthly spoken word event for and about women; all profits donated to community-based nonprofits that improve the lives of women or girls in the Metro area. Also offers occasional writing workshops. $5 Admission. A Space Inside 4th Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Riverby Books, 417 E. Capitol St. SE, Eastern Market neighborhood, DC. (202) 543-4342. Featured readers from DC, alternates between fiction writers, non-fiction writers, and poets. "A space where developing writers, lesser known voices, and the work of better-known writers between books can be heard." Hosted by Monica F. Jacobe. Free Admission. Poets on the Fringe Reading/Workshop offered every Wednesday at 8:00 pm Guy Mason Recreation Center, 3600 Calvert St. NW, DC. (202) 282-2180. Open to anyone aged 18 and up. "Poets from all walks of life encouraged to share their work, and bring copies of their poems and offer positive feedback with each other." Hosted by Pamela Passaretta. Free Admission. Info: passapamela@aol.com. Native Writers Series Erratic Wednesdays at 6:30 pm National Museum of the American Indian, Elmer and Mary Louis Rasmusen Theater, 1st level, 4th St. and Independence Ave. SW, DC. For evening program, enter at the south entrance on Maryland Avenue near 4th Street. (202) 633-1000. Hosted by Suzan Shown Harjo. Free Admission. University of Maryland Erratic Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Dorchester Hall, 1st floor lounge, College Park, MD. (301) 405-3820 Writers Here & Now series, with visiting writers, Free Admission. Additional campus literary events at the Jimenez-Porter Writers House. U of M also offers an MFA in Poetry or Fiction. Director of Creative Writing: Michael Collier. American University Erratic Wednesdays at 8:00 pm Butler Pavilion, Board Room, 6th floor, DC. (202) 885-2973. (Sometimes uses other campus locations.) Readings by faculty, students, and visiting writers. American also sponsors a literary journal, Folio, and offers an MFA degree in Poetry or Fiction. Program Director: Richard McCann. Free Admission. THURSDAY Spit Dat! Open Mic Poetry Every Thursday at 8:00 pm Mocha Hut, 1301 U St. NW, DC. (202) 667-0616 Spoken word open mic, hosted by Drew "Droopy" Anderson and Dwayne B. Free Admission. The Nora School Series 2nd Thursday of every other month, September through April, at 7:30 pm 955 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring, MD. (301) 495-6672. Readings at a private high school feature local poets of note along with talented teenage writers from the area. Coordinated by Chris Conlon. Free Admission. Cheryl's Gone Series 3rd Thursdays at 8:00 pm Big Bear Cafe, 1st and R Streets NW, DC. (202) 470-5543. 3 to 4 featured readers (poetry and prose), with either an open mic or an acoustic act during intermission. Hosted by Wade Fletcher. Free Admission, but donations accepted. Library of Congress Erratic Thursdays at 6:45 pm Madison Blg., 101 Independence Ave. SE, DC. Events usually in the Mumford Room, 6th floor. (202) 707-1517. The visiting writers series hosts eminent visiting poets from across the country and an annual reading by the US Poet Laureate. Free Admission. Coordinated by Patricia Gray. Takoma Park Poetry Series Erratic Thursdays at 7:00 pm Takoma Park Community Center, Atrium, 7500 Maple Ave., Takoma Park, MD (301) 891-7224. Featured readers, some open readings. Hosted by the Takoma Park Poet Laureate. Free Admission. George Washington University Erratic Thursdays at 8:00 pm (some events start at 8:30) Visiting writers and scholars program. Also hosts the Jenny McKean Moore Free Community Workshops, led by visting poets in odd-numbered years and offered free to selected participants. Hosts the journal GW Review, and offers an MA degree in English. Events in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Coordinated by David McAleavey. Free Admission.   FRIDAY The Soundry Poetry Jam 4th Fridays at 8:00 pm The Soundry, 316 Dominion Drive, Vienna, VA (703) 698-0088. Hosted by Jennifer Crawford. Open mic. Sounds of Hope Final Fridays at 8:00 (sign up starts at 7:00 pm) Potter's House Books, 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, Adams Morgan neighborhood, DC. (202) 232-2885. Music and poetry. Coordinated by Mary Shapiro. $10 suggested contribution. Poetry at Westmoreland Erratic Fridays at 7:30 pm Westmoreland Congregational Church. One Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, MD. (301) 229-7768. Three readings per year, one each in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Hosted by Nan Fry. Free Admission (free-will donations accepted to benefit pre-selected groups). Connections Literary Series Erratic Fridays at 7:30 pm College of Southern Maryland, Languages and Literatures Dept. Readings at both the LaPlata and Leonardtown campuses. (301) 934-7684. Admission usually $2, some readings free. PEN/Faulkner Series Erratic Fridays at 8:00 pm Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, DC. (202) 544-7077. Visiting writers series brings in fiction writers from around the world. $15 Admission.   SATURDAY Crescent Moon Nights Open Mic Poetry 1st Saturdays at 7:00 pm Mocha Hut, 1301 U Street NW, DC. (202) 667-0616. Featured poet and open mic. Sign up starts at 6:00 pm. Free admission before 7:00; $5 after 7:00pm. Poets Anonymous 2nd Saturdays at 2:00 pm Red Hot and Blue Restaurant, Route 123 and Judicial Drive, Fairfax, VA. (703) 218-6989. Hosted by Sam "The Man in the Black Hat" Hurst. Free Admission. Ruthless Grip Series 2nd Saturdays at 8:00 pm Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 8230 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD (301) 608-9101 x101. Featured authors, with an emphasis on experimental and avant garde writers. Coordinated by Mel Nichols and Kaplan Harris. Free Admission, although donations accepted to pay featured authors. Also of Interest DC Poetry Web site with information on three area readings series: Bridge Street Books, In Your Ear, and Ruthless Grip. Also publishes the history of the experimental and language poetry community in DC through personal essays, and an annual anthology of poets from DC and throughout the US. George Mason University Readings by visiting writers. GMU is also home to the Associated Writing Programs, and offers an MFA degree in creative writing. Hosts the journal English Matters. Events in Fairfax, VA. Free Admission. HoCoPoLitSo Various days and times The Howard County Poetry and Literature Society hosts readings, workshops, and in-school programs. Also creates videos of area poets, such as Lucille Clifton, Roland Flint, and Michael Collier. Memorial Day Writers Project Created by Vietnam veterans as a creative venue for vets and those who have been touched by war. They sponsor readings twice a year, at Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, in a tent adjacent to the Vietnam Memorial (near Constitution Ave and 21st St NW). Coordinated by Mike McDonell and Dick Epstein. National Museum of Women in the Arts Various days Sponsors readings by women writers with national or international reputations. Admission charged. 1250 New York Ave. NW, DC. (202) 783-7982. Nine on the Ninth Held on the 9th day of every month at 9:00 pm Featured readers and open mic, hosted by Derrick Weston Brown. $3 admission. Busboys & Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. Poetology Information on Spoken Word venues in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Vida la vida literaria: Resources in the Washington DC Area for Spanish Language Writers & Translators C.M. Mayo, editor of Tameme Books, and a translator and poet, has compiled this excellent resource list on her web site.     Know of a reading series in the Greater DC area we're missing? Please let us know! Email: beltway.poetry@juno.com.