Split This Rock Poetry Festival 2010: Public Events
Split This Rock invites members of the public to join festival participants at any of these free or low-cost events: readings, open mics, activism, and our first social change book fair!
Many events are free - for others, just $8 or $5 at the door. See our Venues page for maps and locations.
NOTE: Priority at open mics goes to registered festival participants.
Wednesday, 3/10
6-7 pm - FREE
OPENING CEREMONY FEATURING YOUNG DC VOICES at Busboys and Poets, Langston Room
Young Women’s Drumming Empowerment Project, the Shakti Brigade, winners of Split This Rock’s World & Me Youth Poetry Contest, and members of the DC Youth Slam Team. With readings of poems by Dennis Brutus, Lucille Clifton, and Mahmoud Darwish, plus the inspiring words of Howard Zinn.8-10 pm - $8 ($5 for students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Andrea Gibson, Wang Ping, Cornelius Eady, and the Poets-in-Residence of Busboys & Poets: Holly Bass, Beny Blaq, and Derrick Weston Brown10:30-Midnight - $5 at the door
OPEN MIC FEATURING mothertongue at Busboys and Poets, Langston Room
Hosted by Regie Cabico, featuring mothertongue. Speak your mind, speak your truth, split some rocks. Bring a 3-minute poem and sign up at the door.
Thursday 3/11
2-3:30 pm - FREE
SPLIT THIS ROCK 2010 FILM PROGRAM at Busboys and Poets, Langston Room
A screening of cutting-edge short films that showcase how poets, writers, and activists are collaborating with visual media artists to explore critical social issues. Edited by poet, filmmaker, and Director of the Poetry Center of Chicago Francesco Levato.4:30-6 pm - FREE
POETRY IN THE STREETS at Upper Senate Park
Help us tell our lawmakers how to spend the next $1 trillion. Bring your vision for the country and the planet to the Capitol! Details with the Thursday festival schedule.
8-10 pm - $8 ($5 students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Francisco Aragón, Lillian Allen, Mark Nowak, and Nancy Morejón
10:30-Midnight - $8 ($5 students)
SPLIT THIS ROCK 2010 FILM PROGRAM at Busboys and Poets, Langston Room
A screening of cutting-edge short films that showcase how poets, writers, and activists are collaborating with visual media artists to explore critical social issues. Edited by poet, filmmaker, and Director of the Poetry Center of Chicago Francesco Levato.
10:30-Midnight - $5 at the door
OPEN MIC featuring Sulu DC at Marx Café
Hosted by Regie Cabico. Speak your mind, speak your truth, split some rocks. Bring a 3-minute poem and sign up at the door.
Friday 3/12
2-3:30 pm - $5 at the door
OPEN MIC FEATURING 11TH HOUR SLAM at Busboys and Poets, Langston Room
Hosted by Regie Cabico. Speak your mind, speak your truth, split some rocks. Bring a 3-minute poem and sign up at the door.5-7 pm - $8 ($5 students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Patricia Smith, Martín Espada, and Arthur Sze8-10 pm - $8 ($5 students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Jeffrey McDaniel, Natalie E. Illum, Jan Beatty, and Quincy Troupe
Saturday 3/13
9:30 am - 4 pm - FREE
SOCIAL CHANGE BOOK FAIR at the Thurgood Marshall Center12:30-1:30 pm - FREE
TEEN OPEN MIC at Bell Multicultural High School
Special guest Jeffrey McDaniel, former DC slam champion and Split This Rock featured poet. Open to all teens 13-19. Bring a 3-minute poem and sign up at the door. Hosted by Regie Cabico.
2-4 pm - FREE
DC YOUTH SLAM TEAM FINALS at Bell Multicultural High School
Final round of slam team competition. Winners will represent DC at Brave New Voices, the national teen slam, in Los Angeles in July.5-7 pm - $8 ($5 for students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Richard McCann, Allison Hedge Coke, Lenelle Moïse, and Fady Joudah8-10 pm - $8 ($5 for students)
FEATURED READING at Bell Multicultural High School
Toni Asante Lightfoot, Martha Collins, Sinan Antoon, and Chris Abani, with readings of winning poems of the 2009 and 2010 Split This Rock Poetry Contests (Simki Ghebremichael, Marie-Elizabeth Mali, and Teresa Scollon)