POETRY NEWS: January 2009 Please note that listings of readings and performances in the Poetry News only include events in the greater DC area (covering roughly the same area that the 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 Poetry News, please send an email with full information (including a phone number) any time during the month prior for readings, 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.   CONGRATULATIONS ...to Elizabeth Alexander, selected by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies to read at the inauguration of US President Barack Obama.   NEW RELEASES Ed Baker, Restoration Poems (Country Valley Press) Maritza Rivera Cohen, A Mother's War (chapbook; Pyramid Atlantic) Cathy Eisenhower, Clearing Without Reversal (Edge Books) Yermiyahu Ahron Taub, What Stillness Illuminated/Vos shtilkayt hot baloykhtn (trilingual in English, Yiddish and Hebrew, Parlor Press) Anne Harding Woodworth, Spare Parts: A Novella in Verse (Turning Point) Come Together, Imagine Peace, ed. Philip Metres, Ann Smith and Larry Smith. Contributors include Walt Whitman, Robert Lowell, Gerry LaFemina, Lyn Lifshin, Joseph Ross, Eric Pankey. (anthology, Bottom Dog) Poem, Revised: 54 Poems, Revisions, Discussions, ed. Robert Hartwell Fiske and Laura Cherry. Contributors include Lyn Lishshin, Brian Gilmore, and Ernie Wormwood. (anthology, Marion Street Press)   COMPETITIONS, GRANTS and CALLS FOR ENTRY Liberated Muse, Volume 1: How I Freed My Soul, an anthology from Liberated Muse Productions, seeks previously unpublished poetry, fiction, essays, and visual art "illustrating an example of when the author experienced or witnessed a moment when they felt truly free." Submit up to three original works in a Word Document with full contact information at the bottom of each submission. Mail to LiberatedMuseProductions@gmail.com. Deadline: Jan. 5. http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ Meridian Editors Prize Contests in Poetry and Fiction. Winners receive $1,000 and publication; all entrants get one-year subscription. Enter online only. Entry: $16. Deadline: Jan. 7. http://www.readmeridian.org. Hurston/Wright Foundation Award for College Writers. $1,000 given annually to recognize excellence in fiction writing by a student of African descent enrolled full-time in the US college or graduate school. Students who have published a book in any genre are not eligible. Submit two copies of a short story of 20-25 pages or a novel excerpt up to 15 pages with required application and a $10 entry fee by January 15. http://www.hurstonwright.org. Virginia Center for the Creative Arts residencies of 2 weeks to 2 months. Open to writers of all kinds, composers, and visual artists. The center, on a 450-acre estate at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mtns. approximately 60 miles south of Carlottesville, accomodates up to 22 artists at a time, provides separate working and living quarters, and all meals. Residents asked to contribute daily fee of $30-60; 8 fully-funded one-month residencies offered to writers who have not previously attended residencies at the VCCA. For residencies June to September 2009, submit work sample, resume, $25 application fee and required application by January 15. http://www.vcca.com. Washington College, C.V. Starr Center Fellowships. Fulltime residential fellowships support outstanding writing on American history and culture by scholars and nonacademic writers. The Patrick Henry Fellowship includes a $45,000 stipend, health benefits, faculty privileges, a book allowance and a 9-month residency during the academic year (2009-10) in a restored 1735 house in historic Chestertown, MD. Deadline: Jan. 15. http://starrcenter.washcoll.edu/fellows/index.php. Moving Words seeks poems for display on public transit buses. Now in its tenth anniversary year, this program, co-sponsored by Arlington County Cultural Affairs and METRO, is expanding eligibility to include any poet who lives within the DC Metro transit zone (Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church; the District of Columbia; and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties). Submit up to 3 poems of 10 lines or less. Judges Rod Jellema, Kwame Alexander, and Yael Flusberg will select 6 winners, whose poems will be displayed on Northern Virginia METRO buses for three months between April 2009 and September 2009; will receive a $100 honorarium; and be invited to give a public reading of their work in April 2009. No fee to enter. Deadline: January 23. http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/movingwords.htm. The Arlington Commission for the Arts awards grants to individual artists (visual, literary, film, performing) whose legal residence is Arlington and to arts organizations based in Arlington. Deadline: Jan. 27. http://www.arlingtonarts.org/cultural_affairs/funding.htm. The Chesapeake Reader, an online literary journal, is accepting submissions of poetry and prose through January 31, 2009. http://www.chesapeakereader.com. US/Japan Creative Artists Residency. Up to 5 residencies of 5 months each, with monthly stipend of 600,000 yen (approximately $5,960), plus travel grant of up to $6,000, awarded annually to US poets, fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers to live in Japan and pursue creative projects. Submit 10 pages of poetry or 15 pages of prose with two letters of recommendation, resume, and proof of previous publications (in journals or book form), with required application. No fee to apply. Proficiency in Japanese language not required. Deadline: February 1. Sponsored by the Japan-US Friendship Commission. http://www.jusfc.gov/programguidelines.asp 2009 Emerging Voices Playwriting Competition seeks 10-minue one-act plays in two categories: young adults in grades 9 through 12, and pre-professionals of all ages. Five winning submissions will be staged at the Lincoln Theater by a professional cast. Submissions will be judged on concept, dramatic action, characterization, and dialogue. Plays must be in English, based on original ideas, unproduced and unpublished, in any genre except musicials. Collaborations of up to two playwrights are acceptable. Plays must be typed and in standard professional play format, firmly bound, with a title page that lists title, playwright's name, address, phone, email, and page count. An additional title page listing the title, character listing, scene listing, and any acknowledgements may be included. Submissions only returns in accompanied by SASE. Deadline: Feb. 2. Mail to: Emerging Voices, c/o Glory Edim, Lincoln Theater, 1215 U St. NW, Washington, DC 20009. Library of Virginia Literary Awards. Three prizes of $3,500 each are given annually to books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction published in the previous year. Books must either be written by a writer born in VA or a current resident of the state or written on a VA theme. Submit 3 copies of books. No entry fee. Deadline Feb. 13. http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwedo/awards/index.htm Plan B Press chapbook competition, judged by Deborah Ager. Winner gets 50 copies of their book plus $225 award. Send manuscript with table of contents, list of previously published work (if any), SASE, and $15 reading fee. No mss. returned. Deadline: March 1. Plan B Press, PO Box 3242, Fairfax, VA 22038. http://www.planbpress.com/contestnew.html The Word Works Washington Prize. Publication and $1,500 given annually to a US or Canadian poet. Submit ms. of 48-64 pages with $25 entry fee by March 1. http://www.wordworksdc.com The Potomac Review annual poetry contest. First prize winner gets publication and $300. Second prize winner published on web site and gets $150. All entrants get one-year subscription. Send 3 previously unpublished poems (in a "blind" reading format) with $20 reading fee. Deadline: March 1. http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/pcsubmissionguidelines.html     WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, AND SPECIAL EVENTS Exhibit at Space 88, "Image/Word: Fusion of Poetry and Art," Jan. 9 through March 6. Seven pairs of poets and visual artists collaborating on a single work on the theme of "creation": Sally Brucker & Ann Slayton, Bonnie Lee Holland & Anne Becker, James Landry & Greta Ehrig, Margot Neuhaus & Anne Dykers, Stephanie Sove Ney & Carol Beane, Howard Spector & Merrill Leffler, and Eric Wolinsky & Sydney March. Opening reception Jan. 9 at 7:30 pm. 8211 Mayor Lane, Silver Spring, MD (301) 437-6652. http://www.space-88.com. "How to Sell Your Book: Query Letters," a one-day workshop led by Barbara Esstman, Saturday, Jan. 10 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Sponsored by the Women's National Book Association. $55 fee; limited to 20. Held at the Writer's Center, Bethesda. Register: http://www.wnba-books.org/wash/index.html. Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway, Jan. 16-19, Grand Hotel, Cape May, NJ. Fee includes workshops and a few meals (lodging and other meals not included); limited scholarships available. Workshop leaders in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction include Renee Ashley, Stephen Dunn, Peter E. Murphy. http://www.wintergetaway.com. "Nevermore 2009," the city of Baltimore's year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, begins on January 17, 18, 31, and February 1, with a Bicentennial Birthday Celebration, including theatrical performances, musical tributes, and an exhibition of Poe artifacts. On January 19, offerings include historical tours of the Westminster Hall catacombs, a book fair, readings of Poe poems, a ghost hunt, and a Poe look-alike contest. Other upcoming programs include an exhibit at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, a documentary on Maryland Public Television, a "Cask of Amontillado" wine tasting, a one-man show called "Poe in Person," an exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art of paintings inspired by Poe, a candlelight vigil at the Poe Monument and more. http://www.nevermore2009.com/     AREA READINGS and PERFORMANCES January 4 Michael Robertson discusses Worshipping Walt: The Whitman Disciples. Followed by champagne reception Sunday, 4:00 pm Free, but reservations required. Sponsored by the Washington Friends of Walt Whitman. Held in the home of Neil Richardson and Karen Loeschner in Mount Pleasant (directions will be provided). RSVP: ananda001@aol.com. January 5 Cafe Muse: Kathi Wolfe and Brian Bodeur, plus classical guitar by Michael Davis and open mic. Hosted by Adele Steiner. Monday, 7:00 pm Free. Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. (301) 581-9439. January 7 Broadcast: The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress. Grace Cavalieri interviews A.B. Spellman Wednesday, 3:00 pm WPFW-FM, 89.3 January 7 Intersections series: reading by Fred Joiner, plus discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Jon West-Bey. Wednesday, 8:00 pm $2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141. January 9 Nine on the Ninth Series: Hosted by Derrick Weston Brown. Friday, 9:00 pm $3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. January 9 11th Hour Poetry Slam: 2 rounds, audience chooses winner, prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Friday, 11:00 pm $5 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 14th and V Streets NW, historic U Street neighborhood, DC. (202) 387-POET January 11 Staff reading, featuring Charles Jensen, Carol Cissel, Abdul Ali Abdurrahman, Kyle Semmel, Caitlin Hill, Janel Carpenter, and Sunil Freeman Saturday, 2:00 pm Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. January 11 Iota Series: Heather Davis and Jose Padua, followed by open mic. Hosted by Miles David Moore. Sunday, 6:00 pm Free. Iota Club and Cafe, 2832 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon neighborhood, Arlington, VA. (703) 256-9275. January 12 A Party for Edgar Allan Poe, with dramatic readings by actor Scott Sedar Monday, 6:45 pm $45 Admision. S. Dillon Ripley Center, Smithsonian Institution, 1100 Jefferson Dr. SW, DC. (202) 633-3030. January 12 Linda Pastan and Tracy K. Smith. Followed by a discussion moderated by E. Ethelbert Miller Monday, 7:30 pm $12 Admission. Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE, Capitol Hill neighborhood, DC. (202) 544-7077. January 14 Brookland Reading Series Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Brookland Visitor's Center, 3420 9th St. NE, DC. (202) 526-1632. January 15 Judy Neri, Ellen Cole, and E. Laura Goldberg Thursday, 7:30 pm Free. Takoma Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave., Gallery 3, Third Floor, Takoma Park, MD. (301) 891-7224. January 15 Cheryl's Gone Series: Hosted by Wade Fletcher. Thursday, 8:00 pm Free, but donations accepted. Big Bear Cafe, 1st and R Streets NW, DC. (202) 470-5543. January 17 Films: "Pull My Daisy," written by Jack Kerouac, followed by "The Savage Eye," part of the "Film and the Beat Legacy" series Saturday, 4:00 pm Free. National Gallery of Art Auditorium, 4th Street and Constitution Ave. NW, DC. (202) 842-6799. January 18 Reading from the anthology Poem, Revised, featuring Lyn Lishshin, Brian Gilmore, and Ernie Wormwood Saturday, 2:00 pm Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. January 18 Sunday Kind of Love: anthology reading from Poetic Voices Without Borders 2, edited by Robert L. Giron, featuring Karren LeLonde Alenier, Christopher Conlon, Patricia Gray, Sydney March, Yvette Neisser Moreno, and Joseph Ross, followed by open mic. Hosted by Melissa Tuckey and Katy Richey. Sunday, 4:00 pm Free, but donations collected. Busboys and Poets, Langston Room, 14th & V Streets NW, DC. (202) 387-POET. January 19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, featuring performances by Bomani Armah, the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir, Hueman Prophets, Quique Avilez, Chris August, and Tokia "2 Deep" Carter, plus local youth presenting "Letters to the President" Monday, 2:00 pm Free. Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues NW, DC. (202) 537-6200. January 21 Broadcast: The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress. Grace Cavalieri interviews Terrance Hayes Wednesday, 3:00 pm WPFW-FM, 89.3 January 21 Lecture with Mark Harman: "Translating Franz Kafka's Vision of America" Wednesday, 7:30 pm Free, but reservation required. Embassy of Austria, 3524 International Court NW, DC. (202) 895-6776. January 21 Intersections series: readings, discussion, live music, and open mic. Hosted by Fred Joiner. Wednesday, 8:00 pm $2 suggested donation. Honfleur Gallery, 1241 Good Hope Rd. SE, DC. (202) 889-5000 x141. January 21 Mothertongue Wednesday, 9:00 pm $5 Admission. The Black Cat, 1811 14th St. NW, DC. (202) 726-1821. January 22 Lannan Series: Li-Young Lee Thursday, Seminar at 5:30 pm and Reading at 8:00 Free. Georgetown University, Seminar in the International Cultural Center Room 462, Reading in Copley Formal Lounge, 37th and O Streets NW, Georgetown neighborhood, DC. (202) 687-7435. January 25 Fiction reading by Alex MacLennan and James Mathews Saturday, 2:00 pm Free. The Writers Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664. January 28 Averille Jacobs, Pamela Passerata, and Mike Maggio Wednesday, 7:00 pm Free. Kensington Row Bookshop, 3786 Howard Ave., Kensington, MD. January 28 The Soundry Poetry Jam, hosted by Jennifer Crawford Friday, 8:00 pm Free Admission. The Soundry, 315 Dominion Dr., Vienna. (703) 698-0088. January 28 Sparkle Series: featured readers TBA, followed by open mic. Guest host: Natalie Illum Wednesday, 8:30 pm $3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Streets NW, DC. (202) 315-1320. January 31 GLU Series (Generations Leading Us): featured readers TBA. Hosted by Regie Cabico. Saturday, 4:00 pm $3 Admission. Busboys and Poets, 5th & K Streets NW, DC. (202) 315-1320. January 31 Writer's Center 32nd Birthday Reading, featuring Phillip Lopate Friday, 7:30 $25 Admission. The Writer's Center, 4508 Walsh St., Bethesda, MD. (301) 654-8664.       ***PLEASE NOTE: Open mic events are not listed on this page. Please see our full listing of Reading Series for more information*** Information subject to change. Please call in advance to confirm events. Listings of readings only include venues in the greater DC area. To get your event listed, send complete information during the month prior to beltway.poetry@juno.com.