[Archived] City of Alexandria Celebrates April as National Poetry Month

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2011

News Highlights:

• City of Alexandria Celebrates April as National Poetry Month
• Several literary programs scheduled: Magic Tree House Tour; The Quill Well Poetry Festival;  As Was Written - Original Poetry, Prose and Song; and, Reading by “Come Write with Me” Participants. 
• Invitation for citizens to read poetry in parks on April 14 Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day; or with Amy Young, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria and Mary McElveen, former Poet Laureate on April 29, The Atheneaum; or on Earth Day, April 30.

More Information:

• alexandriacommissionforhearts.org
• alexandriava.gov/arts

Amy Young, Alexandria’s Poet Laureate, invites all Alexandrians to participate in National Poetry Month activities throughout the month of April.   Schools, local businesses, libraries, and recreation centers will promote poetry writing and reading and encourage broad participation in the month-long celebration.

The City of Alexandria celebrates poetry to promote an appreciation of the written word in all forms, especially poetry, to emphasize the importance and pleasure of reading and writing to Alexandria’s young people, and to uphold and call attention to Alexandria’s reputation as a leader in the arts.

Literary events scheduled include:

• April 1: “Magic Tree House Tour” sponsored by Hooray for Books
  6:30 pm, Durant Arts Center, 1605 Cameron St.,
  Come meet the author Mary Pope Osborne, lyricist Will Osborne as well as
  Traveling Duo, “Jack” and “Anne” stars of the Magic Tree House: The Musical.
  For more information: 703.548.4092
• April 3 – 8: The Quill Well Poetry Festival
  A series of engaging literary events: “The Inkwell,” a competition for older adults; “Spoken Lessons” educator forum; “Write. Speak. Live!” open mic at Renaissance Hall; “The ILL Quill” youth poetry slam. For more information, visit quillwell.com.
• April 8 - 9: “As Was Written - Original Poetry, Prose and Song”
  8:30 pm, The Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria
  For more information, visit aswaswritten.com.    
• April 9: “Come Write With Me”
  9 am – 10 am, Readings by “Come Write With Me Workshop” participants and open microphone, Del Ray Farmers Market
• April 14: National “Poem-in-Your-Pocket Day”
  Put a poem in your pocket to share with others; read poetry in one of Alexandria's neighborhood pocket parks; write poems about nature in anticipation of Earth Day.  Featured Parks: Lee Street, Ben Brenman, Armistead Boothe and Charles W. Hill  
• April 29: National Poetry Month Reading
  6:30 pm, The Atheneaum, 201 Prince St.,
  Poets young and old are invited to ready poetry, along with featured readers Amy Young, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria and Mary McElveen, Former Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria; Shelly Bell, Spoken Word Artist; Marquis Mix, Spoken Word Artist.  For more information, call 703.746.5588.
• April 30:  Earth Day
  10 am, Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr.,
  Write and read poetry about nature with Amy Young, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria.  For more information, call 703.746.5420.  

The Academy of American Poets has designated April as National Poetry Month to celebrate poetry and its ability to enrich everyday life. To learn more about National Poetry Month and the activities celebrated throughout the country, visit Poets.org.

To learn how you can get involved in local poetry activities, e-mail poet@alexandriava.gov, or call Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, Office of the Arts, at 703.746.5565.