[Archived] April is National Poetry Month

For Immediate Release: March 29, 2012

News Highlights

• City of Alexandria Celebrates National Poetry Month with several events and programs throughout April.
• Invitation to Write Poetry with “MAPP (Mapping Alexandria in Poems and Pictures)”and “Dog Days of August” Projects.
• Several literary activities planned: “Poetry Slam Alexandria with Shelly Bell;” “Poetry at the Meetinghouse: A Tribute to Jean Elliot (1901-1999);” “Poem in Your Pocket Day;” “Small Poems: A Celebration of Language.”

More Information

• www.alexandriacommissionforthearts.org
• www.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 National Poetry Month to promote an appreciation of the written word in all forms, especially poetry, to emphasize the importance and pleasure of reading and writing with Alexandria’s young people, and to uphold and call attention to Alexandria’s reputation as a leader in the arts.

Invitation to Write Poetry:

Amy Young will launch MAPP (Mapping Alexandria in Poems and Pictures), a new poetry initiative.  Residents are invited to capture the spirit on the street they live on and help map the City through poetry, painting, drawing and photography.   A fall exhibit of submitted works and an interactive MAPP website is planned.

“Dog Days of August” is back for the second year.  Dog lovers may submit a poem (photo optional) in memory or honor of your favorite pooch. A “Dog Days of August” exhibition is scheduled for August 18 through 26. Poems will also be displayed in the city’s dog parks.
Artwork, photographs and poems for the MAPP and “Dog Days of August” projects will be collected from April through August. Send all artwork and poems to poet@alexandriava.gov

Schedule for Literary events:

• April 13: “Poetry Slam Alexandria with Shelly Bell”
  7 pm, Live Band; 8 pm, Poetry Slam, The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St.
  Free admission for the live band, open microphone and slam poetry night.
  For more information, call 703.548.0035
• April 21:  Earth Day, Eco-City Alexandria
  10 am, Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr.
  Families are invited to write poetry about nature and the environment with Amy Young, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria. 
  For more information, call 703.746.5418.
• April 22: “Poetry at the Meetinghouse: A Tribute to Jean Elliot (1901-1999)”
  4pm, Elliot House Heritage Hall, 323 S. Fairfax St.
  Let’s come together to honor Jean Elliot, the first Poet Laureate of the City of Alexandria.  Featured guests readers are Amy Young and Mary McElveen, current and former Poet Laureates.
  For more information about Old Presbyterian Meetinghouse, visit http://www.opmh.org 
• April 26: “Poem in Your Pocket Day”
  • Organize a park poetry reading with neighbors, co-workers and friends! Bring your poem in your pocket and celebrate poetry and nature. 
    For more information about Alexandria’s pocket parks, visit: https://www.alexandriava.gov/12342
  • “Small Poems: A Celebration of Language”
    7pm, The Athenaeum, 201 Prince St. Amy Young, Poet Laureate will host the evening.  Bring a pocket –sized poem that plays with language. F
    or more information, call 703.548.0035

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 www.Poets.org.

For more information, please e-mail poet@alexandriava.gov, or call Cheryl Anne Colton, Regional Program Director, Office of the Arts, at 703.746.5588.