Transformational! Captivating and Dynamic!

Renée McRae encapsulates in few words what others try to say in entire essays! Her one-of-a-kind poetry uniquely combines rhyming messages with simple truths. She not only tells you the problem, she tells you how to solve it!

Her message: "You Can Live the Life of Your Dreams!"

Author of an empowering change-your-life book of poetry entitled Truth In Rhyme, Renée is a Performance Poet, Self Development Trainer and Author.

Founder of Poetic Motivations, LLC, a personal development and training company, her award-winning transformational poetry has been published in several anthologies and magazines and is also available on her cd, Truth Be Told!

Available for Life Alignment Workshops, Renée utilizes writing exercises, role play and poetry to focus on Self-Sufficiency, Leadership Skills, Conflict Resolution and Career Path Choices.

Renée’s clients include colleges, homeless shelters, public schools, domestic violence shelters, juvenile detention centers, mental health facilities and substance abuse recovery programs.

DO NOT MISS THIS!

Christine Celise, experimental poet, brings life and movement to her pieces. Her work reflects experiences as a black woman, spiritual awakenings through embracing the essence of the Orishas, and the vulnerability of womanhood. Sharing the space will be various organic accompaniments: musically and visually.

Christine Celise is also the creator of Woman Speak, a bi-monthly women's series that celebrates the journeys of women from all points of life. She has had the opportunity to work with various talents in the Washington Metropolitan area as well as Miami Florida, including a collaboration on the forthcoming Poem-Cees Album, and narration for "Untold Stories," a Harambee Theatrical Production.

Additionally, her experience as an artist includes being the creator of a visual arts program and gallery, Art On the Walls @ Miami Light Project, as well as a former member of Alafia Afro Cuban Dance Group.

reading my poetry

This is going to be a greatest hits presentation from the A LIVE Words Productions Steam Cafe performers.
Pete Smeltzer is a winner of UDC's Maxine Combs writing award, and is now a senior at the University of Maryland. He also hosts monthly spoken word open mikes @ Steam Cafe 1700 17th St. NW (at R)
Pete likes words and has been known to swallow them like swords and spit them out like fire. You will also be treated to the improvisational stylings of Mark Crosby, a multi media performance by the jazz influenced Wynn Yarborough, and the sardonic musings of Miss Sara Joy DelSavio.
Come on out and get your word on!

18 poems. 6 cultures. 1 focus.

Time Shadows, a neighborhood poetry collaboration in Downtown's Chinatown neighborhood, brings the theme City Life to audiences with its reading of eighteen contemporary Chinese, American and German poems celebrating modern-day cities. This reading of all poetry in its native language and English translation celebrates elements of life in a modern metropolis.

Featuring readings in person by local poets Grace Cavalieri, Kim Roberts, and Davi Walders.

Moderated by Dr. Lane Jennings, project consultant.

I'm a science fiction novelist whose latest book THE BURNING SKIES was released in May by Bantam Spectra.

Rosetta Thurman is a woman of color sharing love, light, faith and music through her poetry. Imagine a woman always on her way to something, somewhere, her soul singing with the possibility of what will be found there. Rosetta grew up in the public housing projects of Cleveland, Ohio, and firmly believes that change is possible, no matter what the situation. Rosetta works for social change in the DC nonprofit community as a writer, leadership development consultant, and adjunct professor. She has been writing poetry and creative nonfiction for over ten years. Rosetta's work was most recently featured at the Honfleur Gallery's "Anacostia Exposed" exhibit, composed of black and white photography of the historic Anacostia Neighborhood in DC, accompanied by inspired poetry by local poets.

Hilarious stories from the Urban Jungle,
hosted by that nefarious villain -- CAPTAIN JIMMY!

Three nights of poets PLUS OPEN MIC! And cookies.
June 17, 7-8:30 PM: Richard Peabody (Gargoyle, Last of the Red Hot Magnetos); Deborah Ager (32poems, Midnight Voices); Maria Padhila (Capitol Cougar); Dallas Corsair (Z-Spot). Followed by OPEN MIC
June 19, 9-10:30 PM: Rose Solari (Orpheus in the Park, Difficult Weather); Charles Jensen (Living Things, The Strange Case of Maribel Dixon); Caryn Sykes (Mortified); PLUS poets with music: Brewster von Thyme Thackeray accompanied by Souley; Bardia (with Brotherman). Followed by OPEN MIC.
June 26: Pamela Murray Winters (Once Daily as Directed); David Beaudoin (THE PEARL, Human Nature); Reuben Jackson (fingering the keys); Reb Livingston (No Tell Motel, Your Ten Favorite Words). Followed by OPEN MIC
Open mic signup starts 30 min before event. comehearpoets.blogspot.com

Busboys and Poets Presents: So What!: A Poetry Jam! is a nod to the jazz jam sessions and wood shedding gatherings of musicians and poets who wanted to create a free flowing yet structured way to meld poetry and music. Pulling from the U street traditions of having a live band backing poets and performers, this two hour set will involve poets from various disciplines; whether from spoken word or page, this is your chance to see what happens when improvisation and finely crafted written work meet at the crossroads of a live stage. From the Beats,to the jazz haiku masters, freestyle poets, and Slammers, get ready for a organic set that is sure to be enjoyable.

DC-based pop-culture obsessed literary magazine Barrelhouse has joined forces with Baltimore's Smartish Pace to present a joint reading of poets from the journals' new issues. Readers include Sandra Beasley, David Keplinger, Rebekah Sankey, Elizabeth Arnold, Terence Winch, and Eric Pankey. For more information visit www.barrelhousemag.com or www.smartishpace.com

A solid half hour of onstage antics taken up primarily by the reading of original poetry, with light chitchat about the nuances of editing and humidity.

Ryan E. Holman is a data-entry worker bee by day to finance her moonlighting as a poet. She has had poetry appearing in the Silver Spring/Takoma Park Voice and was featured in the Third Thursday Takoma Park Reading Series in May 2007 and November 2008. While she has been writing poetry on and off for a long time, she has recently come to find her voice in writing about day-to-day life through the lens of the elements.

Stand Up Comedy