FAIRFAX, Va. — Poetry truly is for everybody. And to prove this, a series of free community events is coming to Fairfax County starting April 27.
Poetry in the Parks, a program intended to engage the community and bring together poetry and nature lovers alike, was created by county Poet Laureate Danielle Badra in celebration of National Poetry Month.
During its first year, the series served over 120 parkgoers with free literacy experiences in Fairfax County Parks.
“Poetry in the Parks brings together nature lovers and poetry lovers in an incredible way. Last year, we had professional stargazers with a newfound admiration for poetry, and poets who were first-time visitors to a featured park creating outstanding verses. It was such a beautiful melding of worlds which is ultimately the goal of each Poetry in the Parks event,” says Danielle Badra, 2022-2024 Fairfax County Poet Laureate, who partnered with ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Park Authority on the program.
In addition to the workshops and readings, Badra is working to unveil a set of poetry plagues in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (Chantilly) and Riverbend Park (Great Falls), each featuring a poem about nature. Selected submissions will be featured in a digital collection.
ArtsFairfax also announced the search for the 2024-2027 Fairfax County Poet Laureate is on.
The Poet Laureate program recognizes a professional poet’s achievements and their demonstrated history of accomplishments; promotes a professional poet’s continued pursuit of creative work; and creates opportunities for connection between the Poet Laureate and Fairfax County communities.
The Fairfax County Poet Laureate application opens April 15. The nonprofit will host a virtual information session on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from noon until 1:30 p.m. For more information on Poetry in the Parks and the Fairfax County Poet Laureate, visit ArtsFairfax.org/Poetry.
Here are the scheduled 2024 Poetry in the Parks events:
Fairfax Poet Laureate: National Poetry Month Poetry Reading
- April 27 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria
- A poetry reading featuring Camisha L. Jones, Emilia Philips, Benjamin Renne, and Maricielo Shirley, prominent writers of the DC/Maryland/Virginia region.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Poetry Beneath the Stars
- May 4 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Turner Farm Park, Great Falls
- This writing workshop invites participants to contemplate the cosmos through poetry and a telescope viewing in the Roll Top Observatory.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Pride Month Poetry Reading
- June 1 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria
- Featuring some of the region’s most prominent LGBTQ+ poets, this reading lifts up a variety of voices and experiences to honor the rich legacy and contributions of poets and poetry in the queer community. Poets include Danielle Badra, Gowri Koneswaran, and Brian Teare.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Poetry Beneath the Stars
- August 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Turner Farm Park, Great Falls
- Celebrate the final installment of Poetry in the Parks with the last “Poetry Beneath the Stars” event, which promises an out-of-this-world writing experience and telescope viewing.
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