Split This Rock

Looking to add your poetic voice to the political dialogue? Check out Split This Rock. This event has been in the works for more than a year. I'm *hoping* to go, but we'll see. At the very least, I hope the organizers add podcasting and a video component to the event.

Split This Rock Poetry Festival:
Poems of Provocation & Witness
Washington, D.C.
March 20-23, 2008

Split This Rock Poetry Festival calls poets to a greater role in public life and fosters a national network of activist poets. Building the audience for poetry of provocation and witness from our home in the nation's capital, we celebrate poetic diversity and the transformative power of the imagination.

Featuring readings, workshops, panels, contests, walking tours, film, parties, and activism! See the website for the incredible line-up of poets, including Mark Doty, Sonia Sanchez, Martín Espada, Naomi Shihab Nye, and many more. Split This Rock is cosponsored by DC Poets Against the War, Sol & Soul, Busboys and Poets, and the Institute for Policy Studies.

Also of interest: Poetry Contest--January 15 Deadline: The contest benefits Split This Rock Poetry Festival. $1,000 awarded for poems of provocation & witness; Kyle G. Dargan will judge. $500 for 1st, $300 for 2nd, and $200 for 3rd place. 1st place winner will read the winning poem at the festival. The poem will also be published on the festival Web site. All winners receive free festival admission. The $20 entry contest fee benefits the festival. Postmark Deadline: January 15, 2008. Visit the site for guidelines.