Celebrate National Poetry Month in Alexandria

For Immediate Release: March 20, 2023

Zeina Azzam, 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 Academy of American Poets 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.

DASHing Words in Motion Poets Named

The City of Alexandria Office of the Arts and the Alexandria Transit Company joined forces to host a poetry contest “DASHing Words in Motion.” The poetry contest encouraged quality writing by writers and poets 16 years or older, who lived, worked, or studied in the City of Alexandria.

Seven poets were selected from sixty-three submissions.  Zeina Azzam, Poet Laureate, City of Alexandria, and the winning poets: Kacie Candela, Christine Riccardi Coker, Rose Dallimore, Christa Edwards, Jonathan Lewis, Elizabeth Reese, and Anthony Smith will have their poems published inside the DASH buses and Trolleys in April and May.

Poem in Your Pocket Celebration

Zeina Azzam, Alexandria’s Poet Laureate will lead the “Poem in Your Pocket Celebration” on Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m., at the Athenaeum (201 Prince St.). The formal program begins at 7 p.m.  She will be joined by winning poets of the 2023 DASHing Words in Motion program, who will have their poems displayed inside the DASH buses and trolleys in April and May. Limited seating will be available, so reservations are required. To make a reservation email arts@alexandriava.gov.

The Office of the Arts, a division of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities, promotes and cultivates the arts in the City of Alexandria. For more information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Arts.  For information on the grants program or to register for a webinar, email arts@alexandriava.gov.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact Cherylanne.colton@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.5565, Virginia Relay 711.