DCAC's Poetry Series 2026
About this Event
Next On the Mic: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Program: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Reception: 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Join the Poetry Series for two readings by renowned local poets Donald Illich and K. Lorraine Graham, followed by a lecture by poet, publisher, and essayist James Sherry on poetry, individual cognition, and environmentalism. Illich’s work has been called “whimsical, surreal, and unexpectedly moving,” while Graham’s has been described as “coding these pieces of language, life, as poetry.”
After the readings, stay for an informal reception with drinks, conversation, and book signings, and enjoy the chance to meet the poets.
Pictured from left to right: Donald Illich, K. Lorraine Graham, and James Sherry
About This Series
The DC Arts Center’s Poetry Series launched in 2025 to present poetry in conversation with criticism, scholarship, and philosophy. Building on the legacy of earlier programs like the In Your Ear Series, this new initiative continues DCAC’s decades-long commitment to the literary arts by providing a platform for rigorous, boundary-pushing work. More than a reading series, it’s a space for ideas—for language that challenges, interrogates, and connects. In an era where poetry often lives in isolation, this series brings it back into dialogue and shared community.
The series is held monthly in DCAC’s black box theater, typically on a Sunday. Each hour-long event features two to three creative presentations and one critical/analytical presentation (philosophy, scholarship, history, or criticism). These readings and reflections bridge creative and critical practice and are followed by a happy hour at Roofers Union. Whether you're a longtime reader, creator, or simply poetry-curious, The DC Arts Center’s Poetry Series offers a thoughtful, welcoming entry point into the ongoing work of thinking through language together.
Find out more at https://www.dcartscenter.org/poetry
Agenda
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Program: Analytical Presentation & Poetic Readings
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Reception: Drinks with the Poets in the Galleries
Info: After the readings, stay for an informal reception with drinks, conversation, and book signings, and enjoy the chance to meet the poets.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 12.51
