Poetic Beats - National Poetry Month

Mar25th, 2004 (Washington DC)

by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney

    


     Poetic Beats takes place every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month with a few exceptions at 5:00pm. It features various poets, authors, special guests, poetry open mic, conversations, and much more.

     Poetic Beats is held at Dar Es Salaam Bookstore (4000 34th St Mt. Rainier, MD). The event begins at 5:00pm with a small cover charge for adults, free for children. It is hosted by Afrika Midnight Asha Abney "Ashawarrior" and Dar Es Salaam.

     Poetic Beats has featured poets and special guests such as Big Head, DC Poets Against the War, Darlene Brown, DC Tiger, Kenneth Lee, Anthony Age,Martin A. Bryant, Lala, Just Lori, and Kim Roberts are just to name a few.

     On April 17, 2004, three phenomenal poets and special guests for will join the event entitled: Poetic Beats. They are Michael Newheart, Billye Okera, and Sylvia Dianne Beverly - Patterson.

     Michael Newheart is Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Howard University School of Divinity. His most recent book, Word and Soul, published by The Liturgical Press, is a poetic commentary on the Gospel of John. Michael describes himself as a "poet who has fallen into biblical studies." He lives in Berwyn Heights, Maryland, with his wife Joy and two daughters Anastasia and Miranda. Michael is a member of DC Poets Against the War (www.dcpaw.org) and has two poems published in the DC Poets Against the War Anthology. Contact Information: mnewheart@howard.edu

     Billye Okera is a Native of Washington DC. She has been writing poetry since before her graduation from Ballou High School in Southeast, Washington, DC.. Billye has performed her poetry at such venues as D.C. Rape Crisis Center, House of Ruth, St. Anne's Infant and Maternity Home, Sisterspace and Books, the Urban League Program for Teen Mothers, Iverson Mall, Martin Luther King Library, Market 5 Gallery, Iverson Mall and many others.

     She has been published in Myrid Magazine and Cochran's Corner. Billye wrote a weekly column for the South County Current.

     She is the founder of Okera Productions and member of Collective Voices (a Washington DC based sisterhood of Black poets who "present powerful, provocative and positive poetry).

     Billye is the author of The Mourner's Bench and Other Stations of Weeping & Joy which is published by Speakeasy Publishing and is a joint venture with Okera Productions. She has several poems published in the Experience, Expression and Expansion published by Collective Voices. Contact Information:billyeokera@aol.com

     Sylvia Dianne Beverly-Patterson, "Lady Di", international acclaimed poet and Native Washingtonian.

     Some of her most memorable performances have been opening for J. California Cooper at the University of the District of Columbia, National Press Building, Awards luncheon sponsored by National Black Media Coalition, private performance for former Ambassador of South Africa for the United States, Franklin Sonn at the South African Embassy, Annual Black Family Reunion, sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women; Las Amigas 40th Anniversary Convention, Museum of African Arts, Smithsonian, Baird Auditorium, Smithsonian, Blackburn Center, Howard University and Lincoln Theater, Washington, D.C. Celebrating Black History Month 2001, along with Collective Voices, she made her broadcast television debut on "Evening Exchange", hosted by Kojo Nnamdi.

     Sylvia performed her original poetry at the Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), Martin Luther King Library (Washington, DC), Euphoria Ackee Tree Restaurant (Washington, DC), Starbucks Chinatown (Washington, DC), Riverside Baptist Church (Washington, DC) and many other venues.

     She is the forthcoming author of Forever in Your Eyes (is a potpourri of poems of love, appreciation and tributes dedicated to Dr. Maya Angelou) and will be published by her new publishing company ' Golden Arts Publishing Co.'

     Additionally, each year, along with Collective Voices, she is organizer of the Annual Poetry Extravaganza, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during Black History Month. Sylvia is the organizer and host of an Annual Poetry Festival in Iverson Mall. She is the founder/director of youth poetry group 'Girls and Boys with Hearts' in 1997, (originally named Girls with Hearts). The group was formed with the mission of providing instructions, guidance and opportunities for young girls interested in the literary art of poetry.

     Her greatest belief is "if you want something done, give it to a busy person". Contact information syladydi@aol.com

     Each of these poets and special guests will read from their books or forthcoming publications. If you have not had the pleasure of hearing these poets and special guests perform, then I urge you to come out on Saturday, April 17, 2004, and these phenomenal poets and special guests in accomplishing their mission. They touch on a variety of subjects and will inspire you in many ways.

     You do not want to miss this event on Saturday, April 17, 2004, as we honor and celebrate National Poetry Month.

     Dar Es Salaam Bookstore under the operation of Brother Hodari Abdul- Ali and has been in operation since 1995.Contact Information: 301-209-0010 or brotherhodari@hotmail.com

     For more information on Poetic Beats send an email to aashawarrior@yahoo.com