Poems of Provocation & Witness: March 22-25, 2012

Festival Program and Schedule

Split This Rock Poetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness invites poets, writers, activists, and dreamers to Washington, DC for four days of poetry, community building, and creative transformation. The festival features readings, workshops, panel discussions, youth programming, parties, activism—opportunities to speak out for justice, build connection and community, and celebrate the many ways poetry can act as an agent for social change.

All venues are accessible. Please let us know what your needs are.

Click the links below to view each day's program. June Jordan-themed events are denoted with three asterisks (***).

Wednesday, March 21

6:30-8:30 pm       KICK-OFF READING AND RECEPTION

Join us for a kick-off reading and reception in the Langston Room of Busboys and Poets—2021 14th Sreet NW.

Featured poet Kathy Engel, plus Sam Hamill, Alexis DeVeaux, and Adrienne Torf—all friends of June Jordan—will give a brief, informal reading of June's work. Plus, greetings from Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin.

Then: Visit registration to pick up your badge! Wednesday evening you may do so at at Busboys and Poets. From Thursday to Saturday, the registration table will be in the lobby of the Thurgood Marshall Center (1826 12th Street NW) from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Your badge is your ticket to all events and readings. The festival is completely sold out, so without a badge you won't be able to gain access to these events. Please wear your badge at all times.

Get Inspired for Split This Rock 2012 with Videos from 2010!

At this year's Split This Rock Poetry Festival, we will celebrate the contributions June Jordan made to poetry, feminism, and society.

Every day of the festival will feature panel discussions, workshops, and poetry readings that honor her legacy as a politically engaged teacher and poet. Events will discuss the soul-baring truths about sexual assault; how to respond to violence with courage, tenderness, and community; and Jordan's approach to children's literature, feminism, and environmental justice.

To view clips of such fab poets as Martín Espada, Andrea Gibson, Jeffrey McDaniel, Lenelle Moïse, Patricia Smith, and more, check us out on YouTube.