Dear Capturing Fire Tribe,
The horrible, no good, very bad year of 2020 may be over, but we are still dealing with its aftermath in 2021. As we emerge from the wreckage of a pandemic with so much loss of life and disruption to the status quo, where do we go from here. No matter how much we want to return to “normal” we have to realize an uncomfortable truth – “normal” is what brought us here. To move forward we must (re)build a world where we are all free to live, thrive, love, and can stand proudly in the truth of who we are without fear of violence or death. All this must rest on a foundation of equality, equity, and justice for all. But how do we get there? Where do we start? With poetry of course!
So this year we celebrate the 10th Capturing Fire differently. We will not host a slam competition this year. Instead, we have curated a combination of virtual and live poetry events across Washington, DC with a finale in New York City.
On Tuesday, June 22 at 8:00pm, we celebrate the release of The Queer Cookie Cookbook, published by Capturing Fire Press, with a virtual reading hosted by Loyalty Bookstore. The collection of recipes designed by Tyler French is paired with poetry curated by Regie Cabico. The collection features CapFire poets include Patience Sings, Sunu Chandy, Angelique Palmer, Rasha Abdulhadi, Marlena Chertock, Malik Thompson, Danielle Evennou, and more. Click here to register for the reading.
Next, on Thursday, June 24 at 6:30pm stop by YouTube for a virtual evening with Micah the Poet in conversation with Regie Cabico as they celebrate the release of Micah’s book Things No One Else Wants to Say also published by Capturing Fire Press. This event is hosted by DC Public Library in the newly renovated Martin Luther King Main Library. Click here to register.
On Saturday, June 26 at 7:00pm we will gather together IN REAL LIFE for the BRING IN DA RAINBOWS slam poetry reading and music event hosted by the Arts Club of Washington. This night features the iconoclastic slam poets Gayle Danley and Chris August. Both are Individual National Poetry Slam Champions and who have been leaders in the DC slam poetry community for decades. Also featured are Tyler French and Ishanee Chanda. Musical direction by B.E. Farrow. Seating is limited. Tickets are $10 for members, $20 for non-members. This event will sell out, so we encourage you to book your tickets now.
On Tuesday, Jun 29, Regie Cabico closes out Capturing Fire at The Bowery Poetry Club in New York City. Along with Chavisa Woods, he will curate and emcee A Gathering of The Tribes: Gathering the Fire QL featuring poets of Capturing Fire Press: Drew Pisarra, Tyler French, and Micah the Poet. Ticketing information to be announced soon.
Finally, we would like to thank all our sponsors and community partners who have supported and nurtured Capturing Fire over years including the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC Public Library, Arts Club of Washington, Woolly Mammoth Theater, Busboys and Poets, Split This Rock, The DC Center, and Studio 3440.
While we hope you are all thriving these unprecedented times, you cannot stop rainbows from shimmering, nor poetry from pontificating, nor queer hearts from beating wildly with our truths.
With Gratitude and Universal Blessings to All,
Regie Cabico, Founder and Artistic Director
and
Sasha Sinclair, Communications Director
PS: Be on the lookout as Capturing Fire produces a performance by The New York Neo-Futurists for Gay Uncle Day Weekend, August 8, 2021.
