Charlottesville–Right Now: Poet Rita Dove joins Coy Barefoot

1.17.11 Pulitzer-Prize winning Professor of English and Poet Laureate at the University of Virginia Rita Dove joins Coy for a special discussion of poetry. Dove offers a reading of a couple of her own poems- “Testimonial” and “Black Billy Waters, at His Pitch”- amongst an explanation of her words and the roots of her career. Her love of poetry is explored, as are her affinities for music, movement, and dance. Also, in honor of the Martin Luther King holiday, today’s conversation recaps the wonder of King’s ability to galvanize an audience. Dove’s list of honors and accolades is truly remarkable, and here is a chance to hear one of the most notable members of the Charlottesville community speak at length on her career.

Tim Lewis launches The Virginiad

Tim Lewis launched The Virginiad, an epic work of poetry, song, culture, and craft, at a reception in Charlottesville on October 9, 2008. The scope of The Virginiad ranges from First Contact in 1607 to the present day and traces the history of Virginia through the eyes of the common people. Lewis read from his work and took questions from the audience.

Lisa Williams at the New Dominion Bookshop

Lisa Williams, winner of the Rome Prize in Literature, read to an audience at the New Dominion Bookshop on October 1, 2008, from her latest collection of poems, Woman Reading to the Sea. This collection was selected by Joyce Carol Oates for the Barnard Prize.

1:00 “Woman Reading to the Sea”

4:30 “Intoxication at Carmel-by-the-Sea”

7:30 “Horizontally, I Moved

11:30 “Farthest Flame”

14:00 “Jellyfish”

16:30 “Anatomy of a Skylark”

18:30 “Field”

20:00 “Geometry”

21:30 “Bell Tower”

22:30 “Chimes”

24:00 “Suggestive Grove”

Kevin McFadden reads from Hardscrabble

Hardscrabble by Kevin McFaddenOn Friday, April 11, 2008, poet Kevin McFadden spoke to a capacity audience at the New Dominion Bookshop in Charlottesville. McFadden read from his book, Hardscrabble, a Poetry Series Selection of the Virginia Quarterly Review.

McFadden’s poetry delights in wordplay and in finding new meanings in well worn words. Join him as he reads from Hardscrabble.