African-American Poetry, Past and Present

The Triangle poetry community has historically been recognized as a powerhouse in providing an elite level of innovative performers on the national scene. In celebration of Black History Month, on February 19, the Orange County Arts Commission presents “African-American Poetry, Past & Present.” The event features several up-and-coming poets on the scene, including former youth-slam competitor Ashley Harris, whose debut chapbook, If the Hero of Time Was Black, wove themes from classic video game The Legend of Zelda into incisive racial commentary, and was published this past summer. The performance also features Fred Joiner, a two-time winner of the Larry Neal Award for Poetry, among others. The event is free and open to the public; come for an evening of melodic, Southern-fried poetry at the library. —Kevin J. Rowsey II