Walt Whitman Birthplace Association is proud to announce the lineup for its eighth season of its signature series, “Walking With Whitman: Poetry in Performance.” The series features six programs held on seasonal “first Fridays” and consists of a community open mic, a musical interlude, and a poetry performance.
The event launches on March 2 with Scott Hightower and continues on April 6 with Terrance Hayes. John Dorsey concludes the spring season in May. The fall series begins on Oct. 5 with Tom Pickard, followed by Elaine Equi on Nov. 2, and concludes with Steve Dalachinsky on Dec. 7.
Each program begins at 6 p.m. with the open mic, continues with refreshments and a musical interlude by Tom Santoriello & Friends at 7:15, and features the poet performer at 8 p.m. After the poetry reading, the poet offers a Q&A and book signing. “Walking with Whitman” is hosted by WWBA Writer in Residence George Wallace and is sponsored by Poets & Writers.
Hightower, to be featured on March 2, is the author of “Self-evident” (Barrow Street Press, 2012); “Part of the Bargain” (Copper Canyon Press, 2005), winner of the Hayden Carruth Award for New and Emerging Poets; “Natural Trouble” (2003); and “Tin Can Tourist” (2001). He has also published a bilingual collection of poems in Spanish, translated by Natalia Carbajosa. Hightower’s translations of poems by poet Aurora de Albornoz have garnered him a Willis Barnstone Translation Prize. “Tartessos,” his second bilingual collection, is forthcoming. Hightower has taught at Gay Men’s Health Crisis and currently serves as adjunct faculty at NYU ’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study. He lives in New York City and sojourns in Spain.
The “Walking With Whitman” events are open to the public and include discounted tickets for members and students (members $10; non-members $15). For more information about the series and to buy tickets, go to www.waltwhitman.org.
The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site is located at 246 Old Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station.
