DCAC's Poetry Series 2026

The DC Arts Center’s Poetry Series presents poetry alongside criticism, scholarship, and philosophy

Next On the Mic: Sunday, April 12, 2026

Program: 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Reception: 4:00 – 5:00 PM

The D.C. Arts Center’s Poetry Series is pleased to host Brazilian poet Ricardo Domeneck on his U.S. tour for First Epistle to the Amphibians, joined by the book’s translator, Chris Daniels. The evening will open with a lecture by Professor Vivaldo Santos, Director of the Portuguese Program at Georgetown University, who will situate the work in its aesthetic, linguistic, and cultural context.

The evening will also feature poet Chris Nealon of Johns Hopkins University, a finalist for the 2020 National Book Critics Circle Award.

After the readings, stay for an informal reception with drinks, conversation, and book signings, and enjoy the chance to meet the poets.

Pictured from left to right: Vivaldo Santos, Chris Nealon, Ricardo Domeneck, and Chris Daniels.

About This Series

The DC Arts Center’s Poetry Series launched in 2025 to present poetry in conversation with criticism, scholarship, and philosophy. Building on the legacy of earlier programs like the In Your Ear Series, this new initiative continues DCAC’s decades-long commitment to the literary arts by providing a platform for rigorous, boundary-pushing work. More than a reading series, it’s a space for ideas—for language that challenges, interrogates, and connects. In an era where poetry often lives in isolation, this series brings it back into dialogue and shared community.

The series is held monthly in DCAC’s black box theater, typically on a Sunday. Each hour-long event features two to three creative presentations and one critical/analytical presentation (philosophy, scholarship, history, or criticism). These readings and reflections bridge creative and critical practice and are followed by a happy hour at Roofers Union. Whether you're a longtime reader, creator, or simply poetry-curious, The DC Arts Center’s Poetry Series offers a thoughtful, welcoming entry point into the ongoing work of thinking through language together.

Find out more at https://www.dcartscenter.org/poetry