Thanks to all who attended our Community Celebration on Saturday, November 13 in the Union Market neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The Day Eight community of artists, writers, journalists, and poets enjoyed wine and cheese as we celebrated our poetry in the schools poets and educators; book authors; arts writing fellows; faculty in our journalism education programs; featured poets in our reading series; and all those who made these programs possible. Contributors to Day Eight’s forthcoming anthology, The Great World of Days, which includes poems published in Bourgeon between 2007 and 2021 attended, and pre-publication copies of the book were available.
Attendees were required to be vaccinated and vaccination status was confirmed at check-in; the event occurred partially indoors and masked, but largely on a private outdoor space above street level.
Prior to the event, Gregory Luce, one of the editors of Bourgeon, announced Day Eight’s six 2021 Pushcart Prize nominees, and three nominees attended and read their nominated poems. Day Eight’s Puschart nominees include:
- “After Your Suicide, I Do Yoga,” by Jenn Koiter
- “Ava or Noah,” by CL Bledsoe
- “The last time I saw Basra,” by Susan Notar
- “cicada’s hymn,” by Gregory McGreevey
- “Family History,” by Serena Agusto-Cox
- “health is horror,” by Bradley James McElligott
Following brief speeches by poet Regie Cabico and Day Eight founder Robert Bettmann the event concluded with slices of “Day Eight” cake. Thanks to all who attended, and click here to view a full album of images from the event.
Money raised at the event from ticket sales, book sales, and donations will support Day Eight programs in 2022.
