Poets Reading Poetry

Whiskey Girl joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for an episode that is as silly as it is serious! Whiskey Girl is a Washington, DC-based blogger, self-published author, spoken word artist and single mother with a full-time professional career in the health field. She lends her unique voice and perspective to her own WG's Embrace the Crazy blog. In addition to writing, her true passions include public work and serving as a mouthpiece to address mental health issues within the black community. Follow Whiskey Girl on Instagram: @WhiskeyInTheCity Follow Dwayne Lawson-Brown on Instagram: @CrochetKingpin

Dominic “Nerd” McDonald is a young Black Entrepreneur and Spoken Word artist from various cities in Los Angeles, California but currently living in the Southeast sector of Washington D.C. giving him the self-proclaimed name of the "Bi-Coastal Poetry Playboy". He has put his views on growing up in the inner city between two households, Hip Hop music, being a social outcast, college experiences, and more on paper and created everything from screen plays to magazine articles. His passion comes from serving the community, especially through the arts. By writing from his heart and what he sees and hears, he hopes to be a “change agent” to the unheard. He plans to travel spreading his creativity and influence to those who may receive his messages as well as manage and mentor others who decide to walk the same path. He was the winning Finalist of the 2022 D.C. Poet Project sponsored by Day Eight Publishing and hosts his own open mic called "Refresh Open Mic" here in the District.  Nerd joins Dwayne Lawson-Brown to talk poetry, west coast vibes, and building a scene that nurtures your nerdy nature. Follow Nerd The Poet on IG: @NerdThePoet Follow Dwayne Lawson-Brown on IG: @CrochetKingpin

PAGES matam (They/he) is a genderqueer med-school dropout turned award-winning multi-hyphenate born and raised in Cameroon, Central Africa. A multi-lingual pleasure advocate and agent of imagination, they love battle horror anime and fried plantains as much as crafting work centering Queer Black liberation fueled by Toni Morrison's words: “the function of freedom is to free someone else.” www.pagesmatam.com | twitter.com/@pagesofle  Pages joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown to discuss masculinity, style, mourning, and Nintendo! Special thanks to the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Solid State Books, and Crochet Kingpin Designs.

"I cannot swim, but I am a fierce swimmer of my poems" - Regie Cabico This episode was a treat to record. A treasure trove of quotes and insight - Chatting with Regie Cabico is always a gift. With episode 7 we are celebrating queer life, the many places poetry can lead you, and the joy of new works. We even got a taste of Regie's forthcoming collection, A Rabbit In Search of a Rolex. Listen, Subscribe, and Share! About Regie Cabico: Regie Cabico is a spoken word pioneer having won The Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam and later taking top prizes in three National Poetry Slams. Television credits include TEDx, 2 seasons of HBO's Def Poetry Jam, and NPR's Snap Judgement. Mr. Cabico will perform his first solo performance show for young audiences, Mangos To Apples Tumbling Tumbling from A Filipino Rainbow, at The National Theater in the summer of 2023. His next collection of poetry, A Rabbit In Search of a Rolex will be released September 2023 by Day Eight Press. He is the publisher and producer of Capturing Fire Press and resides in Washington, DC.

Camilo Montoya (never Cam!) is a man of talents. A musician, videographer, activist, and poet - Camilo speaks with a compassion and drive that shows he's lived a life. Camilo and Dwayne discuss poetry and the power to build bridges while calling out oppression and aggressions. Also, a young child came on stage and grabbed a truck. Anything can happen with live recording! Follow Rasheed on instagram - @SliceOfCamilo Follow Dwayne Lawson-Brown on all social media - @CrochetKingpin Subscribe to this podcast and feel free to rate us! -Dwayne

Episode #5 - The Capricorn Mind Meld Rasheed Copeland is many things. Father, poet, performer, fashion icon, chef, learner on all fronts... I could go on. There is a reason why this episode in one of the longest in the Poets Reading Poetry series and why Rasheed in the guest for National Poetry Month. Rasheed and I go beyond the trappings of poetry to discuss masculinity and accountability, the importance of checking self in your writing, family influence in the poetic process, and from where his incredible sense of style stems. Follow Rasheed on instagram and twitter - @SheedEmilio Follow Dwayne Lawson-Brown on all social media - @CrochetKingpin Subscribe to this podcast and feel free to rate us! -Dwayne

Episode #4: A Rainbow Flies Over The Southside Season 2 jumps into Women's History Month with 2 Chill Phyl joining our host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown to talk Washington DC, finding your creative voice, and remaining authentic in the face of adversity! 2 Chill Phyl is a poet and performer dedicated to leaving audiences in a better space that she found them. Follow 2 Chill Phyl on Instagram at @2ChillPhyl and @PhylFeels This podcast supported by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Solid State Books, Day Eight Publishing, and CrochetKingpin.com

Episode #3: Of Laughter and Light Season 2 continues with Alexa Patrick joining our host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown to talk creative outlets, finding light while grieving, and her new collection of poetry! Alexa Patrick is a poet and vocalist from Connecticut. She is a Cave Canem fellow and Tin House alumna. She has also been cast in the featured role of Unsung in We Shall Not Be Moved, an opera under the direction of Bill T. Jones. You may find Alexa's work published in The Quarry, The Rumpus, CRWN Magazine, and The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 2: Black Girl Magic. Follow Alexa Patrick on Instagram: @AlexaLaurel Learn More About Alexa: https://www.alexapatrick.com/ This podcast supported by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Solid State Books, Day Eight Publishing, and CrochetKingpin.com

Season 2: Episode 2 - Electric Boogaloo! Season 2 continues with Rebecca Bishophall taking the stage to share poetry, talk family, and speak on the joy of karaoke! Rebecca Bishophall is a DC Native, mother, and author of No Sweat: Poems From An American Youth and co-author of Breaking The Blank, written with Dwayne Lawson-Brown. Joined by a live audience - Dwayne and Rebecca bring friendship to the forefront in this fun episode. Follow Rebecca Bishophall on Twitter: @RBizzle0520 This podcast supported by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Solid State Books, Day Eight Publishing, and CrochetKingpin.com

Season 2: The Poets Write Back! The Season 2 opener features Poet, Rocker, and Educator, Kenny Carroll III! Born and raised in DC, Kenny Carroll III served as the 2017 DC Youth Poet Laureate. He is a Sarah Lawrence and Watering Hole Fellow. His work is published in or forthcoming from The Split This Rock Quarry, Mixed Mag, Hill Rag, Beltway Quarterly, and more. Kenny joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown and a live audience and Solid State Books in Washington DC! The energy is electric and the poetry is powerful! Follow Kenny Carroll III on Instagram: @KennyC113 Follow Dwayne on various social media platforms: @CrochetKingpin This podcast is supported by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, Solid State Books, Day Eight Publishing, and CrochetKingpin.com

Butterfly Free is a survivor - paving the way for others to share their truth with bravery and without apology. Join Butterfly Free and host, Dwayne Lawson-Brown for poetry, nerdy chat, and a healthy dose of humanity. Support Butterfly Free: Instagram: @Miss_ButterflyFree

Luna The Poet is a beam of light in human form. Dionne “Luna” Tenhue is a DC Native who believes that if your ship doesn't sail in, swim out to meet it. She feels that every dream is attainable if you're willing to put in the work to reach those dreams. Luna has created space to cultivate, enrich, and uplift the spirit of creativity. Luna self-published 2 collections of poetry - “Welcome Me,” and “Remember Me”. Luna's artistry spans far beyond the poetry spectrum. She is also a skilled natural hair stylist operating an in-home salon, an expert crocheter creating unique one-of-a-kind crocheted items, as well as a visual artist using platforms from paint to photography to portray her vision. Real ones know her voice not only from the countless performances she's shared along the eastern seaboard, but as the co-host of the first 4 bonus episodes of this show. Luna is a dream and deserves to be fully celebrated. Support Luna The Poet: Crochet/Fashion Goods - https://th3f33lz.com/ Instagram: @LunaThePoet - @_Th3F33lz_

Tik-Tok Ya Don't Stop is a force for positive change. With poetry equal parts personal and communal - work that aims to reinforce your power while confronting your demons - TiK-Tok is a priceless member of DC's artistic tapestry. In this episode, Tik-Tok joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for poetry and discussion around parenting, mentorship, and confronting your "imposter". Tap in and vibe out! Support Tik-Tok: Instagram - @TikTokYaDontStop

This is one for the ages! Drew Anderson joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown for a conversation on artists and their processes, changes on the DC scene, and nonsensical rap lyrics. A dialogue in verse that moonlights as a celebration of each other. More about Drew Anderson: New Orleans, Louisiana bred (and now District of Columbia based) hip hop artist, slam poet, producer, screenwriter, host, and veteran middle and high school teacher Drew Anderson has continued to innovatively utilize his talent for connecting with audiences big and small via the avenues of art and education. The son of an English teacher, Drew has always gravitated toward writing as a weapon of expression and a tool of informing through entertainment. His explosive performance style and knack for satire have brought him to stages around the globe. Brokeballer.com @SpoofSchool for educational materials. @FromGumboToMumbo for artist stuff. If interested in Dwayne Lawson-Brown's work CrochetKingpin.com

Brandon Douglas, a product of the land known as Washington, DC, began writing raps when he was 12. He later fused poetry and hip-hop to form his secret weapon as a tool of self-expression. Since then, he has opened for Maxwell and the late Gil Scott Heron, and graced stages at the Woolly Mammoth Theater, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Atlas Performing Arts Center, the Phillips Collection, and Howard Theatre. With his artistry, he works to guide others toward positivity, encouraging them to strive to be whole. He is constantly working to grow as an artist as well as a person so that others may be moved to do the same. Brandon and Dwayne discuss creative inspiration, Fortnite dances, and hosting open mics.

*Update: Since this recording, our featured poet is celebrating their fuller self as Amasa. The name used during the recording is a reflection of the time of the recording, but the work shared is still incredibly valid and timely.* In our closing episode of #PrideMonth - Our host Dwayne Lawson-Brown is joined by Arlington County Youth Poet Laureate, Amasa Maleski! Amasa Maleski is a writer, musician, and filmmaker attending high school in Arlington, VA. Their first spoken word performance was at an open mic for their middle school; since then, they have returned to this school to lead poetry workshops. In 2019, they qualified at the countywide level for the Optimist International Oratorical contest. They are an alumna of the University of Virginia's Young Writers' Workshop, and their poetry was recognized at the regional level of the 2021 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Currently, they are serving as Arlington's Youth Poet Laureate of 2021. They was also a member of the 2020 DC Youth Slam Team. Dwayne and Amasa discuss identity, the joy of the DC Youth Poetry Slam Team, and the power of youth voices leading our present and future. Follow Amasa on Instagram: @Amasa.Maleski Follow Dwayne on various social media platforms: @Crochetkingpin This podcast is made possible with support of the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities.

Singer, Songwriter, Poet, all around amazing person, LeeBruh Greene joins Dwayne Lawson-Brown to discuss home, creativity, and his process while sharing poetry exploring love, lust, ad matters of the heart. Support LeeBruh Greene's music: Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Left-Hand-LeeBruh-Explicit-Greene/dp/B07YFMHBRN Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/08SiJKNBLYbLVyKxF4BQdP?si=Gf9P7Dm_T1KeS1rs1fHJXg&dl_branch=1 Check Out LeeBruh's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DXEJGGLfLf5XiJ4XvDHz5?si=FzAdczhDTlmQ965idTzOKw&dl_branch=1 Find Dwayne's Poetry: https://crochetkingpin.com/category/poetry/ https://crochetkingpin.com/books/

Guess what... in this episode... two poets... *whispers* read poetry. In our third episode, host Dwayne Lawson-Brown, is joined by Gowri K, a queer Tamil writer, performing artist, teacher, and lawyer whose family immigrated to the U.S. from Sri Lanka. Her advocacy has addressed animal welfare, the environment, the rights of prisoners and the criminally accused in the U.S., and justice and accountability in Sri Lanka. Gowri is an incredible writer whose publication credits also have publication credits. Gowri and Dwayne discuss the power of poetry as activism, finding joy in the writing process, and explore the connection between poets and lawyers. Follow Gowri K Online: Instagram and Twitter - @GowriMozhi Website - https://notherelong.wordpress.com/ Follow Dwayne Online: Instagram and Twitter - @CrochetKingpin Website - https://crochetkingpin.com/

In this very special episode our host Dwayne Lawson-Brown and featured poet Samantha G not only battle the nerves of sharing intensely personal work, but also battle technology and it's trappings. Content warning: the works shared in this episode discuss varying levels of harm and experiences with memory. Follow and support Samantha G's work on all social media platforms - @SheBeSamanthaG Support the movement - BLKNSPACE.com Follow her on twitch - twitch.tv/SheBeSamanthaG

It's our first official episode! Sarah D Lawson is a DC-based queer writer whose poems are rooted in self, exploring themes of body, love, sexuality and gender. Her work has been featured on Button Poetry and Everyday Feminism, and published by Write Bloody Publishing, FreezeRay Press, and Drunk In A Midnight Choir. She is the founder of the Beltway Poetry Slam in Washington, DC and served as the slam master from 2010-2015. She represented DC on the 2012 Treat Yo Self team at the Southern Fried Poetry Slam, competed at the 2015 Women of the World Poetry Slam, and was the coach of the Madeira High School Louder Than A Bomb team from 2012-2015. Sarah joins host Dwayne Lawson-Brown to kickoff Pride Month, share poetry, and discuss the need for connection and relaxation. Follow Sarah Lawson on various social media outlets: @SlawSpeaks Follow Dwayne Lawson-Brown on various social media outlets: @CrochetKingpin This podcast is supported by the DC Commission of the Arts and Humanities, as well as CrochetKingpin.com