DCAC’s Poetry Series 2026 at The DC Arts Center (DCAC) – Washington, DC

Next On the Mic

Sunday, January 18, 2026 @ 3:00pm

This month’s Poetry Series begins with an analytical presentation by Dora Malech, “First Order: On Abecedarian Folly and Form,” a lively exploration of how poets have played with alphabetical constraint from ancient order to modern experiment — and what happens when structure gives way to surprise. Following her talk, Simon Schuchat and Dylan Carpenter share readings that move between translation, transformation, and the tender absurdities of language itself. Join us for an afternoon of intellect and invention, where letters become playgrounds and poetry rethinks its own alphabet.

Pictured from left to right: Dora Malech, Simon Schuchat, and Dylan Carpenter

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