Busboys Turns 20: Past, Present, FUTURE – A Poetry Showcase
Date and Time
Sep 22, 2025 6:00 pm
Location
14th & V
2021 14th St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009
Sep 22, 2025 6:00 pm
14th & V
📅 Date: Monday, September 22, 2025🕕 Time: 6:00–8:00 PM📍 Location: Busboys and Poets – 14th & V2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
🎟 Tickets: $10 per personAll proceeds will directly support youth poetry programming at Busboys and Poets.
This year marks 20 years of Busboys and Poets, and we’re celebrating the stage that has carried countless voices, truths, and stories since 2005. Join us for a one-night-only Poetry Showcase that weaves together the past, present, and future of our community.
From trailblazers who helped shape the scene, to the powerful voices carrying it forward, this evening will uplift the artistry, activism, and spirit of two decades of Busboys and Poets.
🎤 Regie Cabico – Award-winning poet, theater artist, and pioneer of the spoken word movement🎤 Patrick Washington – Legendary teaching artist and performer who has inspired generations🎤 Sarah Browning – Poet, activist, and co-founder of Split This Rock🎤 And More – including alumni, youth poet-athletes, and surprise special guests who embody the FUTURE
✨ Live performances from poets who shaped the legacy of Busboys and Poets✨ Powerful stories that honor the past and inspire the future✨ Community connection in a space where poetry, art, and activism meet✨ A special 20th Anniversary–themed gift for performers✨ Food, drinks, and celebration at the iconic 14th & V location
🎟 $10 General AdmissionEvery dollar supports youth poetry programming at Busboys and Poets—helping us continue to cultivate the next generation of voices.
Since 2005, Busboys and Poets has been more than a restaurant and bookstore. It has been a home for poets, artists, activists, and dreamers. Named in honor of Langston Hughes—who once worked as a busboy before becoming a world-renowned poet—Busboys has become a cultural hub for truth-telling, healing, and community across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
Come be part of this legacy as we celebrate 20 years of poetry, art, and activism.
Sep 16, 2025 6:00 pm
