Saturday, February 21 | 1:00–5:00 PM (Chess player check-in begins at 12:30 PM)Poetic Checkmate brings together competitive chess and spoken word for an exciting afternoon of strategy, creativity, and community.The event features a 4-round, 10-minute blitz chess tournament (unrated) with a $200 prize fund, alongside a live poetry slam competition with a $100 winner-takes-all prize, (more…)

Join us for a powerful Poetry Slam in honor of Black History Month at Busboys and Poets Anacostia.Spoken word and poetry are deeply rooted in Black history. Long before textbooks and traditional archives, stories, resistance, celebration, and truth lived through voice — from African griots to freedom songs, from the Civil Rights Movement to today’s (more…)

A Busboys and Poetry Event hosted this week by Roscoe BurnemsDouglas Powell (Roscoe Burnems) is a spoken-word artist, teacher, husband, and father. He has dedicated his life to poetry, education, and entertainment, and a way to blend the three worlds together. Speaking candidly on everything from bullying to equality, from depression to oppression, what it (more…)

A Busboys and Poetry Event hosted this week by Glo ShinesGlo Shines is a poet, emcee, host and supplier of vibes. Hip -Hopper since a toddler, Glo composed her first raps at the age of 4. Poetry and spoken word came many years later. As a performer she brings an intangible energy that engages and (more…)