Notes After Flat Langston Gate

Note: This was originally posted on Facebook as an open statement to local DC writers.  In the hopes of being transparent and fostering continuing dialogue, I've posted it here. -Dan Vera

"Flat Langston Gate" [link, link] serves as a reminder of the continuing need to foster and support a wide range of venues in this city. Busboys has undoubtedly been an enormous boon to this city's poetic community. They should be (and do get) applauded for that. But it's neither the only story, the only ideal, or the only word.   As in biodiversity, poets thrive in complex ecologies. We have one of the most vibrant poetry communities in the country and we need to support current venues and explore the creation of multiple venues in this city. To build on the model that Busboys has successfully used or explore other models.  Everything should be on the table.  This is a great opportunity to have a conversation about venues, access, compensation for the city's poetry community.

I've tagged a few folks to this note --- DC writers as I think this is a DC conversation.  I do hope this can be the beginning of  a constructive conversation.

A few thoughts:

• what exactly is just compensation?  We shouldn't be afraid to have this conversation. What could it look like? As some of the conversation on facebook threads noted, this is a bit of an unknown for many.  On one of the threads a writer, who is also a not-for-profit arts exec, asked the question and it still hasn't been answered.  This conversation has to be more than a demand.  It has to include a real discussion of how we raise funds for such a setup.  How does this function in private settings (a library, a community center) and commercial settings (bar, restaurant, gallery).  Grants?  Pass the hat?  Suggested entry fee?

• Underserved areas I think it'd be helpful to see a map of the city and plot out the location of current reading series.  Are we too focused in NW?  What about the other quadrants of the city?  How could we help locate venues and seek out "pioneer hosts" for such readings.  What would it take to support these readings?

• one example: the Palabra Pura reading series in Chicago grew out of a thoughtful conversation about what communities in Chicago were being underserved.  One of the answers was the Latino community and that bilingual poetry series was the result.  What are the communities that are underserved in DC?

• training for hosts - I can think of a few people who would love to sponsor readings but don't know what is involved in it -- the basic mechanics involved in setting it up, publicizing it and so on.  The mystery can be overwhelming and debilitating to people wanting to host a series.  Perhaps we can find a space and time to teach folks who are interested in hosting reading series.

• how do we coordinate information about readings that are happening in the city?  This is a conversation I've had with a few people who host readings.  We've talked about sharing a google calendar that could be posted in various places online.  This could be a very good thing.  We need to just move on it.

I can think of a number of other ideas but I hope this is a good beginning.  And while this setting may not be ideal, perhaps we could use this as a starting point for an actual non-virtual meeting about this.   Would really love to hear your ideas.

- Dan