Poetic Beats Honors and Celebrates National Poetry Month with readings and book signings by Michael Newheart, Billye Okera, and Sylvia Dianne Beverly - Patterson "Lady Di"

Poetic Beats Honors and Celebrates National Poetry Month with readings and book signings by Michael Newheart, Billye Okera, and Sylvia Dianne Beverly - Patterson "Lady Di"

(PRWEB) March 28, 2004 --WHEN: Saturday, April 17, 2004
(Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month except for the months of April and June 2004) 5:00 - 7:00PM

WHERE:   Dar Es Salaam Bookstore
        4000 34th St
        

HOSTS: Afrika M.A.Abney "Ashawarrior" and Dar Es Salaam

COORDINATOR: Afrika M.A.Abney "Ashawarrior"

BIOGRAPHIES ON FEATURED POETS/SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS:
Michael Newheart is Associate Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Howard University School of Divinity. His most recent book, Word and Soul, published by The Liturgical Press, is a poetic commentary on the Gospel of John. Michael describes himself as a "poet who has fallen into biblical studies." He lives in Berwyn Heights, Maryland, with his wife Joy and two daughters Anastasia and Miranda. Michael is a member of DC Poets Against the War (www.dcpaw.org) and has two poems published in the DC Poets Against the War Anthology.

Billye Okera is a Native Washingtonian. She has been writing poetry since before her graduation from Ballou High School in Southeast,Washington, DC.. Billye has performed her poetry at such venues as D.C. Rape Crisis Center, House of Ruth, St. Anne's Infant and Maternity Home, Sisterspace and Books, the Urban League Program for Teen Mothers, Iverson Mall, Martin Luther King Library, Market 5 Gallery, Iverson Mall and many others.

She has been published in Myrid Magazine and Cochran's Corner. Billye wrote a weekly column for the South County Current.

She is the founder of Okera Productions and member of Collective Voices (a Washington DC based sisterhood of Black poets who "present powerful,provocative and positive poetry).

Billye is the author of The Mourner's Bench and Other Stations of Weeping & Joy which is published by Speakeasy Publishing and is a joint venture with Okera Productions.She has several poems published in the Experience, Expression and Expansion published by Collective Voices.

Sylvia Dianne Beverly-Patterson, Lady Di", international acclaimed poet and Native Washingtonian. Some of her most memorable performances have been opening for J. California Cooper at the University of the District of Columbia, National Press Building,Awards luncheon sponsored by National Black Media Coalition, private performance for former Ambassador of South Africa for the United States,Franklin Sonn at the South African Embassy, Annual Black Family Reunion,sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women; Las Amigas 40th Anniversary Convention, Museum of African Arts, Smithsonian, Baird Auditorium, Smithsonian, Blackburn Center, Howard University and Lincoln Theater,Washington, D.C. Celebrating Black History Month 2001, along with Collective Voices, she made her broadcast television debut on "Evening Exchange", hosted by Kojo Nnamdi.

Sylvia performed her origingal poetry at the Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), Martin Luther King Library (Washington, DC), Euphoria Ackee Tree Restaurant (Washington, DC), Starbucks Chinatown (Washington, DC), Riverside Baptist Church (Washington, DC) and many other venues.

She is the forthcoming author of Forever in Your Eyes (is a potpourri of poems of love, appreciation and tributes dedicated to Dr. Maya Angelou) and will be published by her new publishing company ' Golden Arts Publishing Co.'

Additionally, each year, along with Collective Voices, she is organizer of the Annual Poetry Extravaganza, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during Black History Month. Sylvia is the organizer and host of an Annual Poetry Festival in Iverson Mall. She is the founder/director of youth poetry group 'Girls and Boys with Hearts' in 1997, (originally named Girls with Hearts). The group was formed with the mission of providing instructions, guidance and opportunities for young girls interested in the literary art of poetry.

Her greatest belief is if you want something done, give it to a busy person".