The 44th Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Benefit reading was another celebration of The Poetry Project’s legacy, its future, collective agency, multigenerational (and inter-disciplinary) dialogue, and the present moment in poetry and the arts in NYC. Curating this high-energy mega-event for the past eleven years has been one of the highlights
of my time as Director, and I will miss it. I do look forward to experiencing it next year as an audience member camped out with some cushions in the back. January 1 was a frigid Monday. Nonetheless you came out in droves and helped us raise $24,000! These funds help us continue our work, and make sure poets get paid for theirs. Thank you so much to our 140 volunteers (the most we have ever had), to just as many performers whose talent, humor, and vulnerability moved me, and reminded me to pay close attention to the ever present forces that try to convince us to retreat into more solipsistic realms. Lastly, I want to particularly acknowledge Poetry Project staff Nicole, Laura, and Simone for their creativity, stamina, and acumen behind the scenes. We have a great late winter season planned for you, and stay tuned for an equally exciting spring that will include a 3-day symposium, a master class with Ed Roberson, and another reading for the Racial Imaginary. Happy 2018 to all.
Stacy Szymaszek