Spoken Lessons is a poetic teacher showcase and community forum hosted by Sonya Renee, an internationally acclaimed poet from HBO's Def Poetry Jam. Teachers from area schools will share poetry inspired by classroom experiences. Amy Young, Alexandria's Poet Laureate, will also be reading her work. This event is designed to inspire dialogue between student, parent, teacher, and community, and is part of the Quill Well Poetry Festival organized by Seven City Arts Society.

Visit Sonya Renee's website at myspace.com/sonyareneeisreal. 

to purchase tickets from the NVFAA website.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, Second Thursday Music will open with a poetry reading by Cliff Bernier. Cliff has appeared on the NPR show, The Poet and the Poem from the Library of Congress. Cliff will be accompanied by the Songwriter's Association of Washington's own Ron Goad on percussion. The main event is Flo Anito, a dynamic, young talent who has quickly proven herself a prolific writer of thought provoking jazzy pop. 

Visit floanito.com to hear her music and learn more about Cliff Bernier at cliffbernier.com. 

to purchase tickets from the NVFAA website. 

Amy Young, Alexandria's Poet Laureate, gathers a select group of local poets to mark the conclusion of the City of Alexandria's participation in National Poetry Month. She will be joined by spoken word poet Shelly Bell; 13 of Nazareth; Mary McElveen, former poet laureate of Alexandria; student poets; and others in a casual, interactive atmosphere. Free.  

During the Civil War, the Athenaeum was known as the Bank of the Old Dominion.   The historic site was the Chief Commissary's Office for the Union Army. Built in 1852, this bank served prominent citizens of Alexandria. Even Robert E. Lee did his banking here! As part of the Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the American Civil War in Alexandria, join poet Peter Lattu for a reading of Civil War poems, and poet John "Fin" Finerty who will read original poetry about Civil War events. Plus, enjoy a trio of flutists performing period music. Free