Rita Dove

Rita Dove, a former U.S. Poet Laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner, shares her favorite poems by other poets in addition to reading her own work.

The work of Rita Dove exhibits a formal grace with elegant phrasing that glides and dips, displaying an excitement and mastery of the language. Dove is a former U.S. Poet Laureate (1993-1995) and recipient of the 1987 Pulitzer Prize in poetry for her book, Thomas and Beulah. Her most recent poetry collections are Sonata Mulattica and American Smooth, and she is sole editor of The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry. She is Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia. (glyn1977)… (more)

Rita Dove promotes The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry.

Rita Dove, editor of The Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry, makes a special appearance to mark the publication of her landmark anthology. Along with several guest poets, Dove will read from and discuss the highlights of 20th-century American poetry. Co-sponsored by the Poetry Society of America. $10, $7 for students and seniors, free to Poets House Members (rmharris)… (more)

Rita Dove signs The Darker Face of the Earth.

VIP Reception at 7:00; Performance at 8:00. Essential Theatre presents The Darker Face of the Earth by Rita Dove, directed by Betty Hart, opening night reception with Pulitzer Prize Winner, Former U.S. Poet Laureate, playwright Rita Dove. Regional Premiere – This stunning tragic drama takes the ancient Greek legend of Oedipus and re-imagines it on a slave plantation in the American South. Ms. Dove's books will be available before the performance and during intermission for sale by A Cappella Books. Ms. Dove will be available after the performances for a book signing. Tickets may be purchased $30 at the door or online for $28 per person in advance online. (jasbro)… (more)

Rita Dove signs Sonata Mulattica: A Life in Five Movements and a Short Play.

The Georgia Perimeter College 14th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration will take place at the Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 2340 Clifton Springs Rd. Decatur, Georgia. A program highlight is the awarding of the Georgia Perimeter College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. The annual award is given to an individual, corporation and GPC student who contributes to the fulfillment of Dr. King's dream and symbolizes the act of service and dedication to community building and commitment to the empowerment of others. Georgia Perimeter College is proud to host the tradition of recognizing individuals and organizations that keep Dr. King's dream alive. The Mission of the annual Georgia Perimeter College Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration is to honor the legacy of Dr. King through an inspirational program, to promote diversity and tolerance, and to showcase the year-long service activities of our faculty, staff, students and community partners. In addition, the celebration: Recognizes outstanding humanitarian contribution of an individual, corporation and GPC student; Inspires and encourages others, especially youth, to pursue Dr. King's dream of equality; Embraces cultural diversity and the human spirit; Builds relationships and partnerships within the communities we serve; Provides a major opportunity to increase the visibility of the college and the event sponsors; and Reflects, remembers and rededicates individuals and organizations to the ideals of Dr. King. Following the event, Rita Dove will be signing copies of Sonata Mulattica: A Life in Five Movements and a Short Play. If you cannot attend the reading, but would like a signed copy of Sonata Mulattica you may reserve it at http://www.acappellabooks.com/ev_mlk.asp. The 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration program is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call 678-891-2555. (jasbro)… (more)

Rita Dove discusses American Smooth.

The former Poet Laureate of the United States and Virginia and an award-winning poet, makes a special visit to Georgia Perimeter College. The author of many notable volumes of poetry including American Smooth, a short story collection and a novel, Rita Dove will be interviewed by Valerie Jackson during a taping of the program "Between the Lines." Her appearance is free and sponsored by our partner the Writers Institute at GPC as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Chattahoochee Review. (jasbro)… (more)

RITA DOVE reads from Sonata Mulattica: Poems.

(LOCATION: Cindy Pritzker Auditorium) Rita Dove served as Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993 to 1995, the youngest person to hold the title and the first African-American. Dove's lyrical and accessible poetry reflects the author's interest in music and drama, as well as her commitment to social justice and her sensitivity to women's issues. Among her many honors are the Pulitzer Prize in poetry, the Heinz Award in the Arts and Humanities, the National Humanities Medal, and the 2006 Common Wealth Award. Among her many collections are Thomas and Beulah (1986), Mother Love (1995), On the Bus with Rosa Parks (1999), and American Smooth (2004). Dove is Commonwealth Professor of English at the University of Virginia, where she has been teaching since 1989. She was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets in 2006.Her new book, due out this month, is Sonata Mulattica. A book sale and signing will follow the reading. (bookjones)… (more)