“Grace’s gift for community-building is legendary, but her attention to poets and their work always feels deeply, preciously personal. Writers across the country have tales to tell of her offering the right word at the right time, and remark on her ability to inspire both those new to poetry and seasoned professionals with the power and beauty of the written word. What is most astonishing to me is how she built this role from scratch: while many other poets and mentors of her stature operate from a base of academic or other institutional support, Grace has carved an independent path out of her genuine and inspiring passion for poetry” — Rose Solari

ASP co-founder and poet Rose Solari will host a talent laden tribute to Maryland’s 10th poet laureate, Grace Cavalieri, this May at the Gaithersburg Book Festival.

As a part of the tribute, Katherine E. Young, former Poet Laureate of Arlington, will speak about the tradition and role of the Poet Laureate in our culture, and why Grace so beautifully suits the post. Reuben Jackson, a jazz schola

r and radio host as well as a poet, will talk about Grace’s groundbreaking work in getting poetry on the radio and Elizabeth Hazen, a young poet and one of many to have been mentored by Grace, will talk about Grace’s tremendous track record of supporting and nurturing other poets and Cavalieri herself will speak about, and share some of her work. (From GBF)

Order Grace’s Legacy Book (a collection of her poetry, prose, and plays) HERE