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Grace Cavalieri talks Buddhism with "Lion's Roar Magazine" Grace Cavalieri, MD's 10th Poet Laureate and a practicing Buddhist, talks about her spiritual journey with "Lion's Roar Magazine." GRACE CAVALIERI, poet, playwright, author, educator, poet laureate, radio personality, and Buddhist. Grace Cavalieri recently spoke to Lion's Roar magazine, an English-language Buddhist publication, about how her spiritual journey in Buddhism has dovetailed with her artistic journey in poetry. Grace started practicing Buddhism after her partner of 60 years, Ken, passed away. She was named as … [Read more...]

"Poetry in Motion." An Introduction to Grace Cavalieri Grace Cavalieri has been publishing poetry for over 50 years. But how did she get her start? In this weeklong series we will be discussing Grace's life and work in detail. Today, we discuss her origin as a poet. Like many feminist writers of the midcentury, Grace Cavalieri’s artistic origin coincided with her husband’s deployment. It was the mid 1960s, Grace’s husband, airforce pilot, and, later, sculptor Kenneth Flynn, was deployed on shore duty in Annandale, Virginia and Grace, for the first time, found time on her hands. … [Read more...]

Grace Cavalieri Receives an ANNIE Award for Literary Arts MD Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri just recieved an ANNIE award for her contributions to literary arts. It adds to a long list of literary accomplishments. Grace Cavalieri Holding up the Anne Arundel County Arts Council Award for Literary Arts or ANNIE At 87 years old, poet Grace Cavalieri shows scant signs of slowing down. Yesterday, on a rainy coastal night in Annapolis, Maryland, Grace was presented with a 2019 ANNIE award for her immense contributions to the literary arts in Anne Arundel County. WYPR's Andy Bienstock … [Read more...]

Grace Cavalieri’s QUILTING THE SUN “Shines at Theater For The New City” NYC's Theater for the New City opens Grace Cavalieri's play "Quilting the Sun" to rave reviews. (directed by Shela Xoregos) "Step aside, Joseph; your amazing technicolor dreamcoat has some serious competition." Derek McCracken Art from Theater for the New City The Maryland Poet Laureate's 21st play, "Quilting the Sun"-- which was presented at the Smithsonian Institution and received its world premiere at Centre Stage, S.C.--is currently being performed by New York's amazing Theater for the New City. The … [Read more...]

on July 13th, Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri will be at the Flying Camel in Hagerstown accompanied by jazz trombonist, Cam Millar.   "Cam's trombone playing includes work with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, the Banff Centre Opera Orchestra, the Count Basie Orchestra, and the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary; in backup bands for Doc Severinson, The O’Jays, and Rosemary Clooney; with Vince Giordiano’s Nighthawks and the Lew Anderson Big Band in NYC; jazz festival appearances with Maria Schneider and Bob Brookmeyer; playing for touring Broadway shows in Canada (Camelot, … [Read more...]

Maryland's tenth poet laureate, the incomparable Grace Cavalieri, is to lead a poetry workshop at Hagerstown's newest literary cafe and piano bar, The Flying Camel. For more info contact theflyingcamelcafe@gmail.com … [Read more...]

Grace Cavalieri among 13 Poets Laureate to Receive over $1 million in Grant Money Recently Grace Cavalieri was one of thirteen Poets Laureate to receive (divided) over $1 million in grant money. Big news for Maryland's Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri. The American Academy of poets announced on Wednesday that an appropriation of $1,050,000 (made possible by the Andrew W. Mellon foundation) would be made available for thirteen of America's most distinguished Poets Laureate including Grace herself. The funds are, according to AP, for the support of civic programs in the poet's communities which … [Read more...]

Craving More Grace? Check out the Poet Laureate on the NEA's "Art Works" Listen to Grace Cavalieri on the NEA's Podcast "Art Works" Grace Cavalieri recently stopped by the NEA's official podcast, "Art Works", to read poetry and talk hardship. Craving more Grace Cavalieri? Of course you are! Maryland's newest Poet Laureate is active, about, and spreading the word; that is, her words. Even though Poet Laureate is largely an honorary position (it is unpaid, and one is "honored" more with a title than a job much like a knighthood or a medal of freedom), Grace Cavalieri seems determined to become … [Read more...]

Grace Cavalieri's Interview on Midday with Tom Hall The Poet Laureate talks with the always informed Tom Hall about poetics, politics, and doing th work of art "If I say something that I believe in the deepest part of me and you read it and you say 'oh my gosh I have always thought that but never said it,' what has happened between us? We have made a contact, that’s a bridge, and the world is less lonely for it." -Grace Cavalieri Grace Cavalieri stopped by WYPR last week for an interview on "Midday" with Tom Hall. The Poet Laureate and author of ASP's … [Read more...]

Remembering W. S. Merwin Grace Cavalieri's Two Interviews with the Literary Giant On Friday we lost one of America's greatest literary voices. W.S. Merwin was 91 years old. Grace's first interview with W.S. Merwin: Grace and Merwin 1 Grace's second interview with W.S. Merwin: Grace and Merwin 2   On Friday we lost a true hero of American poetry. Dignified from beginning to end, W.S. Merwin was not only one of America's finest literary exports, but one of its most prolific (an almost impossible feat for any career artist). During his life, Merwin published over 50 books of … [Read more...]

"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 … [Read more...]

Mikaela Lefrak Examines the Life of Maryland Poet Laureate, Grace Cavalieri In a new piece for the WAMU website, Mikaela Lefrak takes a deep dive into the career and day to day of Maryland's 10th Poet Laureate. The beloved Grace Cavalieri "contains multitudes" according to Mikaela Lefrak in her newest article from WAMU taking a look at the life and career of the 10th Poet Laureate. And Ms. Lefrak treats her subject with the due respect of a life which cannot be covered succinctly in 500 words. She delivers a reverent tourists' view of Grace Cavalieri's life, hitting the big things: … [Read more...]

Listen to Grace Cavalieri on the Kojo Nnamdi Show Grace Cavalieri's interview on the Kojo Nnamdi show is now up on the WAMU website Grace Cavalieri's recent stop at NPR's The Kojo Nnamdi show is now streamable HERE Over a substantive 22 minutes, listen to Grace talk about poetry, inspiration, and her plans as the 10th Maryland Poet Laureate. Other Voices, Other Lives: A Grace Cavalieri Collection is a selection of poems, plays, and interviews drawn from over forty years of work by one of America’s most beloved and influential women of letters. The author of 23 books of poetry and 26 … [Read more...]

Grace Cavalieri Set to Appear on the Kojo Nnamdi Show Jan 23rd Recently Governor Larry Hogan announced that Grace Cavlieri, poet, playwright, and long time host of NPR's The Poet and The Poem, would become Maryland's next Poet Laureate, succeeding the great Stanley Plumly. Now after being inaugurated, one of her first stops is The Kojo Nnamdi show. Kojo Nnamdi has been hosting his show on WAMU for 20 years, so he and Grace are kindred spirits in that regard--Grace has hosted The Poet and The Poem for over 40 years. All in all the intrigue is laid: a long-time radio host and poetry … [Read more...]

A Short Thought on Grace's Interview with Jorie Graham (by Writer, Nin Andrews) Nin Andrews is a poet. Most recently of Miss August which is out now from the awesome Cavankerry Press and most notably of the collection, Why God is a Woman. Nin Andrews is also a fan of Grace Cavalieri's interview with Jorie Graham which she recently extolled over on ITN. Grace interviewed Jorie as a part of her NPR-affiliated show The Poet and The Poem. Listen to Grace's full interview with Jorie Graham HERE   … [Read more...]

2019 Maryland Poet Laureate Grace Cavalieri Reads "Work is My Secret Lover" “We’re honored to have Grace Cavalieri join the distinguished ranks of Maryland’s Poet Laureates. Her lifelong passion for and dedication to poetry and the arts is nothing short of astounding, and I’m confident Marylanders will enjoy her readings and develop a greater understanding and appreciation for poetry through her service.” - Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan Governor Hogan recently announced Maryland's ninth Poet Laureate to be the incomparable Grace Cavalieri. In his press conference regarding the announcement … [Read more...]

Featured Poetry: "Bluebirds" by Grace Cavalieri Grace Cavalieri is the epitome of cool. She's been a publishing poet for over 40 years and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, even now she grows and develops, her style reforms, and, like Donald Hall, she's forgone looking back entirely and instead looks within. This idea is very well suited to the goals and organization of ASP's Legacy books. It is so in Grace's Legacy Book, Other Voices, Other Lives, which is a testament not just to a broad range, but to an adaptive, keen, and wonderfully empathic heart. Grace Cavalieri is goals. On a … [Read more...]

Listen to Grace Cavalieri Interview Robert Pinsky Grace Cavalieri is known widely for her stirring and empathic poetry, collected in her Legacy work Other Voices, Other Lives, but did you know that she is also an impressive interviewer? On her NPR show, The Poet and The Poem, she interviews significant poets from the US and around the world, with an aim of interpreting their lives through their poetry. In her tenure on the program, she has interviewed 9 US Poets Laureate (you can find a list with these archived interviews HERE), including the incomparable Robert Pinsky. You can find the … [Read more...]

Featured Poetry: "Toytown" by Grace Cavalieri The name of Grace Cavalieri's legacy book, Other Voices, Other Lives, is not only a poetic turn, but a statement of intent. In her Legacy Book there are several sections in 3rd person omnipotent which aim to breathe the same air as famous women who have suffered adversity. Tragic figure Anna Nicole Smith, feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, Cora from William Carlos William's Kora in Hell. All in all they are an admix of Grace Cavalieri's poetic life, brought together in one beautiful volume; so, perhaps, we might figure that Anna Nicole Smith … [Read more...]