This weekend, 826DC students shared their poetry at The Kennedy Center’s “What’s Going On NOW: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye” event!
Behind the Scenes
The students had written new poetry just for this event, all about safety and sanctuary, and what those terms meant to young people today. They had then workshopped the poems here with guest teaching artist Nué, Chicago’s 2020 Youth Poet Laureate and a former 826DC intern.
The Big Weekend
With their poems written, workshopped, and shaped into their final forms… the students were ready to perform. They headed to The Kennedy Center to read their words to the world.
See below for a video of the June 17th performance, also featuring Cristopher Lee, 826DC’s Associate Director of School Programs:
Over the weekend, the students also went on to share the stage with the National Symphony Orchestra and several Grammy and Tony Award-winning artists.
An Unforgettable Experience
Performing at an institution as storied as The Kennedy Center is a big deal, for artists of all ages! 826DC was thrilled to help make that happen for these talented young poets.
Here’s to them, to a weekend they’ll never forget, and to the enduring power of youth voice.