Press Release
This year Poetry Downtown proudly honors the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe with a four-city celebration. The festivities will take place in Boston on September 27, New York and Philadelphia on September 28, and Baltimore on September 29. On September 28, the second day of this multi-city poetry festival, John Gruesser from the Poe Studies Association will open the poetry festival in Philadelphia.
Lecture Edgar Allan Poe in Pop Culture
At 7:00 pm at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, John Gruesser will discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s writings and their legacy in popular culture, particularly detective fiction, Gothic literature, film, television, and popular music, in his entertaining and informative lecture “Quoth the Raven: ‘Eat My Shorts’: The Literature and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe.”
Topics
This lecture will cover a wide array of topics, providing insight into Poe’s work and its impact today. Topics to be discussed include:
-Poe’s Influence on Poetry
-Poe’s Influence on Detective and Mystery Writing
-Poe’s Influence on Horror Fiction
-Poe in Film
-Poe in Television
-Poe in Popular Music
-Poe in Sports
-Poe in Advertising and Merchandising
John Gruesser
A former president of the Poe Studies Association, which named him an Honorary Member in 2020, John Gruesser is the author of Edgar Allan Poe and His Nineteenth-Century American Counterparts (Bloomsbury 2019), winner of the Patrick F. Quinn Award for the best monograph about Poe. In addition, he organized and co-edited the 2023 special issue of the journal Poe Studies on the topic African American Writers Respond to Poe.
Philadelphia Ethicial Society
The Philadelphia Ethical Society is a humanist community dedicated to ethical living and social justice. Founded in 1885, the society promotes ethical values and principles through education, community service, and public advocacy. The Philadelphia Ethical Society is housed in a historic building located at 1906 South Rittenhouse Square. Its location on Rittenhouse Square places it at the heart of Philadelphia’s cultural and social life, making it an accessible and prominent landmark for both members and visitors.
All events in Philadelphia
September 28
7.00-8.00 pm Lecture Edgar Allan Poe in Popular Culture
See above
8.00-10.00 pm Poetry Downtown Philadelphia Readings
Featuring readings from a maximum of 13 selected poets.
10.00-11.00 pm PATCH and Ultimate Typewriter Showdown
Each day concludes with PATCH (Poetry and Tales Cocktail Hour), where we also host the Ultimate Typewriter Showdown.
September 29
8.00-11.00 am Poetry Cycle Philadelphia
Join us for a tour of all Edgar Allan Poe-related sites in Philadelphia.
* all events are free
Boston – New York – Philadelphia – Baltimore
As mentioned earlier, the 4th Poetry Downtown Festival will take place in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. This year’s festival promises a rich array of events and culinary delights, including 12 distinct dishes, four poetry readings, four lectures, three poetry cycles, three Ultimate Typewriter Countdowns, one talk show, and one radio play. Poets will journey on the Poetry Train, traveling between cities and towns across eight states from Boston to Baltimore. This unique and affordable experience offers poets the chance to network and collaborate, connecting poets in twenty different cities and towns.
Poetry Train
Erik van Loon envisions leasing a dedicated Poetry Train by 2025, equipped with restaurant, sleeper, disco, bar, and library cars. This year, he aims to welcome 40 poets aboard the Poetry Train, further expanding this unique festival. Support Erik’s American dream and help unite the country through the power of poetry. Visit https://poetrydowntown.com/crowdfunding for more information on how to become a sponsor.
More info:
4th Poetry Downtown Festival
Erik van Loon
+316 E VAN LOON / +316 3 826 5666
www.poetrydowntown.com
poetrydowntownfestival@gmail.com
