Each January for the past two years, the Poetry and Poetics Colloquium and Northwestern University Press have partnered to host release parties for the winners of the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Prize. Bringing together poets, dancers, and musicians, these events celebrate and build connections between diverse artistic communities. In 2014, we launched Rodney Gomez’ Mouth Full of Night, with Ed Roberson, Jarochicanos Xicago, and members of the Drinking Gourd Prize Committe. In 2013, we launched Kristiana Rae Colón’s promised instruments, the inaugural winner of the Drinking Gourd Chapbook Prize, and Ed Roberson’s Closest Pronunciation, with readings by Colón and Roberson, alongside contemporary dance with original choreography by Devin Buchanan of Giordano Dance Chicago and live vocal performances of the great coded songs of the underground railroad and other African American spirituals by Timothy McNair, bass at the Bienen School of Music.
We’ve gathered photo highlights from both events below. To view the 2014 release party, please click here.