Experience a vibrant journey of the spoken word as emerging student poets join acclaimed authors David Brendan Hopes, Allan Wolf, and Lockie Hunter to celebrate the Swannanoa Valley’s rich storytelling tradition.
The rhythm of the spoken word returns to the Swannanoa Valley as the Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) hosts the annual celebration, The Dark City Speaks: An Evening of Poetry, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 7:30 to 9:30 PM.
This powerful collaboration between BMCA, the Friends of the Black Mountain Library, and the Dark City Poets Society transforms the Center’s historic theater into a stage for diverse literary voices. The event serves as a multi-generational journey, bridging the gap between emerging student writers and acclaimed regional figures to showcase the depth of the area’s creative talent.
“We’re so pleased to bring this trio of acclaimed poets to BMCA,” says John Hall, Interim Executive Director. “Our intimate theatre space is perfect for this powerful night of poetry!”
The evening kicks off with fresh perspectives from local college poets, including Emerson Hood, Jeremiah Swader, Anna Whyatt, Bella Sosa, and Zoe Doudt. They will be followed by a dynamic performance from the Dark City Poets Society, a collective known for its inclusive approach to the craft.
The night concludes with readings from three heavyweights of Southern literature:
- David Brendan Hopes: An acclaimed playwright and painter whose seventh book of poetry, The Ones with Difficult Names, was recently released.
- Allan Wolf: A Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist and author of 20 books, including the 2025 collection The Gift of the Broken Teacup.
- Lockie Hunter: An Emerson College MFA graduate and co-producer of the radio program Wordplay, whose work has appeared in The Baltimore Review and McSweeney’s.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at blackmountainarts.org or at the BMCA office. Proceeds support the continued mission of BMCA and the Friends of the Black Mountain Library to keep the arts accessible for everyone in our community.
EVENT DETAILS:
- WHAT: The Dark City Speaks: An Evening of Poetry
- WHEN: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
- WHERE: Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC
- COST: $15
- TICKETS: Available in person at BMCA or Online
