From poetry, to rap, to typography, BeatBurg encourages community members to consciously encounter language and the art that stems from it. The program engageS people of all ages with literature, poetry, and music.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
2024 SELECTED POETS
This year we celebrate our 11th Annual Beatburg program. Stay tuned for events and special social media posts throughout the month of April. You are invited to participate in the Poetry Path to find all 30 poems displayed throughout downtown Lynchburg!
Click on the interactive map below to find out where to go and which poem is displayed at each location. Participants are encouraged to take a selfie next to the posters and tag Riverviews Artspace on Instagram and Facebook. You can even add the hashtag #Beatburg2024
We will also be highlighting a poem each day of the month via social media, along with recorded poetry readings from some of our featured poets.
2024 POETRY MAP
Click on the interactive map below to find out where to go and which poem is displayed at each location. Participants are encouraged to take a selfie next to the posters and tag Riverviews Artspace on Instagram and Facebook. You can even add the hashtag #Beatburg2024
UPDATE: NOW CLOSED! 2024 CALL FOR POETS
Poets of all ages, aspiring and professional, are encouraged to submit up to two poems.
We accept poems of any subject matter and style. Due to printing limitations we ask for poems to be spaced accurately. 400 word count maximum. 26 line maximum.
AGE CATEGORIES:
Youth: 5 - 12 years old
Teen: 13 - 17 years old
Adult: 18 years and older
Submissions Due: February 27, 2024
A panel of published poets, authors, and scholars will review submissions and select ten poems from each age category. The 2024 panel includes Terry Bodine, MALS; Vic Sizemore, MFA; Wendy Miles, MFA, Marilyn Bousquin, MFA; Chris Gaumer, MFA; and Madison Schuppe, MEd.
The selected poems will be printed on posters and displayed throughout Downtown Lynchburg for public view as part of an interactive Poetry Path activity! We invite all visitors downtown to use a free poetry map to search and locate each poem; post a selfie, tag a friend.
There will be many more ways we will celebrate during April, including daily poem posts, receptions, poetry readings, and workshops. Visit riverviews.org/beatburg for a list of partners, events and activities.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
Only 1 application may be submitted per person with up to two poems. If you choose to submit 2 poems, they must be on the same application. If more than one application is received for an individual, only one submission will be considered.
For Classrooms: Only 1 application may be submitted per classroom. Please upload students' poems in one PDF for submission and format each student submission within the pdf file as follows:
Student Name (William Shakespeare)
Title (Sonnet 18)
Poem (Shall I campare thee to a summer's day? ...)
SUBMISSION LINKS - NOW CLOSED!
IMPORTANT DATES:
February 27, 2024 at 5:00pm. Deadline for poem submissions.
March 11, 2024. Poems will be announced.
April 1 through April 30, 2024. Posters will be on view.
PREVIOUS YEARS OF BEATBURG
BEATBURG 2023
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 BEATBURG POETS!
10 years later and Beat Burg is still showcasing incredible creative writing and poetry in the city!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR 2023 SELECTED POETS!
With over 100+ poetry submissions it’s always difficult to select our 30 poets. Thank you to everyone who submitted and congratulations to all who were selected!
Beat Burg 2022
This year the 9th Annual Beat Burg is displaying 30 poems throughout the city of Lynchburg! Use the map to see where!
We will also be highlighting a poem each day of the month via social media, along with recorded poetry readings from some of our featured poets.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 BEATBURG POETS!
With over 130 poetry submissions it was difficult to select our 30 poets. Thank you to everyone who submitted and congratulations to all who were selected!
Andrew Hahn ● ApriLove ● Jennifer Gauthier ● Cassie Tesh ● Cricket Miller ● Ella Haase ● Erika Mork ● Harry Cumby ● Nikos Hawkins ● William Acosta ● A. Lewis ● Estelle Sexton ● Howard Ying ● J'mya Sparks ● John Waterworth ● Kashvi Ramani ● Maya Barrera ● Sawyer Tatom ● Will Varner ● Za'naysia Jones ● Lillian Bryant ● Seamus Barber ● Alice Hanson ● Farhan Khan ● Kiannue Kelly ● Wrynn Ottinger ● Lillian Nikitina ● Lillian Wedler ● Bailey Harless ● Emma McDaniel
BEAT BURG 2021
For the past EIGHT years, Riverviews has dedicated programming during the month of April to poetry and poets, including our annual CALL TO LOCAL POETS..
In partnership with the MemberOne Federal Credit Union, Beat Burg 2021 showcased 30 poems along some of Lynchburg’s most walked trails. The selected poems were be on display beginning April 1st, with a map showcasing the locations and mile markers of each. We also be showcased a poem each day of the month via social media, along with recorded poetry readings from some of our featured poets.
Featured poets include: Amy Koudelka, Angelina Dawn, Brittany Minard, Brooke Smoke, Cassie Tesh, Debi Martin, Emily Sutphin, Falon Sherman, Farid Jalil, Fred Motley, George Moseley, Hannah Cohen, Jamie Christine, K.S., Larry Taylor, Jr., Latoya Mosby, Lillian Patterson, Lynn Brooks, Marjie Gowdy, Melinda Wheeler, Micah Kimber, Michael Cargill, Noelle Cargill, Paula Watson, Rebecca Raybon, Richard Beck, Scott Fairbrother, Terry May Price, Tim Moser, and Will Acosta.
BEAT BURG POETRY WALK
SELECTED POEMS
POETRY READINGS
Thank you to our
2021 Beat Burg sponsor:
Member One Federal Credit Union
POETRY WALK In Collaboration With Lynchburg Parks & Rec
Special thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts for their continued support.
BEAT BURG 2020
In partnership with the Downtown Lynchburg Association, Beat Burg 2020 featured poetry banners along the construction fencing around the Main Street Renewal project.
View all of the featured poets and poems below.
Kids Poetry - Students of R.S Payne and Linkhorne Elementary schools had their poems on display and featured for friends, family, and our Riverviews community to view. Students also received printed banners of their poems at the end of the project.
Thank you to our 2020 Beat Burg sponsors:
Downtown Lynchburg Association, National Endowment for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Bank of the James, BWXT, Opportunity Lynchburg, and the City of Lynchburg.
ADULT POETRY
(Scroll through to see all poems.)
KIDS POETRY
(Scroll through to see all poems.)
POETRY
READINGS
Emma Hines at Taletellers
BEAT BURG 2019
In April 2019, Riverviews partnered again with local schools, R.S. Payne Elementary, Linkhorne Elementary for young students’ poetry to be printed and shared in their schools and local public libraries. A list of selected poems and locations was announced during the month of April.
Through out the month of April, Riverviews hosted events that celebrate poetry.
Kids Poetry Night - A reading for local elementary school children to read their poems with friends, family, and our Riverviews community and receive their printed posters.
Poetry Reading Night - An intimate, one-night event featuring local published poets, Hannah Cohen & Brandon Amico..
Kids Poetry Reading
BEAT BURG 2018
Riverviews partnered with local schools, R.S. Payne Elementary, Linkhorne Elementary, and Paul L. Dunbar Middle School, for young students’ poetry to be printed and shared in their schools and local public libraries. A list of selected poems and locations was announced during the month of April. Poems were also shared on Riverviews’ social media and newsletters throughout the month.
Through out the month of April, Riverviews hosted events that celebrate poetry.
April 12th: Kids Poetry Night - A reading for local elementary and middle school children to read their poems with friends, family, and our Riverviews community and receive their printed posters.
April 20th: Tri-College Consortium Reading - English majors from Lynchburg College, Randolph College, and Sweet Briar College will be sharing their original works.
April 28th: Open Mic Night - Join Riverviews as we leave a mic open for local poets to perform their works and meet other area poets.
