President Obama Hosts Spoken Word Evening

from the Politico’s Playbook w/ mike allen, which’s my fave morning/coffee accompanist.

DRIVING THE EVENING: At 7:45 p.m., “the president and the first lady will host an evening of poetry, music and the spoken word in the East Room. The vice president and Dr. Jill Biden will also attend. The event will be streamed live on WhiteHouse.gov. The president’s and the first lady’s remarks will be pooled press.”

DEETS: Featured performers include James Earl Jones, Michael Chabon, Ayelet Waldman (Michael and Ayelet are married — they are writers and of Jewish background), Esperanza Spalding (singer and bassist), Eric Lewis (pianist), Lin Manuel Miranda (rapper/composer), Mayda Del Valle (poet from South Side of Chicago), Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio (HBO Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Finalist), Joshua Brandon Bennett (HBO’s Brave New Voices Youth Poetry Finalist). There will be an emphasis on dialogue and communicating with each other about diverse experiences.