Rod Smith, publisher of Edge Books and author of 10 collections of his own poetry—including last year’s triumph of nonsense, Deed—is already the ringleader of the D.C. experimental poetry scene. Today’s poetry marathon “In Memory of My Theories: A Rod Smith Circus” makes it official, even if Smith’s circus is more invisible flea than Ringling Bros. The event, curated by Smith and hosted by Alexandria poet Magus Magnus, provides the poetic equivalent to the industry standard of clowns, tightrope walkers, and acrobatic bears: a national roster of fringe performers who craft frivolous works from Google searches, test the improvisational qualities of the theremin and the didgeridoo, and write works with titles like “Marijuana Soft Drink.” Set at Alexandria’s Lyceum, the evening-long program will be divided into four acts of talks, textual performances, theater, and sound, starring folks such as “flarf poetry” originator Gary Sullivan, avant-garde royal Anselm Berrigan, and improvised musical lab experiment Croniamantal.

“IN MEMORY OF MY THEORIES” BEGINS AT 4 P.M. AT THE LYCEUM, 201 S. WASHINGTON ST., ALEXANDRIA. FREE. (703) 400-2984.