7

FRIDAY

Despite what the “DJ” before his name may lead you to believe, DJ Renegade—who used to work the D.C. nightclub circuit—doesn’t spin records anymore. A frequent National Poetry Slam finalist and 1998 haiku-competition award winner, Renegade, born Joel Dias-Porter, now prefers to cut and match words. His poetry is rife with themes both personal and universal; he draws on his Cape Verdean heritage but also discusses love and strained familial relationships. Renegade’s haiku deviates from the traditional sunset-waterfall-rainbow model and focuses on scenery more urban in nature: rats, wet graffiti, and so on. Of late, the self-taught Afrocentric scholar has been getting back to his musical roots: His debut disc, Libation Song, marries jazz from local acts with the hard edge of his spoken-word performances. Renegade won’t have on headphones, but he may take requests at 7 p.m. at Borders, 18th and L Streets NW. Free. (202) 466-4999. (Sarah Godfrey)