10

TUESDAY

I recently heard a poet say that there isn’t just one Washington, D.C., but 30 different ones. Once a year, the Ascension Series reading at the Folger Shakespeare Library, curated by E. Ethelbert Miller, brings together at least four or five of them. This year matches Washington-based Jennifer Nelson with Japanese-American poet Lawson Fusao Inada. Nelson, probably best known for her work as an actress, playwright, and director, imbues her poems with the same lyricism and concern that distinguish her theatrical work. Inada, co-editor of the landmark Asian-American anthologies Aiiieeeee! and The Big Aiiieeeee!, writes about his experiences as a World War II internee and his love for jazz with eloquent simplicity and grace. At 8 p.m. at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol St. SE. $10. (202) 544-7077. (Holly Bass)