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Already the world’s largest celebration of author Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, the Poe Museum of Richmond’s annual Poe Birthday Bash will outdo itself this January 16 from noon to midnight with twelve straight hours counting down Poe’s greatest hits with performance, film, music, readings, exhibits, and more for just $5 per person.
New exhibits opening that day include the interactive “Poe’s Greatest Hits” in which the visitor gets to be part of a Poe story. There will also be a display of original artwork from the new film Extraordinary Tales. Live music includes fan favorites The Embalmers and more great bands. There will be readings and performances throughout the day in addition to neighborhood tours, museum tours, and historical interpreters. We will be joined by James River Writers and Sisters in Crime for readings and the announcement of the winner of the inaugural Poe Inspires Award for flash fiction and poetry at 5:30 p.m. Guests will vote for Poe’s greatest short story, and the winner will be announced at 6 p.m.
There will be crafts and games for the kids, a sad poetry reading contest for all ages, and a midnight champagne toast for the adults. Other highlights of the day include a screening of the film Extraordinary Tales, The Embalmers playing live music to accompany screenings of silent Poe films, a walking tour the neighborhood by Poe’s mother, and readings by members of Sisters in Crime. A cash bar will be provided by Center of the Universe.
Here is the schedule so far:
11:00 a.m. to Dark
Crafts
11:30 a.m.
Walking Tour with Poe’s Fiancee Elmira Shelton
Begins and ends at Poe Museum and includes a stop at St. John’s Church.
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Live Music
With Margot MacDonald
12:45 p.m.
Museum Tour
1:30 p.m.
“The Conqueror Worm”
Performed by Dean Knight
1:45 p.m.
Museum Tour
2:00 p.m.
Walking Tour of Shockoe Bottom with Poe’s Mother
Begins and ends at Poe Museum with a stop at the oldest continuously used Masonic Lodge in the country.
2:30 p.m.
Reading
3:00 p.m.
Sisters in Crime
Talk and Book Signing
4:00 p.m.
Talk by the Poe Museum’s curator
4:30 p.m.
Birthday Cake Served
4:45 p.m.
Curator’s Corner
See some little known oddities and rarities from the collection taken out of the vault just for this event!
5:15 p.m.
Sad Poetry Reading Contest, Reading Activities
“Poe Inspired” Contest Presentation with Poe Museum and James River Writers
Poe’s Greatest Hit Countdown Announcement
6:30 p.m. Walking Tour
Poe’s Last Night in Richmond
Retrace Poe’s path during his final night in Richmond, just over a week before his death.
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Live Music
With Ocean Versus Daughter
7:00 p.m. Museum Tour
7:15 p.m.
“Berenice” Reading by Dean Knight
“The Raven” Reading by Michael Fawcett
8:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Extraordinary Tales
9:30 p.m. Museum Tour
10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Live Music by Embalmers and Silent Films
Midnight
Champagne Toast in the Poe Shrine
