O.B. Hardison Reading with Cornelius Eady

The O.B. Hardison Reading with Cornelius Eady is an evening at Folger Theatre honoring the legacy of former Folger Shakespeare Library Director O.B. Hardison, Jr. The featured poet is Cornelius Eady, a Pulitzer Prize–nominated and National Book Award finalist known for works such as *Brutal Imagination* and *The Gathering of My Name*. Eady is also the co-founder of Cave Canem, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Black poets, and a recipient of the 2023 Pegasus Award for Service in Poetry. His poetry, characterized by jazz and blues-inflected verse, centers the everyday experiences of Black Americans. This reading is part of the broader 2026–2027 O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, which includes four other events with poets Rebecca Lehmann, Matthew Shenoda, Natalie Diaz, and a special Hecht Prize reading.

When: Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 7:30 PM.

Venue: Folger Theatre.

Tickets: The event is part of the Full Series subscription, priced at $81 (includes a $6 handling fee) for all five readings in the season, which saves 25% off single ticket prices. Alternatively, a Virtual Pass starting at $30 allows access to live-streamed and recorded readings for three or more events of the subscriber's choice. Individual single-event tickets are not explicitly listed in the available information.

Lineup: Cornelius Eady (poet).

Run time: Not specified.

Ages: Not indicated.

Note: Subscribers also receive guaranteed seats for in-person readings, unlimited access to recordings, and discounts on other Folger programs. For more information, contact the box office at (202) 544-7077 or folgerboxoffice@folger.edu.