WELL VERSED

The Poetry Project’s annual New Year’s Day Marathon is turning 40, and we’re looking forward to its elegant and introspective sweep into middle age. It’s no wonder the tradition has lasted — a large dose of verse (and aspirin) has been proven restorative after a night of drunken debauchery. We’re excited to see some of the regulars who have been around since the beginning: Anne Waldman, John Giorno, Patti Smith, and Lenny Kaye, as well as NPR’s Ira Glass, Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore, and artist Michael Portnoy (Soy Bomb!). This year, Sean Cole emcees a portion of the evening on public radio, and Parsons students raffle off personally designed totes. With 140 poets of all stripes reciting and emoting into the wee hours of the night, you’ll be at no loss for words in the coming year.

Wed., Jan. 1, 2 p.m., 2014