Poet Jennifer Oakes and Kevin Craft read at the Royal Block

WAITSBURG – The Royal Block Reading Series features poets Jennifer Oakes and Kevin Craft and musician Chris Jonrick to perform poetry, poetry, and more at the Royal Block in Waitsburg on April 27, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. It will be a lively evening of music and book signings. Admission is free. Open to the public (21+).

Poet and novelist Jennifer Oakes’ latest poetry collection, I Don’t Know If the Stars Love Us (42 Miles Press), has won the 42 Mile Poetry Award. Her previous poetry collections, The Declarable Future and The Mouths of Grazing Things (University of Wisconsin Press), won the Four Lakes Prize and the Brittingham Prize, respectively. Her novel Chief Larry Tree (Skyhorse Publishing) won the Siskiyou Prize for new environmental literature. A frequent collaborator with her artists, Oakes’ work can be seen in sculptural installations in downtown Walla Walla and next to Mill Creek. She is a past recipient of her PEN Northwest Wilderness Writing Residency and a contributing editor to Solstice Literary Magazine. Oakes, a former Walla Wallan, currently lives in Seattle, Washington, where she teaches literature and writing.

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Poet Kevin Craft is editor-in-chief of Poetry NW Editions and directs the writing arts program at Everett Community College. His books include “Traverse” (Lynx House Press, 2024), “Vagrants & Accidentals” (UW Press, 2017), and “Solar Prominence” (Cloudbank Books, 2005). He recently served as writer-in-residence at UW’s Rome Center and Olympic National Park. He is a former editor of Poetry Northwest.

Walla Walla’s Shop Singers band member Chris Jonrick will open the event. He writes and records original music. He is an acclaimed visual artist whose murals and tattoos his shop, Walla Walla Tattoo Co., adds to Walla Walla’s local color.

Oakes, Craft, and Jonrick share the enduring power of community and how unlikely connections sustain artists. Oakes and John Rick met as neighbors 15 years ago, and Kraft was the first author Oakes read in Walla Walla. All continue to create connections and community through the arts in their communities.

The Royal Block is a bohemian hotel with artistically decorated rooms. The downstairs bar serves wine and Walla Walla Valley ales while soaking in art, poetry, music and lively conversation. The Art Bar is open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm to 8pm and Saturdays from 2pm to 8pm.

222 Main Street, Waitsburg, WA.

http://www.theRoyalBlock.com

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