Poets Jennifer Oaks and Kevin Craft to read at Royal Block

WAITSBURG - The Royal Block Reading Series welcomes poets Jennifer Oaks and Kevin Craft and musician Chris Jonlick for a lively evening of poetry, music, and book signings at The Royal Block in Waitsburg on April 27, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public (21+).

Poet and novelist Jennifer Oakes' most recent book of poems, "We Can't Tell If the Constellations Love Us" (42 Miles Press), won the 42 Miles Poetry Prize. Her previous poetry books, "The Declarable Future and The Mouths of Grazing Things" (University of Wisconsin Press), were awarded the Four Lakes and the Brittingham Prizes, respectively. Her novel, "The Chief of Rally Tree" (Skyhorse Publishing), won the Siskiyou Prize for New Environmental Literature. A frequent collaborator with visual artists, Oakes' work can be seen on sculpture installations in downtown Walla Walla and next to Mill Creek. She is a former recipient of the PEN Northwest Wilderness Writing Residency and is a contributing editor for "Solstice Literary Magazine." A former Walla Wallan, Oakes now lives in Seattle, Wash., where she teaches literature and writing.

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Poet Kevin Craft, the Executive Editor of Poetry NW Editions, directs the Written 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 a Writer in Residence at the UW Rome Center and for Olympic National Park. He is a former Editor of Poetry Northwest.

Chris Jonlick, a Walla Walla's Shop Singers band member, will open the event. He writes and records original music. He is an acclaimed visual artist whose murals and tattoo shop, Walla Walla Tattoo Co., add to Walla Walla's local color. 

Oakes, Craft, and Jonlick share the enduring power of community and how unlikely connections often sustain artists. Oakes and Jonlick met as neighbors 15 years ago, and Craft was the first writer that Oakes gave a reading with, in Walla Walla. All continue to create connections and community through the arts in their communities.

The Royal Block is a bohemian hotel featuring artistcally appointed guest rooms. The downstairs bar offers wines, and ales from the Walla Walla Valley while immersed in art, poetry, music, and lively conversation. The Art Bar is open Thursdays and Fridays 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 2-8 p.m.

222 Main Street, Waitsburg, Wash.

http://www.theRoyalBlock.com