AW2: Birthdays, Bourbon, & Poems

This year, Allison Wright & Amy Woolard are doing things a little differently. Our birthdays are a week apart, both at the end of October--but instead of racking up bar bills or doubling your dinner tab, we want to combine a few of our favorite things & find a way to give some presents rather than receive them. So...

This November 9th, beginning at 6:30p.m., we're hosting a bourbon tasting-slash-poetry reading at Mas Tapas in Charlottesville. Five exceptional poets will be paired with their whiskey counterparts, and a spoonful of bourbon will help the poetry go down. Tomas Rahal & Mas Tapas have graciously offered to help sponsor the event, providing the entirety of Mas on a Sunday night, as well as some delicious snacks. We'll serve a tasting of bourbon, then hear some kick-ass poems, then rinse & repeat until you've sampled all our readers & pourers have to offer.

We've already got some great readers lined up. So far, poets Sandra Beasley (http://www.sandrabeasley.com/) and Molly Minturn (http://mollyminturn.com/) have graciously agreed to read (& Amy will be reading, too).

Update: we've completed our line-up! Not only will the fabulous Gabrielle Calvocoressi be reading, but RITA DOVE will be joining us to read from her work, as well. I mean, NBD, just Pulitzer Prize-winning, former Poet Laureate of the United States Rita Dove, reading at our lil fundraiser. Wow.

PLUS: Tomas is a great fan & supporter of Charlottesville's City Schoolyard Garden (http://www.cityschoolyardgarden.org/), as are Allison & Amy. In CSG's own words, their mission is to "cultivate academic achievement, health, environmental stewardship, and community engagement through garden-based, experiential learning in Charlottesville City Schools." The three of us couldn't think of a better organization to help support through this event.

That's why we're not just asking you all to join us, but to help us support CSG while you're enjoying a great evening of whiskey & words. We're asking for a suggested donation of $40/person (or more) to attend--all of which will go directly to City Schoolyard Garden.* Your donation through this site will count as your RSVP, unless you indicate otherwise (we're certainly open to donations no matter if you can attend). 

Please come out for what promises to be a delightful, spirited, delicious & meaningful evening of great bourbon, kick-ass poems, & generosity to a deserving cause.

And if you can't join us for spirits, be with us in spirit: anyone who donates but can't attend will have their names read aloud as a special shout-out during the event.


* Some funds raised will be put towards cost of the bourbon, but only a small portion of the campaign goal. Anything above exact cost of the bourbon will go directly to City Schoolyard Garden.