The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association will welcome Paolo Javier, the Poet Laureate of Queens, to its "Writers and Pints" night this Thursday, September 23.
The WRBA regularly showcases local talent by providing residents the opportunity to read their writing publicly in the friendly confines of Neir's Tavern, Queens's oldest bar. This latest installment of Writers and Pints will also feature several other wordsmiths, including Conrad Stojak, writer and director of the independent film "Remembering Woodhaven."
"Woodhaven has so many talented writers of both prose and poetry," said WRBA Director Vance Barbour. "By providing them with a platform to share their work with the rest of Woodhaven, we hope to enhance the neighborhood's status as one of the city's most vibrant and creative communities."
Paolo Javier, the evening's special guest, has been a resident of Queens for over 10 years. His appointment as the borough's poet laureate was announced in June by Queens Borough President Helen Marshall and Queens College President James Muyskens. His award-winning poetry is only one facet of his artistic contributions; he is also a playwright, film director, professor, editor, and publisher.
"What an honor it is for me to be invited to your series," Javier said. "As the new Queens Poet Laureate, I am excited most of all by the opportunity to discover long-standing and vital poetry communities such as Woodhaven's. I look forward to hearing your poetry, and to sharing my own."
The excitement seems to be felt on both sides.
"We are tremendously pleased to welcome Paolo to Woodhaven and are eagerly looking forward to Thursday night," Barbour said. "We expect that his work will inspire the scores of writers and enthusiasts of the written word who live in our neighborhood."
The evening will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Neir's Tavern is located at 87-48 78th Street in Woodhaven. All are welcome, either to share their work or to listen to others' readings. There is no cover charge and the event is free. For more information, please e-mail info@woodhaven-nyc.org or visit www.woodhaven-nyc.org.
