“The big event in poetry for 2015 will likely be the long-awaited resurrection of Frank Stanford, a legendary badass from Arkansas, much of whose poetry has been unavailable since his suicide at the age of 29 in 1978… Stanford was a hell of a metaphor-maker and simile-slinger, and could cast a spell of extreme intensity with a flick of his wrist.”—NPR.org

Third Man Books will be co-hosting with Copper Canyon Press a performance celebrating the life and work of poet Frank Stanford. Performers such as poets C.D. Wright (National Book Critics Circle Award, MacArthur Fellowship winner, and herself a legendary Arkansas badass), Ed Skoog (Bread Loaf winner and expert yodeler), Zachary Schomburg (Octopus Books, Ford van driver), and musician Gabi Page-Fort (of Seattle band Stickers) will be reading selections of Stanford's writing from TMB's upcoming release Hidden Water and Copper Canyon's What About This. Expect to see more about Hidden Water's release in July!

For those unfamiliar, we are beyond excited to partner with Copper Canyon Press (est. 1972), which is a self-described non-profit publisher believing poetry is vital to language and living. They have published over 400 titles including Nobel-laureates Pablo Neruda and Octavio Paz. Also, very much looking forward to perusing The Elliott Bay Book Company, which is the largest independent bookstore in the United States and a must-see for any visitor to the Pacific Northwest.

Below is a Vault-exclusive video of Copper Canyon poet Ed Skoog performing his rendition of one of Stanford's "blue yodel poems," inspired by classic countryman Jimmie Rodgers. Copper Canyon chief editor Michael Wiegers accompanied Skoog as his official music stand. Check it below!

Thursday, June 11, 2015 - 7:00pm
The Elliott Bay Book Company
1521 Tenth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122