The Rio Grande Valley is pretty skilled at putting it’s own unique spin on things, even poetry readings. Each month, Pasta, Poetry & Vino, or PPV, takes whatever you thought you knew about poetry readings and adds new dimensions of meaning to the experience a poem or short story provides.
Sahadi’s in McAllen was transformed on February 21st by a unique blend of top local poets and writers who gathered to celebrate the spoken word. The delicious Mediterranean cuisine, fine wine and lively conversation with like-minded readers and writers was an added bonus for an experience that could only be described as ambrosial.
Bringing Local Writers Together
This month’s PPV featured the following poets and writers: Edward Vidaurre, Diana Elizondo, Hannah Romero, Juan Ochoa, Erika Garza-Johnson, Domingo Fabela, Brian Allen Carr, Christy Mendoza, PW Covington, Just, Nianna E. Gustovich and Joan. Some veterans, some newcomers, all courageous writers who got up on stage to read their work and, transiently, revealed a part of themselves to the audience in the process.
Perfectly Poetic Origins
It all started with a poetry reading at a rooftop Caribbean restaurant in Mission. Edward Vidaurre, then a general manager at an Italian chain restaurant, attended the event and was inspired. “I love the written word,” said Vidaurre, “and through attending these events and meeting other poets, I realized that the RGV has a pool of talented writers.” He had a vision of uniting the local poetry scene, and thus Pasta, Poetry & Vino was born.
Join Local Writers and Celebrate the Written Word
This March, PPV will celebrate four years of promoting authors and making poetry accessible to the community. Poet and activist Odilia Galvan Rodriguez will be the featured poet for this event. Whether you are a fellow poetry-lover or you’ve never been to a reading, PPV is a great opportunity to break the dinner-and-a-movie-monotony and witness what our local writing community has to offer.
It’s better to be safe and sober than sorry and drunk.
