First Wednesday Reader Series: Jon Graham & David Prather (May 7 Westside Bowl)

First Wednesday Reader Series presents poets Jon Graham of Dover, Ohio, & David Prather of Parkersburg, WV. Open mic to follow. Co-host John Marino. Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00pm at the Westside Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave. This reading will be downstairs in the Trophy Room, accessible only by stairs. ASL interpretation by Meagan Albani, with funding from the Raymond J. Wean Foundation. Thank you to series sponsor POP! Art Books Culture.

David B. Prather is the author of three poetry collections: We Were Birds (Main Street Rag, 2019), Shouting at an Empty House (Sheila-Na-Gig Editions, 2023), and the Bending Light with Bare Hands (Fernwood Press, 2024). His work has appeared in many publications, including New Ohio Review, Prairie Schooner, The Comstock Review and others.

Jon Graham was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and grew up in Ohio's Appalachian coal country. He is a retired emergency physician and farmer. He has published two books: Everything Waits (2023), poems; and The Sky Was Always Underground: A Lyric Memoir of Appalachia (2024), poems and short prose.

Upcoming Readings:

June 4 Marion Boyer & Steve Henn co-host Lena Carson

July 9 Dianne Borsenik & Steven Concert co-host David Simonelli

August 6 Ali Black & Dana Reeher co-host Deanne Buffalari

September 3 Mary Quade & Steve Skovensky co-host Terry Murcko

October 1 Mike Dittman & Shei Sanchez co-host Carrie Zapka

November 5 Jane Ann Fuller & Wendy McVicker co-host Kate Caraballo