About this Event
An Evening with
Willis Barnstone & Effie Zilch
“Four of the best things in America are Leaves of Grass, Moby-Dick, the sonnets of Barnstone’s The Secret Reader: 501 Sonnets, and my daily corn flakes...” — Jorge Luis Borges
"I'm thinking about you like Walt Whitman drew his letters..." —Effie Zilch
Monday, April 20th, 7:30pm–9:30pm • Feldman’s Books
In true Feldman’s tradition, we gather on 4/20 for an evening of poetry, music, and conversation.
We are honored to welcome Willis Barnstone, a towering figure in world literature at the remarkable age of 98. Poet, translator, and religious scholar, Barnstone has carried voices across centuries—bringing into English the works of Jorge Luis Borges, Pablo Neruda, Rainer Maria Rilke, Antonio Machado, Wang Wei, and ancient fragments from Sappho and Heraclitus into living, original poetry.
The evening will focus on Barnstone’s African Bestiary, his translations of Sappho, and Sonnets to Orpheus.
From postwar Greece to Buenos Aires during the Dirty War, from the Cultural Revolution in China to lifelong literary friendships, Barnstone’s life is itself a poem—one that continues to unfold before us.
We are also thrilled to feature Effie Zilch—the house band of Feldman’s Books—featuring Steve Wyreman and Evan Barcenas. Expect an evening where poetry and music converge.
This will be a true community gathering: storytelling, song, and shared presence.
Admission: $25 suggested donation – Limited to approximately 70 guests with a mix of seated and standing room – ~30 tickets available on Eventbrite – Remaining tickets available at the door
Copies of Barnstone’s books will be available for purchase, with all book proceeds going to the author.
Come celebrate the enduring mystery of poetry.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Feldman's Books, Curtis Street, Menlo Park, CA, USA, United States
USD 28.52
