In honor of National Poetry Month, the Napa Valley Writers’ Conference, a project of Napa Valley College, will host an evening of readings and discussion of the role of poetry in their communities. Their featured presenter will be California poet laureate Dana Gioia, author of five full-length collections of poetry as well as Can Poetry Matter?, which helped to revive the role of poetry in American public culture. As Chairman of the NEA from 2003 to 2009, Gioia strengthened the national consensus in favor of public funding for the arts and arts education.

Wine and small bites made by NVC’s Napa Valley Cooking School will set the stage for the literary evening. The wine reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the program to follow at 7 p.m., at the Upper Valley Campus of Napa Valley College in St. Helena. RSVPs are suggested in order to reserve your seat for this even