Now entering its fifth season of bringing great free poetry events to St. Louis, Observable Readings hosts its first benefit dinner on October 6th. Special guests Jane O. Wayne, whose poems in From the Night Album were deemed by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "incredibly sophisticated . . . almost like cubist paintings," and the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award winner Troy Jollimore whose Tom Thomson in Purgatory was selected by Billy Collins for the Robert E. Lee & Ruth I. Wilson Poetry Book Award, will read their poetry while listeners enjoy a fancy three-course meal, sip frou-frou cocktails, and rub shoulders with some of the most interesting people in town!

Billy Collins writes, "You are bound to take both Tom Thomson and his creator to your heart and to savor the miscellany of other poems that make up this superb collection." Observable Readings agrees wholeheartedly, but that's not all you'll savor: Entree choices include Bistro Tender Steak, Asian Stir-Fry, Gulf Shrimp & Andouille (with smoked bacon marinara & artichoke hearts...mmm!), and Pan Roasted Chicken, and for DESSERT—get a load of this—Lavender and Honey Panna Cotta, Peach Pie, Strawberry Shortcake, or White-Chocolate-Blueberry Bread Pudding.

If you'd like to be placed on the guest list for this special event, please email readings@observable.org. For more information about the venue, visit http://www.saucemagazine.com/savor/

Observable is a 501(c)3 corporation, so all ticket purchases are tax deductible. Observable is supported by grants from Missouri Arts Council and Regional Arts Commission and partnerships with the Royale, Schalfly Beer, Left Bank Books, Toky Branding+Design, StudioSTL and 52nd City. Please visit http://observable.org for information about the current season.