Spork Press has been operating out of Tucson since the early aughts. Their handmade books and tapes, which have been distributed primarily online and at various events around the country, have found a home in their new storefront (2229 E. Broadway Blvd.) The shop, which doubles as Spork’s production facility, will also be a space for readings and music, and will carry books from other small presses.

You can help break in the new space on Wednesday, May 4, during Spork’s soft opening. Enjoy readings, music and drinks while celebrating the latest development in one of Tucson’s literary cornerstones.

Reader bios from the Facebook event:

taylor jacob pate is a writer, painter & runner born in New Orleans & raised lots of other places. He received his MFA from The New Writer’s Project at UT Austin. Along with his partner Blake Lee Pate, he founded & edits smoking glue gun. His first collection of poetry, Becoming the Virgin, is out from Action Books.

Jos Charles is a trans poet and writer. They are author of Safe Space, forthcoming from Ahsahta Press and founding-editor of THEM: a trans literary journal. They are making amends with their situation.

Blake Lee Pate was born in New Orleans & currently lives in Austin. She received her MFA from the New Writer's Project, where she served on the board of Bat City Review. She is the editor of smoking glue gun. Her poems can be found in Dusie, Glittermob, H_NGM_N, Forklift Ohio, Black Warrior Review & elsewhere.

The event begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information on Spork Press, visit the local bookmaker's website.