We Need Words, a literary project, will host the most sullen birthday party Jan. 19 in celebration of Edgar Allan Poe’s 204th birthday. The night of poetry and music will take place at Roosevelt’s at 7 restaurant and bar, located at 821 N. Main St. in McAllen.

The event, A Dream Within A Dream: A Poetic Tribute for Edgar Allan Poe, is just one of the themed poetry nights planned by We Need Words for the year. As an avid member of the poetry community, organizer Rachel Vela found it fitting to salute the detective fiction writer by holding an event where his works and other work of the same genre could be read.

“I have different poets coming out and reading their favorite poems by Edgar Allan Poe,” the UTPA English major said. “If they want to read a short story, I’m asking that they read an excerpt from the short story because of time. It’s anything that’s Poe-inspired.”

His poems and short stories such as The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher and A Tell-Tale Heart, were primarily laced with vivid descriptions of horror and supernatural elements, captivating audiences even after his death Oct. 7, 1849.

“Poe is a lot of mystery and kind of gothic themes. So that’s what we’re celebrating that night– what he has contributed to literature,” 34-year-old Vela said.

The open-mic event will be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Vela has readers already scheduled to perform, but assures there will be time for others to participate.

Information on how to present at the tribute and details on future events is available at the We Need Words Facebook page.