Frank Stanford biographer James McWilliams at White Water Tavern tonight

Tonight, the best damn bar in Little Rock is honoring one of the best damn poets in Arkansas history.

That’s right — instead of live music, the White Water Tavern will turn its attention to Frank Stanford, whose poetic prowess is best encapsulated by “The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You,” a 15,283-line poem that was published in 1978, soon after Stanford’s death by suicide at the age of 29.

One of the forces keeping Stanford’s enduring legacy alive is Texas State University professor James McWilliams, who will discuss his monumental new biography of the poet — “ The Life and Poetry of Frank Stanford ” — with White Water music booker and Stanford megafan Matt White.

Also on deck for tonight: readings of Stanford’s work by Jessica Maxwell, Katy Montgomery, Preston Head and