Poets, writers mark anniversary of ‘Howl’
It’s hard to believe that “Howl” is more than half a century old.
But it’s true. Allen Ginsberg first read his poetic scream of countercultural outrage publicly at San Francisco’s City Lights Bookstore on Oct. 6, 1955.
The world has never been the same. And a group of Spokane poets and writers will take it upon themselves to mark the 50th-plus anniversary with what they’re calling a Beat Weekend, June 3 and 4.
On June 3, seven readers will tag-team perform “Howl,” beginning at 7 p.m. at the Empyrean Cafe, 154 S. Madison St. (456-3676). The Blue Ribbon Tea Company will provide musical accompaniment.
On June 4, Philadelphia poet David Deery will perform what he calls “Channeling Kerouac,” based on work of the Beat novelist Jack Kerouac, at 5:30 p.m. at Mootsy’s, 406 W. Sprague Ave. (838-1570). An open mike of Beat poetry will follow.
Here’s a taste, the opening four lines of “Howl”:
“I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by
madness, starving hysterical naked,
dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn
looking for an angry fix … .”
Quotable quote
When Whitworth College journalism professor Gordon Jackson shows up at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Auntie’s Bookstore to read from his book “Watchdogs, Blogs and Wild Hogs: A Collection of Quotations on Media,” he may read one or two quotes on movies.
Here’s a good one, which was coined by former New York Times movie critic Vincent Canby:
“Through the magic of motion pictures, someone who’s never left Peoria knows the softness of Paris spring, the color of the Nile sunset, the sorts of vegetables one will find along the upper Amazon and that Big Ben has not yet gone digital.”
Young writers wanted
Children in grades five through 12 are invited to register for Young Writers of the Lost Horse, the forthcoming fifth annual young-adult writing and book-arts conference co-sponsored by Lost Horse Press and the East Bonner County Library.
Scheduled for June 16 and 17 at the library system’s Sandpoint branch, the conference will feature instructors such as author Sarah Conover, publisher Christine Holbert and cartoonist Tom Kramer.
The conference is free to all Bonner County residents, including those home-schooled. Call (208) 255-4410 or see www.losthorsepress.org.
Book ‘em, Dano
If your tastes run to book design, you might want to check out “Booker’s Dozen 2006,” a traveling exhibit of “eccentric and artists’ books” designed and produced by Idahoans, which runs through May 25 at the Sandpoint branch of the East Bonner County Library, 1407 Cedar St. (208-263-6930).
Fourteen handmade books comprise the exhibit, which is presented by Boise State University’s Idaho Center for the Book. For more information, see the library’s Web site, www.ebcl.lib.id.us/ebcl.
Awards galore
“The Whitman County Library has been awarded a We the People Bookshelf grant, which will provide a collection of 15 books for children grades K-12 relating to the theme “Becoming American.” The award, which is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association, was given to 2,000 libraries across the nation – 26 in Washington state.
“Dave Cryan, a perennial finalist in The Spokesman-Review’s limericks contest, placed third in the humor category of the 2006 Washington Poets Association Contest. Cryan, who is from Medical Lake, has been invited to read his entry in public June 3 at a WPA meeting in Tacoma.
Bring ‘em in
Part of the Disney Day celebration at the Valley Hastings, 15312 E. Sprague Ave., beginning Saturday at 3 p.m. is an invitation for anyone to bring in new or “gently used” children’s books for the Success By 6 literacy program. For further information, call Larry O’Neal (509-924-0667).
Book talk
“Dark City Mystery Book Group (“The Jasmine Trade,” by Denise Hamilton), 7 p.m. Monday, Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington (509-838-0206).
“Modern Fiction Book Club (“Citizen Vince,” by Jess Walter), 7 p.m. Tuesday, Valley Barnes & Noble, 15310 E. Indiana Ave. (509-922-4104).
The reader board
“Marilynne Robinson (“Gilead”), reception, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today, Sandpoint branch, East Bonner County Library; reading/signing, 3 p.m. today, Panida Theater, 300 N. First Ave., Sandpoint (208-263-9191).
“Gordon Jackson (“Watchdogs, Blogs and Wild Hogs: A Collection of Quotations on Media”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Fred W. Rabe (“Exploring High Mountain Lakes in the Rockies: A Story of Ecology and Natural History”), presentation, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“David Shields (“Dead Languages”), reading, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Auntie’s Bookstore.
“Charles Grizzle (“Hollywood Hoosier”), 3 p.m. Saturday, Valley Hastings. Part of Disney Day celebration, featuring events for children and adults.