L.A. Poetry Picks

Compiled & Edited by Carlye Archibeque

March 2007

Greetings Constant Reader,

 It’s March and Spring seems to be in the air. Yes, after our 30-degree nights and 50-degree dayS our normal winter temp of 65-degrees seems like Spring has sprung. The early thaw has caused me to get out and see friends and attend events in search of the comfort of community beside the hearth called poetry. And yes, the poetry community does exist and it’s strong and resilient at the core. Much like politics, religion and weight loss plans, the poetry community in Los Angeles goes ever on and on with all the associated ups and downs.

We suffered some losses in the winter. Merilene Murphy especially comes to mind. Everyone who ever met her will miss her vivacious attitude and willingness to love everyone. I always ran into her at the most unlikely times. I remember one Merilene encounter about four years ago: I was working downtown at the Shrine for the Oscars, which is not as glamorous as it sounds. I was driving on Jefferson at 7 o’clock on a Sunday morning, and there she was, happy as a clam in these amazing leopard pants waiting at a bus stop. I pulled over, because the Oscars could wait while I said hi. She screamed a happy greeting and I asked what the heck she was doing on a Sunday morning at the bus stop and she told me that she was going to visit her mom. I couldn’t resist having a chance to chit-chat with her before I went off to work with the less-than-artistic, so I told her to jump in the car and off we went. I don’t remember the conversation in detail, only that it was good to be with a friend. I, like everyone who met her, will miss her smile and happy laugh. I hope she and Molly Ivans have found each other in heaven and are collaborating on some crazy project.

For us earthbound creatures, we will have to settle on the events of the tangible world until we meet up with our departed friends. This is by no means an exhaustive list or a best-of list, just a few readings that I thought might be excellent.

Hope to see you on the dance floor sometime soon.

c.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 7:30 P.M.
A TRIBUTE TO VINCENT FERRINI
with ROGER TATUS, WANDA COLEMAN, JACK HIRSCHMAN, PAUL SAWYER
including the premiere of  POEM IN ACTION: A FILM PORTRAT OF VINCENT FERRINI
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd, Venice CA
No Open
$7 general/ $5 Seniors / free to members

TUESDAY, MARCH 6
Three readings worth checking out:

The Valley
9:00 PM
francEyE
Cobalt Poets at the Cobalt Café
22047 Sherman Way, Canoga Park
Open Sign Up 8:30, 7-minute limit
1 drink minimum

Eastside
7:00 PM
BRENDAN CONSTANTINE, RICH FERGUSON, MINDY NETTIFEE & PAM WARD
Hooters of Hollywood, hosted by DOUG KNOTT
6922 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood CA
Free
No Open

South Bay
8:10 PM
HELENE CARDONA
Redondo Poets at Coffee Cartel
1820 South Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach
Free
Open Sign Up at 7:50 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 8:10 PM
LEE ROSSI
Redondo Poets at Coffee Cartel
1820 South Catalina Avenue, Redondo Beach
Free
Open Sign Up at 7:50 P.M.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 7:30 PM
CHRIS FELVER FILMS, PHILOMENE LONG, DAVID AMRAM 
and the Bookstore Debut of FELVER’S PORTRATS OF LA POETS
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd, Venice CA
No Open
$7 general/ $5 Seniors / free to members

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 7:30 PM
PAISLEY REKDAL & JEFFREY MCDANIEL
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd, Venice CA
No Open
$7 general/ $5 Seniors / free to members

SUNDAY, MARCH 18, 4:00 PM
LINDA J. ALBERTANO, MIFANWY KAISER & PHOEBE MACADAMS
Antigua Cultural Coffee House
4836 Huntington Drive South, LA
(really easy to get to and great food)
Free
Open Sign Up 3:30 P.M.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 9:00 PM
JANE CASSADY
Cobalt Poets at the Cobalt Café
22047 Sherman Way, Canoga Park
Open Sign Up 8:30, 7-minute limit
1 drink minimum

THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 5:00 PM
GALWAY KINNELL
USC Doheny Memorial Library in LA
http://www.usc.edu/libraries/about/programs_exhibitions/events/
Reservations Required: $45 (includes parking at Gate 4)
friendsofthelibraries@usc.edu

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 8:00 PM
THERESA ANTONIA & LEAH BROWN
Monday Poetry at Santa Catalina Library
999 E. Washington, Pasadena
Open
Free

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 7:30 PM
AYA & DAVID MELTZER
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center
681 Venice Blvd, Venice CA
No Open
$7 general/ $5 Seniors / free to members

And not poetry, but…

 MONDAY, MARCH 5, 7:30 PM
JUDY CHICAGO in conversation with SUZANNE LACY
Skirball Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Bl, LA
Advanced Tickets Suggested, $20 available online

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2:00 PM
PAUL CUMMINS, author of: “Two Americas, Two Educations: Funding Quality Schools for all Students”
Santa Monica Library, Martin Luther King, Jr. Auditorium
www.smpl.org for more info

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