James Stauffer memoir/Chris Oller photos
 Jessica Loos, chapter 25  Robert Sward, chapter 26  Bill Norton, chapter 26 |
Just a quick report on the Big
Sur event here on the West Coast, Nicole inquired about Carolyn Cassady. The Cassady representation in San Francisco was by Jamie and Cathy, Neal and Carolyn's daughters. Son John and Carolyn were at the Northport, New York event. Children of the Beats were also represented by Ianthe Brautigan. There were many great readings of the individual chapters. One that stands out, however, would have to have been Jack Micheline's protegee Jessica Loos. The event started late due to generator problems and ran late, and as the fog rolled in and the wind kicked up, the crowd understandably shrank. However, those who stayed til the end will never forget Michael McClure's reading of Kerouac's translation of the sounds of the ocean, which closes the book. For probably 30 to 40 shivering beatniks who remained, while his wife Ann held a flashlight so he could see the text--and with the towers of St. Peter and St. Paul's behind him--McClure read the poem that he had heard Jack read there on the beach at Bixby Canyon Bridge while, as McClure said, the ocean read a new poem behind him. A wonderful, sensitive, and evocative reading. It will stand in my mind alongside hearing Ginsberg read Howl when he and the Orlovsky brothers stopped through UC Riverside in the early 60's. McClure, reading strictly for
love and no other compensation, waited I'm sure the East Coast events in Lowell, Northport and Orlando were equally memorable and am looking forward to hearing about them. The San Francisco event was a pleasure to be involved with and a great crowd to read for.
|
Home Editorial Feature Credits Eco-Watch Essays Fiction/Nonfiction Poetry Politics Renaissance Reviews Road Tea Party The Path Links Archives Submissions Contact Store