Pat Thomas, counter-culture historian (and compiler alongside Peter Hale of the magnificent Material Wealth) has a new book out, Evergreen Review – Dispatches from the Literary Underground – Covers & Essays, 1957-1973, official publication date is now July 22, but he’ll be presenting from it tonight in L.A. at Duck Soup (in conversation with Jess Rotter and Jessica Hundley), the first of a number of events, which will see him on Tuesday at City Lights (in conversation with Steve Wasserman), next Friday (with Gary Groth) in Seattle, May 22 (with Steven Heller, John Oakes, and Joe Hagan in New York City, May 24, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts (with Ryan Walsh and Darryl Norsen), and more dates to come
For more on Evergreen Review – Dispatches from the Literary Underground – see here
For more on Material Wealth – see here
Maytime celebrations – and Allen is the King of May (we’ve not forgotten)
Prague Spring, 1965 – Josef Rauvolf (who wrote an account for us (in English) back in 2018) celebrates again the occasion (this time in Czech) – here.
Of the above illustration he writes: “The picture in my article was shot by a professional from the state Czechoslovakian Press Agency. Funny, the bearded guy on Allen’s right was Jiří Müller, then student of the Polytechnics (Allen was their candidate!), 1966 expelled for wanting to establish no-commie organisation, 1971-1976 in prison, one of the first to sign Charter 77, early 80s, again prosecution… So I guess Allen was in a really good company!!!”
Jack Kerouac news – big news – the big announcement yesterday – multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning artist, Zach Bryan has purchased the historic former Saint Jean Baptiste Church in Lowell to transform it into The – (previously envisioned) – Jack Kerouac Center
“The collaboration between Bryan and the Jack Kerouac Estate”, the Estate joyfully declares,
“marks a significant step toward honoring the legacy of one of America’s most iconic writers while fostering creativity in the heart of Kerouac’s hometown.”
His involvement “marks a turning point, bringing essential funding and renewed energy.
His commitment has provided the momentum needed to turn years of planning into a tangible reality, paving the way for the center to become a cornerstone of creativity and inspiration”.
The former church, a beloved Lowell landmark where Kerouac served as an altar boy, and mourners gathered for his 1969 funeral mass, will be converted into a vibrant cultural hub where two creative forces meet”. It will feature “exhibits, live music, public readings, and community events.”
For more on this historic acquisition – see here (The Independent), here (Billboard), here (Relix), here (Whiskeyriff), here (The Boston Globe), here (Boston Real Estate Times), and elsewhere.
and more Kerouac – “Kerouac’s Road – The Beat of A Nation”, director Ebs Burnough‘s new, sharp, insightful documentary on the writer will have its world premiere next month in New York at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The film “examines how Kerouac’s iconic novel On the Road continues to resonate in contemporary America, interweaving stories of modern-day travelers with insights from those influenced by or connected to the legendary author. The film retraces Kerouac’s restless journey across America while exploring how his emphasis on experience over material success, as well as authentic connection over digital convenience, speaks powerfully to our screen-saturated era”.
It features appearances by, amongst others, David Amram, Ann Charters, Jean-Christophe Cloutier, Joyce Johnson, Jay McInerney, Michael Imperioli and Natalie Merchant..
& finally, Ira Cohen (1935-2011) – We announced recently the publication of his monumental collection, A Certain Kind of Wizard, from the ever-elegant, ever-provocative, Lithic Press. Next week, Wednesday and Thursday (Wednesday at The Bowery Poetry Club, Thursday at The Bunker), in New York, the book and Ira’s work will be feted and celebrated.
“Poet, photographer, filmmaker, publisher, and dauntless world traveler, Ira Cohen was a mythic figure of boundless energy who was a catalyst for creative scenes in New York, Tangier, Kathmandu, Amsterdam, and wherever else he happened to alight in his wanderings. Cohen knew the best and the brightest…A Certain Kind of Wizard includes Cohen’s poetry, photos, interviews, and prose writings from his remarkable journals.”
Our friend, Ed Sanders, writes (to the publisher) – “Very impressive how you’re helping build the impact and legacy of Ira Cohen. I remember reading a small book of his poetry in the 1960s and realizing what a fine poet he was.”
Further information and copies available from the The Golda Foundation