Our second year curating a Dia de los Muertos themed event at The Studioat620, 620 1st Ave South, in honor of the literary legacy and passing of Jack Kerouac on Oct 21st, 1969 was a big success! This poetry showcase was our first indoor poetry, live audience event in over a year, made all the more special with live music by Johnny White. Poets read selections from the 242 cantos of Mexico City Blues paired with an original poem inspired by the text. Videos of the event can be found on our Youtube channel.
Participating poets includes Skyla Luckey, Anthony Patterson, Tom Hallock, Greg Byrd, Pedro El Poeta, Donnie Ibn Malik Ali McClendon, Trey Conner, Participating poets include Skyla Luckey, Anthony Patterson, Tom Hallock, Greg Byrd, Pedro El Poeta, Donnie Ibn Malik Ali McClendon, Trey Conner, Miesha Brundridge, Jon Meliferas, Andrew Harlan, Rob McCabe and Jono Wolfe
Mexico City Blues is a collection of poems by Jack Kerouac, published in 1959 composed of 242 cantos which translates to “choruses” or stanzas. Kerouac began writing these poems while living in Mexico City in 1955. The choruses include references to members of the Beat Generation including William S. Burroughs and Gregory Corso, as well as religious figures and themes.
Event photos by Liz Nygaard
