literalley ventura: late nov news–auction, film, poetry!
This weekend marks the bitter end of November and the fresh start on December… highlights are two poetry events involving Jen Hofer in LA (Fri LA><ART, Mon REDCAT), a HUGE HUGE HUGE antique auction at the Ventucky County Fairgrounds, and BH Fairchild at Santa Barbara City College…
READ ON FOR DETAILS…
GOING ONCE! GOING TWICE! GONE! Yep those are the words associated with an auctioneer…and I want to give you a heads up about a HUGE (did you hear HUGE?)antique auction Sunday Dec. 2 at the Ventucky Fairgrounds. Preview is Saturday. The sale includes select items from an estate and tons of lots from an antique store. Most auctions have 350-500 lots; this one is set to have 800!!! It will start at 10am and be over when the last lot is sold. Many of the lots are “smalls” collectibles, that kind of thing but there’s also plenty of antique furniture. Last month’s auction saw beautiful antiques going for 75% less than what you would pay in an antique store. This is the place where dealers come to stock up. So don’t pay dealer prices–get it well below wholesale–plenty of unusual gifts (not anything you’d ever find in a mall!) for everyone on your list!!
and on to the next item–!
David Starkey, poet & professor at Santa Barbara City College emailed to say that Claremont poet B. H. Fairchild will read tonight there. Fairchild is the author of 6 books of poetry, and the winner of numerous important poetry awards and prizes including an NEA Fellowship, The CA Book Award, and the National Book Critics Award. His work is often narrative (so if you think you don’t like poetry, you might like his!) for a general audience. Fairchild will deliver a free, public poetry reading at Santa Barbara City College on Friday, November 30, at 8 p.m. in the Fé Bland Forum on the college’s West Campus. For more information, call 805 965-0581 x2345. For an interview with him, click here
LA poet & translator & Cal Arts grad poetics instructor Jen Hofer is always involved in the most intriguing activities and events–intellectually, aesthetically, and politically.
2 opportunities to see and hear her:
Tonight, 7-9pm Fri. Nov 30, celebrate the recent issue of the Journal of Aesthetics and Protest at LA>< ART 2640 S. La Cienaga, LA — In a darkened room, issue 5 contributors Evan Holloway, Jen Hofer, Tom McKenzie, Matias Viegner and Christine Wertheim will read their work.
From the forward of issue 5:
“Arguably, today the act of social networking is commodified more
visibly and materially than ever before. This commodification shouldn’t
hinder us to work in relationship to one another and in a social and
political context. Social memory with a sense of history and political
demands seems to have undergone an accelerated and profound erasure.
this rapid memory loss is facilitated by media consolidation and the
plundering of public education programs to fund global mercenary
actions. [ ]
Social justice and liberation movements have historically reiterated
that it is the way we say we (the how) that matters most. In terms of the journal’s cultural production, this thought is expressed as a desire for the synthesis of form and content. What kind of internal structures needs to be in place to be able to act quickly yet democratically in face of external oppression? What structures can actively create their way out of patriarchy? For progressive movements to be successful on a wider scale, they need to be answerable to the broad public scrutiny they often place on their enemies.”
The event will also feature the Journal Press’ newly released An Atlas of
Radical Cartography, edited by Lex Bhagat and Lize Mogel. An Atlas is a book
of artists working with “radical cartography”—a practice that uses maps and
mapping to promote social change. The 10 participating artists, architects,
and collectives take on issues from globalization to garbage and explore the
map’s role as a political agent. The exhibition and accompanying publication
contribute to a growing cultural movement that cuts across boundaries of
art, cartography, geography, and activism.
This next event Jen has been working on for the last few months…
REDCAT: THE CINEMA CABARET: LIVE FILM NARRATION
8:00 PM, December 3, 2007
“Neo-benshi at its best mashes up subversive written
scripts, deft acting, and acrobatic mind-eye
coordination.”Steve Dickinson, The Poetry Center, SFSU
Poets from LA, SF, San Diego, & New York gather at REDCAT to offer a fresh take on the Japanese tradition of “benshi”–a writer or actor who provides
live narration and commentary alongside silent films.
The neo-benshi concept invites writers/performers to
choose scenes from well-known narrative features or TV
shows, mute the soundtrack, and re-inscribe the
familiar images with new meanings. Relying mainly on
language and sound, this practice leads to a great
variety of interventions that range from hilarious
deadpan ventriloquism to more trenchant re-readings of
the original material. The artists this evening perform live redubbing of scenes from classic films including Rebel w/o a Cause and Indiana Jones.
The REDCAT show curated and produced by Konrad Steiner and Jen Hofer
with Nada Gordon, Roxi Power Hamilton, Douglas
Kearney, Eileen Myles, Jennifer Nellis and Stephanie
Young.
For something COMPLETELY different, also Fri 11/30, Helen (formerly of Retail Slut on Melrose, and of Burning Man 2007’s Oral Moistening Camp suggests checking out Virgin Night Fri 11/30 at Miss Kitty’s (link is 18 & over please) then going to Das Bunker
lacking a babysitter tonight and still hungover from asshole neighbor dramas, i will be home tonight still seeking to engage the whole soul even when stuck in ventucky…the art predator
the church of the ass hole neighbor
in 1997 at burning man, out on the hualapai playa, we camped next to the church of the ass hole neighbors. they had a bullhorn and would accost anyone who came by day or night–mostly a bunch of guys from “porn arena.” we actually got along quite well–they were very entertaining and friendly and fun.
but my neighbor here in ventucky–he really does belong to the church of the ass hole neighbors. in fact he’s a deacon. or a bishop. no the pope.
no–HE’S THE DEVIL!!!
the latest is he cut through my fence to make a gate for himself. doesn’t sound like much, does it? but this gate is right next to a gate which he is allowed to use!!
wtf????
anybody know any ways to get back at a neighbor?? we have already bought a whole slew of windchimes…
trying hard to find that which engages the whole soul even when i want to kill somebody….yours, the art predator
Joshua Tree National Park: a Thanksgiving report–part 1
We ditched Ventucky on Thanksgiving Day after a scrumptious meal of barbecued ham and Roederer champagne, and headed east away from the damp coast to the dry cold winds in Joshua Tree National Park. We weren’t alone–the 101 and the 10 were packed with cars, often it seemed with inebriated drivers, drifting side to side, perhaps to Christmas carols.
After two hours or so of stop and go traffic, we slept in our westy in our friend’s driveway in Claremont then headed east again, stopping to peruse the westies at Pop-Top Heaven in Yucaipa. We tried not to drool too much on the syncros, or do anything too hasty like buy a European imported Eurovan (the ones for the American market are too low slung for the places I go!) If you’re ready to part with your westy and want it to be loved and be filled with love and laughter, let me know!
Next stop was supposed to be Hadley’s for a date shake but the exit is also for the Cabazon Outlet Mall and the casino out there and the traffic was backed up onto the freeway even with a police officer directing traffic. The parking lots were packed; we remembered sleeping there one Christmas night on our way to another desert adventure.
The 62 which takes you north and east off the 10 toward Joshua Tree had its share of cars but at least we were off the Interstate and climbing toward desert heaven.
The signs said campgrounds full but we ignored them as we zoomed past the line at the west entrance by flashing our parks pass. We cruised Sheeps Pass group camp for future reference (we like!) then dropped down the other side of the pass to see about Jumbo Rock–where we indeed found a site–next to what looked like a raging party and home to a number of hangovers if the empties of whiskey and the throw up in the pit toilet provided any testimony. Two tents also indicated they’d be back but we decided to chance it in hopes that after the previous night’s drinking they’d be quiet and in bed earlier tonight.
The small boy and I rambled the hills and gullies and wildland around our site and the Big Monkey unloaded the bikes so we could explore the campground. We found a few more empty sites–it was sooo cold and windy, most people were evacuating–but we stuck with the one next to the whisky bottles as most of the sites in Jumbo Rocks are crammed together, cars in a lot, sardines in cans. Not what we were there for.
At sunset, we went for a hike along the interpretive trail to Skull Rock. The Little Monkey loved climbing up and exploring–the rough granite gave him plenty of purchase even if it tore up his jeans and the palms of his hands. As we strolled back, the moon rose, winking at us between the multi-story granite outcroppings.
We had planned to BBQ a rack of lamb, but with the cold, it was still partially frozen and with the wind, the Big Monkey really didn’t want to, so we made do with a back up dinner of Tuna Curry Tasty Bite and Trader Joe’s precooked brown rice which we could heat up in water on the stove. We still had a little leftover champagne to go along with it!
The wind was still rocking the van, and the temperature outside dropped to 40 degrees by 8pm so we didn’t even try a fire, just snuggled up in the van and read the LA Times and went to bed early! Fortunately–as the whisky drinkers returned to party and argue at least once with the ranger…I yelled at them to quiet down at one point; thankfully they responded by lowering their voices…
Days are short and nights are long this time of year–as always, trying to get the most out of both, I am truly yours,
the art predator
soundtrack to this post: Uakti doing Philip Glass, really loud as I’m outside to better ride the neighbor’s wifi and I want to irritate another asshole neighbor
Bird Ballet: a poem
small brown birds swarm flit
yellow flash here
black eye stripe there
warblers finches chickadees
quiet busy zip
vine shrub pine tree
they follow winter’s first rains
flee cold down mountainsides coast
numbers protect
small boy and I watch
nose to window
white droplets catch light–
more rain or even snow?
no, a torrent of insects
float glide antlike insects
wings don’t flap
yellow warbler loops by
snatches one in flight
a bit of wind brings meals in view
too many for the resident black phoebe
townsends audubons goldfinch
swoop in
insect downpour done
bird ballet over
no encore
we leave our seats
I found this poem a week or two ago when my Mac laptop crashed and I returned to use a laptop I borrowed 2 years ago. I”ve done some editing on it and will likely do more…it doesn’t do justice to the image of these odd insects & birds …the surprise we felt. I think it’s over edited right now.
BTW, if you’re wondering what happened to the meme about 4 things a beginning poet should avoid or do, I’m still working on it!! My post was lost 2x to cyberspace and haven’t had the chance or the heart to do it again. Watch for the 2 incomplete posts (Tag I’m It & Art City) in the next few days…
as always, in search of that which engages the whole soul,
the art predator
Desert Hot Springs: no kids please
I am writing from the HIghlander in Desert Hot Springs, CA, about 3o minutes from downtown Palm Springs, 2 hours from downtown LA, about an hour from incredible wildflowers in Joshua Tree National Park, about 30 minutes from Coachella Music Festival.
I’ve stayed in various funky 50s style motels here in the last 10 years (it’s awesome to soak in teh mineral water and soak up the stars after being immersed in music at Coachella) but we have done other adventures since 2003 and somehow missed out on the way the place has changed. The places I used to stay at are closed or under renovation, and the newly renovated places are great–but NONE of them take kids! We spent almost 3 hours trying to find one where we wanted to stay where we could stay!!
Finally, the woman here took pity–as long as we didn’t bring our son near the pool area! So we have some really nice digs–our own jacuzzi pool on our own patio even with absolutely the best views around. The shower is 50’s pink and black tile but other than that it’s all redone. The place is wildy groovy and has wireless… in the lobby.
So now it’s time to head back for a nice long soak…
thanksgiving & chocolate rum pecan pie recipe
GROWING A PECAN PIE REVOLUTION
Nothing says Thanksgiving or Christmas to me like warm pecan pie…with a little rum in it and some chocolate chips, maybe a little vanilla ice cream on the side…mmmm!
Give thanks to the universe this holiday season by making two homemade pecan pies—no measuring required! If you make two, you might even have some leftover to take with you—ours last year went with us to the Granite Mountains in the Mojave where we warmed them by the fire on a frosty night and enjoyed with a little tawny port!
My dad’s dad grew his own pecans out in Bakersfield. He and my grandma–with her beautifully gnarled arthritic hands– spent hours watching TV and shelling them so come Thanksgiving and Christmas, we’d have pecans for pie and candied yams. I remember cold fall evenings climbing the trees with my cousins, and shaking the limbs until the pecans rained down.
One Thanksgiving in Santa Cruz I set my former husband and housemate to shelling pecans from a huge jar. The house smelled of the oven warming, butter melting, and nutmeg, strong scent of fresh nutmeg. “We can’t find the pecans–it’s all shell,” they complained. No wonder–they were trying to find the pecan meat inside nutmegs!
All over the east end of Ventucky, before they grew avocados, before they grew oranges and lemons, they grew walnuts by the acre. I grew up out there near the government center, on Burl Street, so-named after walnut burls. Every house had a walnut tree in the yard; some even launched walnuts for us to find on our way to Mound School. We’d crack them open with our teeth, maybe find a nest of spiders. Maybe not.
If we can grow walnuts here in Ventucky, why not pecans? Perhaps we can plant a pecan or two dozen here in midtown, and some downtown, gather us enough pecans to make us a few pies for one of those second Thursday Midtown Council meetings, or Monday city council meetings. Don’t forget to put in the rum or chocolate chips. Vanilla ice cream on the side would be nice too (and maybe a little extra rum!)
We could grow a pecan pie revolution! It’s really easy to make pecan pies—epecially if you make two at a time. Change the world– make it a better, sweeter, richer, more satisfying place—one slice at a time.
This Thanksgiving we’re taking our leftover chocolate rum pecan pie and port off to Joshua Tree National Park for some bouldering, exploring, and cycling plus a stop for some r & r at Desert Hot Springs –leaving momentarily!
How to Make 2 Revolutionary Pecan Pies w/o measuring:
because one is never enough and it’s just as easy to make 2
You need–
2 pie shells
a bottle of dark corn syrup (Karo)
1 box brown sugar (or a 1/2 bag or 2 cups)
some molasses (optional—up to a 1/2 cup)
half dozen eggs, slightly beaten
a bag/pound of shelled pecans (whole halfs or broken)
2 handfuls chocolate chips
2 tsp vanilla (small spoon)
2 T dark rum (large spoon)
4 T melted butter (cut a cube in half and melt in the microwave)
a pinch salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the eggs lightly with a fork in a big bowl. Mix in the brown sugar, corn syrup, salt, molasses, rum, vanilla, butter. Spread pecans and chocolate chips across the pie shells, then pour half the mixture into the two pie pans and bake at 350 degrees for an hour or until a knife stuck in comes out clean. If the pans are overfull, you can put the extra in to any oven safe baking dish and cook it for a shorter time with the rest. TIP: You can usually find glass pie pans in a thrift store. Buy crusts already prepared (check to see if they use lard!) and lay them out in the pan; be sure to “marry” any creases or cracks by blending the edges together with your fingers.
Update; Thanksgiving 2008–my pies are in the oven! are yours?? Happy Thanksgiving!
gonna try to write about Art City
because I have to for the cryer, have to finish my article for the next issue, but have to sort through my sadness, my grief for what has been lost there, and to recognize what is still there and what has always been there–a huge heart.
too bad that beautiful alalbaster heart that i was going to finish was destroyed in the first fire. it would make a great image for this post.
another post in progress…
TAG–I’m IT!
ok, so what’s a meme anyway?
danika at open channel tagged me to write 4 things beginning poets should attend to and 4 things to avoid. i think she called it a meme (is that pronounced mee-mee? or meeem? or meeem-ee? anyway so here goes!
a beginning poet should attend to:
1. READINGS!
even if there isn’t an open mic, especially if there isn’t an open mic, go to as many readings as possible and listen–listen to what catches your attention, listen for sounds which find your ear, listen for images which ignite your inner eye. listen to how the poet reads the work, introduces the work, pauses, speeds up, plays with the words. or doesn’t. try to remember one image and tell the poet about it. most communities have poetry readings listed somewhere on line or in print. the listings aren’t usually correct but they can give you a start. if you’re in california, poetryflash.org lists readings all over the state. pw.org lists readings they are co-sponsoring.
2. POETRY IS EAR CANDY! READ WORK ALOUD!
not just yours but other poets, any poet. listen to how they write to inform your reading, listen to how the words tickle your tongue while they tickle your fancy, how they might roll around in your mouth, slide into each other, or dance right out to seduce your ear.
3. MAKE CHOICES. know that every thing you do in your poem is a choice you make to inform your reader how to read and understand your poem.
avoid:
1. centering your poem unless you have a specific reason for centering–unless it’s a concrete poem or a stanza poem like herbert’s easter wings or you have some other reason which helps your reader understand your poem. poems on hallmark cards are centered. unless you are writing a poem which you will be submitting to a card company, do not center it.
2. if you must rhyme (for example you are writing a ballad or villanelle or some particular form) put the rhyme at the end of the line.
3.
i am working on this post still…more to come soon. i already wrote it once and it got eaten by the cyberspace monster
Barking: 8/1/07 3:15 experiment poem
with this post, on danika’s recommendation, i am joining rhian’s Monday poetry train, and will hereby do my best to post a poem each monday
the following is a poem from this year’s 315 experiment–a transcription of what i wrote at 315am Aug 1–followed by a version edited tonight. for more info go to http://www.315experiment.com
Weds Aug 1 315am Ventura
The damned dogs sound
mechanical in the warm fog
a metal larygnx
spews out barks
its voicebox rusting
hollow echoing
bouncing off the fog
ricocheting in the
sweaty night
what are you barking at dog
what are you barking for dog
can’t you tell that no one cares
the way you do
stop crying into the night
shake the disturbance
out of your belly
find your home your bed
tuck your nose
under your tail
and shut the fuck up
revised 8/1 315 poem:
Damned dog sounds
mechanical in warm fog
metal larygnx
spews out barks
voicebox rusty
hollow echoes
bounce in fog
ricochet off
sweaty night
what are you barking at dog
what are you barking for dog
can’t you tell no one cares
the way you do?
stop crying into the night
shake the disturbance
out of your belly
find your home your bed
tuck your nose
under your tail
& shut the fuck up
shut the fuck up!
>> 2 good reasons to go to santa paula saturday 11/17: reason 2
Lettre Sauvage publishes the cryer, broadsides, cards, chapbooks, t-shirts and lots of cool stuff and their gathering Saturday would be the second reason to go to Santa Paula Nov. 17 because as they announce:
We’re having our first party! All Lettre Sauvage print work will be on display. There will be demonstrations of our equipment and the opportunity to print greeting cards.
Entertainment includes Opal Gann’s electronic tonalities, Sophia Kidd’s performance art and possibly some film screenings. Jean Benoit, wine maker at Casa Baranca, will host the vin. All are welcome. Please stop by and power our machines with your regards.
check out Lettre Sauvage on my blogroll
art predator 