The National Beat Poetry Festival Is Coming to Cleveland!

Exciting news!  The National Beat Poetry Festival is coming to Cleveland! 

The official mission statement of The National Beat Poetry Festival is:

 "The National Beat Poetry Festival, as a non-profit organization, is dedicated to hosting, collaborating, and fostering joint partnerships for Beat themed poetry readings, workshops, plays, radio shows and much more locally and across America...the Beat Generation's significant writings and history of its original prime movers lives on from its inception in the early 1940's, and its legacy continues today by way of new writers, poets and artists of disparate influences and means of expression. The NBFP is committed to not only supporting venues in existence, but also in developing new venues where cultural preservation and the works of new artists can show yesterday meeting the living voices of today. NBFP's activities promote literacy and open exchange dialogue which incorporates the Beat history and art at its base, to break boundaries and bridge cultures with new thought, ideas, and free expression."

Events will be happening throughout the month of September in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Indiana, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Long Island, New York City, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Berkeley, Fredonia, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Denver, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Baltimore, New Orleans, San Luis Obispo, Chicago, Augusta Georgia, Charlotte NC, Newport News Virginia, Clearwater Florida, Venice California, Posznan Poland, Nigeria, Greece, Liverpool England, Bangalore India, Stockholm Sweden,  and Grabserberg Switzerland.  New events are added daily!

On Saturday September 19, 2015, Cleveland, OH will celebrate The National Beat Poetry Festival with the event BeatStreet Cleveland at the Barking Spider Tavern, 11310 Juniper Rd, from 3pm to 7pm, featuring poets and live music, with free admission.

YOU are invited to join us for this historic Happening!

Confirmed guests so far include:

Chansonette Buck  (Oregon) -- reading from her memoir Unnecessary Turns: Growing Up Beat

Chansonette Buck spent her childhood "on the road" as stepdaughter of a Black Mountain poet.  She holds a PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and has won awards for her visual art, poetry, and teaching. In her poem "back then" from her chapbook blood oranges, she writes about riding in the back seat of the car with her brother and Peter Orlovsky, with Allen Ginsberg and her parents in the front. 

Alex Gildzen (New Mexico) -- published by d.a. levy in the Buddhist Third Class Junkmail Oracle

Alex Gildzen is a poet and artist who uses film as the basis of his work.  He entered Kent State University in 1961, and while still an undergraduate had poems published in American Weave and Snowy Egret.  He met d.a. levy in 1965; Hugh Fox included him in his 1973 anthology The Living Underground.  His book Ohio Triangle has just been published by Crisis Chronicles Press to celebrate his 72nd birthday.  Find Gildzen at Arroyo Chamisa.


John Burroughs (Cleveland) -- poems include "Cannot Believe William S. Burroughs Is Dead" and "Allen Ginsberg Wants You"

John Burroughs is the author of The Eater of the Absurd and numerous poetry chapbooks, and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Since 2008 he has been editor/publisher for Crisis Chronicles Press; he co-founded the annual Snoetry Winter Wordfest.  He performs his dynamic poetry throughout OH, MI, WV, and PA.  His new book Beat Attitude (from NightBallet Press) will debut at BeatStreet Cleveland.

Mad Anthony (Cincinnati)

Mad Anthony delivers "wicked dueling guitars and thunderous drums," "passion, unhinged energy and volume," "reckless abandon and relentless dedication," and "highly energetic songs with fun, quirky songwriting."  Their newest cd is Sank for Days.  Ringo Jones, Adam Flaig, and Marc Sherlock thrilled Cleveland in 2010 and 2011 with their sets at Lix & Kix, and are sure to blow the roof off any place they play.


Check out BeatStreet Cleveland the blog for more details and updated information! Go HERE Stay tuned for exciting news as more poets are confirmed, and mark your calendars for this Very Special Event.  Cleveland's heart will BEAT brightly with BeatStreet at the Barking Spider in September!