Howl Toledo: An Allen Ginsberg Memorial Reading

Bunchs Lunchbox  |  03/30/2010 7:00 am

Allen Ginsberg is one of America's foremost literary geniuses. Endlessly prolific, brilliant, groundbreaking, and brave, Ginsberg challenged the status quo and charismatically broke down literary, social, and consciousness barriers that were vital to spurring much of the iconoclastic culture that defined the second half of the 20th century.

On Monday, April 5 - the anniversary of his death - a group of Toledo readers, writers, poets, vagabonds, intellects, and outcasts will convene at the Ottawa Tavern (1815 Adams St.) for a memorial reading celebrating the life, work, and brilliance of perhaps America's greatest madman/cosmically cool hero. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and feature a reading of Ginsberg's poems and essays, as well as related stories, and locally written works inspired by the man. An open mic will follow, along with live music.

Special guest readers include Michael Kochinski, Ashley Eichner, Caroline Gauger, Michael Grover, Gary Bond, Nathan Elias, and Ryan A. Bunch, among others.

As usual, and in true train-car-hopping hobo fashion - and their usual Monday special - the Ottawa Tavern will offer up free hot dogs. Monday: have your ears molested, your mind ascended, your wits challenged, your beliefs alternately empowered and trivialized. Come, you angel-headed hipsters, gather together and join in song "America, go fuck yourself with you atom bomb." Email [email protected] for details. www.otavern.com