Come on out and hear some of NE Ohio’s best poets reading the works of Charles Bukowski this weekend at the Barking Spider (Friday) and Visible Voice Books in Tremont (Saturday).

I’ll be at both places, hopefully not as drunk as Buke was renowned to be. Info below from Suzanne of Mac’s:

Friday & Saturday October 10th & 11th

A POEM IS A CITY

Mac’s Backs and Visible Voice Books in Tremont are sponsoring A Poem is a City, a weekend of readings celebrating the work of Charles Bukowski.

Charles Bukowski (1920-1994) was a Los Angeles poet and writer known for his gritty style and gruff persona.

The first reading will be Friday, October 10th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Barking Spider Tavern, 11310 Juniper Rd (on the CWRU campus).  Bring a Bukowski poem or excerpt to read (books will be available). You can sign up to read at the event or email suzanne@macsbacks.com

The next reading will be at Visible Voice Books, 1023 Kenilworth Road in Tremont on Saturday, October 11th from 7-9 p.m.  The reading will take place in the courtyard wine bar, to be followed by a reception at Prosperity Social Club, 1109 Starkweather, also in Tremont. Call 216-961-0084 for more info or to sign up.

Last year Mac’s and Visible Voice (and Bookstore on W. 25th St.) collaborated on a weekend of events related to the 50th Anniversary of On the Road’s publication.  In what has become an annual fall event, the bookstores team up to honor the work of a particular writer.

Charles Bukoswki wrote hundreds of poems and stories, six novels, and has had several films made from his work, most notably Factotum (Starring Matt Dillon, 2005) and Barfly (starring Mickey Rourke, 1987).

He published dozens of books with Black Sparrow Press including Love is a Dog from Hell, Post Office, Hollwood, Ham on Rye, Tales of Ordinary Madness, etc.