It was a sad moment last Friday when I got the phone call that my long time friend, Lee Groban had passed away. I went to all the usual gallerys last night, and he has been such a fixture at art events that I half expected to see him in the background wearing a pointed hat, and carrying a huge bag. I remember thinking for half a second, I'll go to Gallery Chicago and maybe I'll see Lee there.
Of course Groban is best known for writing the poem, "The Cure for Insomnia" which was the focus for a eighty plus hour movie (it even made the "Guiness Book of World Records" for longest film.) There's some fine footage here of him reading an excerpt on public transit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5akie1AjpI&fb_source=message
I talked to Katherine Chronis the other day, and she said that Lee probably realized that he is deceased at some big party in the afterlife, and that she thinks he is digging the afterlife (I'm paraphrasing here.)
Lee has already been cremnated, but his memorial will take place on Sunday, December 18 from 1 to 4 at the Packer Schoaf Gallery at 942 W. Lake. Partcipants are encouraged to wear Grobanesque clothing, and some will read works in tribute to him. I will give you my reaction to the tribute soon right here.
Unfortunately, the last ever reading at the Cafe will also take place (before the series relocates) on the same afternoon. I regret I can't go to both events. The new venue will be located at 2020 N. Oakley Ave. in Chicago (60647) at Gallery Cabret, and next year's schedule can be found at http://www.chaoticarts.org/thecafe/2012schedule.htm. The series will still be hosted by the winsome Janet Kuypers
Other poetry related events this weekend will include the annual Orphanage Christmas party (although it's mostly music it's still a fine place to read poetry) located in Brideport at 643 W, 31rst Street on Sunday evening, and yours truly will be hosting a poetry show at Cafe Mestizo from 3 to 5 today (features will include Scott DeKatch, Buddah 309, Vincent, and Jermell Clark.)
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