Say "yes" to oakland.
Sat, Jun 12 2010: It was a big night for literature in the Bay Area: Charlie Jane Anders' Writers With Drinks hosted Tobias Wolff and Lev Grossman and 4x National Poetry Slam winner Taylor Mali, who read at the first-ever Literary Death Match to be held in the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts just the night before, not to mention Corrina Bain, who Stephen Elliott convinced me would blow my mind; Intersection for the Arts celebrated its 45th birthday party; and East Bay on the Brain held things down in Oakland, returning to The Layover for its second installment of an East Bay-only allstar lineup.
The decision was tough, but I decided on East Bay on the Brain for a number of reasons:
- EBOB founder and host Lauren Becker is onto something: the East Bay doesn't seem to have enough going on. This fact, combined with the burgeoning understanding that a lot of us live in Oakland, or Berkeley, and don't need to go to San Francisco for a reading, seems to have galvanized some of us into action. I believe in this movement and hope to support it however I can.
- I know there are a few things going on here, but there doesn't seem to be anything large-scale. What I mean is: there might be a lot of little groups here and there (Oakland's hip, man), but I couldn't tell you one thing any San Franciscans ever goes over the bridge for. Or through the tunnel for. Not a reading series. But the train goes both ways, you guys! It's time to give SF'ers a reason to see it that way. If we can bring people over for literature, we will be strengthening the whole Bay Area community, sewing the seed all over the land, if you will. The effects of this could be dynamite.
- I had seen and really like the following readers: Charlie Haas, Shanthi Sekaran, MK Chavez, Reynard Seifert, and Catherine Sharpe. I had never seen Kaya Oakes, whose recent book Slanted and Enchanted recently caught my attention, or Sam Hurwitt, whose critical writing I have read and hope to read regularly.
- I know (and Lauren mentioned) that Paul Corman-Roberts has been helping her out with the series. Not only is Paul one of my neighborhood heroes, but he is also a long-time (I think 15 years? I'll have to confirm how long he's been a) resident of Oaktown. We both live in Fruitvale, and he knows all the shortcuts. And all the open mics. And the readings. And the readers. I know it's a good thing Lauren is collaborating with him; I think this series has the potential to become an institution.
It was a really warm evening. The readers, as anticipated, were each strong, and reminded me why I like them so much. I had seen Mr. Haas at a Literary Death Match months back, and then at Porchlight—he has to be one of my favorite readers; it is always such a delight. And recently I have seen Shanthi read several times—she is such a masterful writer, and has a startlingly broad range of literary talent. MK is her own universe, distinct and powerful and sometimes surprisingly fun (so you better pay attention. Her writing is so sharp that, if you don't, it can cut you). She had a few copies of the new Walrus—you should check that out (speaking of a table of contents packed with a diversity of talents!). It was a pleasure to see Reynard again—it always is—his writing always makes me feel like I'm suddenly onto something.
One result I have noticed of an all-East Bay lineup is that the material and styles seem to be varied, and I like how this comes together to show how different we can be while living in the same place. The Bay Area is a really diverse literary ecosystem, and this is not always something that comes across in a themed reading.
The stellar attendance, even while these other big events were going on, is a testament that there is and will be a demand for coming together on this side of the great bay. Enjoy the videos below. And stay tuned: something good is happening over here. From Fruitvale, Oakland, I wish you well!
Catherine Sharpe
MK Chavez » The Walrus » Full of Crow
Sam Hurwitt (check out his arts blogging, you guys!) » Shurwitt
Shanthi Sekaran » The Prayer Room
Kaya Oakes » Slanted and Enhanted: The Evolution of Indie Culture
The following story is entitled:
"The Curse of the Parking Ticket"
Check out the first East Bay on the Brain
Check out the zero volume
As you probably know, EBOB curator Lauren Becker is also founding editor of Corium Magazine, which will release its second issue this Monday. Check it out!
« Announcements, etc. »
- Have you heard about the Rumpus Book Club? It's the best idea. Footage from The June Rumpus coming up next!
- If you don't love Alia Volz, we have some differences! Read The Inn & Out.
- Read Ian Tuttle's story The Submersible.
- If you haven't read We're Getting On yet, you really should. Here's another excerpt. July 16. Update: look who's now on the cover of Poets & Writers. Yeah, I mean, I probably had nothing to do with that. That was a rare joke.
- Quiet Lightning reader Roger Porter has just published The Souls of Hood Folk. It's a m a z i n g.
If you have anything you'd like me to include, send me an email.
Check out these recent events:
Quiet Lightning: Neighborhood Heroes, v.1
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Comments
Yes, good choice. East Bay needs support! You can make a difference, and you did/do which is way cool. Incidentally, on the same weekend, on Paul Corman-Roberts advice, I checked out "Sexxy Sundays" (Sexxy Sundays - weekly. Adult Erotic poetry / Live R&B entertainment. Kimball's Carnival - 2nd & Washington Jack London Square / Oakland/ starts @ 8) and it was wonderful!
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