News, New & Of Note

Welcome to News, New & Of Note where you'll find the latest happenings from our friends and family in the Poetry, Music and Art world. Check back often as we'll update with the latest and greatest happenings as they cross our desks here at Insomniacathon.org



News, New & Of Note! - Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years -Stage / screen actor and folk legend, Theodore Bikel, a lifelong social justice advocate, will be feted by Family, Friends and Colleagues celebrating his LifeLoveWork devoted to art and activism with a star-studded 85th birthday benefit concert at Carnegie Hall on June 15th at 7:30 PM with the proceeds going to the The Juvenile Law Center, a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

1963 Newport Folk Festival (l-r) Peter Yarrow, Mary Travers, Paul Stookey, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, The Freedom Singers, Pete Seeger and Theodore Bikel singing "We Shall Overcome" - Photo by John Byrne Cooke.

Also Of Note! - The Newport Folk Festival Turns 50! - The Newport Folk Festival was founded in 1959 by Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, Pete Seeger and George Wein, founder of the already-well-established Newport Jazz Festival, and his partner, Albert Grossman. Click Here To Learn More About Newport 50!

News & Of Note! - From Louisville to New York and Beyond! - Louisville Blues jewel, Tyrone Cotton comes back once again to the Turning Point for another evening of his soulful Blues on June 6th. Click Here To Reserve tickets for this fabulous show!





News & Of Note! - The Master Musicians of Joujouka - The Boujeloud Rite 2009 - On June 5 - 7, Morocco's Sufi trance Masters, The Master Musicians of Joujouka, once again will be celebrating in a music festival, the The Boujeloud Rite. For a Day and a Night a small group of guests (Icelandic musician and Insom contributor, Michael Dean Odin Pollock and Marlon Pollock in attendance) will stay in the village of Ksar El Kebir with the Master Musicians of Joujouka and their families with a visit to the 8th century sanctuary of Joujouka's patron saint, Sidi Ahmed Schiech, and to the cave of Pan / Boujeloud. That evening at the cave there will be a full performance of the Boujeloud Rite devoted to the healing trance music of Joujouka. To Learn More about this wonderous celebration of Music and Spirit, Click Here!





News & Of Note! - A Weekend of Amram! - The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Jazz at the Conservatory Series presents, "A Weekend with David Amram" on May 30th and 31st. This weekend long celebration features David's Jazz, Latin, Film, Poetry and World Music compositions. David is joined by a grand line-up of singers, musicians and poets for this weekends festivities, Click Here for more details. tix and times.





Of Note On this Memorial Day 2009 we stand in mindful respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.




American author, columnist and storyteller, Garrison Keillor imparted A Sonnet For Memorial Day on his Variety Radio show "A Prairie Home Companion" back in 2004. Click Here To Read "A Sonnet For Memorial Day.

Peace to each selfless soul that sleeps; Rest to each faithful eye that weeps . . .





News, New & Of Note! - Back To The Land of Fire and Ice - Singer, Songwriter and Poet, Michael Dean Odin Pollock is back in Reykjavik and will be performing at Cafe Rosenberg on May 17th, 9:00 PM bringing home his intrinsic style of RootsBlues to his Homeland.

News, New & Of Note! - Talkin' Bout' . . . - The Midnight Ramble - NYC poet, Frank Messina, will make a special guest appearance on May 16th with Jazz Fusion sensation band, Hipmotism led by Levon Helm's long-time sax-sideman, Erik Lawrence. The legendary Levon Helm headlines this very special event. Limited amount of tickets on sale now! Click Here For Tickets and More Info!




Of Note! - The Wesak Moon - On Saturday morning, May 9th, two minutes past midnight, the Moon becomes Full in Scorpio as it moves opposite the Sun in Taurus, marking the Festival of Wesak. What makes this Full Moon unique is its deep spiritual symbolism, celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, invoking the Buddha-nature of humanity. More than a religious observation or new age gimmick, the Wesak Full Moon is an annual event of profound spiritual significance that goes far beyond one’s personal affiliations and beliefs. Astrologick at Insomniacathon On-Line's Gary Paul Glynn has a wonderful illumanae on the Festival of Wesak, Click Here and bathe in the glow of the story / meaning of The Wesak Moon .





News, New & Of Note! - Forever Young - On May 3rd, Singer, Songwriter and tireless Activist, Pete Seeger turns 90 years young. A huge cadre of compatriots are gathering at NYC's Madison Square Garden for a sold out show titled The Clearwater Concert: Creating The Next Generation of Environmental Leaders which is a benefit concert celebrating the LifeLoveWork of their grand friend's Birthday at 5 PM (Click Here To View Invitation and Celebrating Line-Up).

l-r - David Amram, Pete Seeger, Odetta and Toshi Regan at the Clearwater Festival, Beacon NY Summer 2008 - Photo by Maxine Smith and John Economos -

Amongst this stellar line-up will be Roland Moussa with the Native American Indian Cultural Alliance. Joining the Alliance will be long time friend and compatriot of Pete, David Amram. David wrote a note for Pete and has been so kind to share his note. Click Here To Read David's "To Pete on his 90th" .

News & Of Note! - The Bluesmasters Series at B.B. King's Club & Grill - An incredible evening of various Blues styles covering Delta and Chicago Blues, Louisiana Swamp and Texas Blues too at the legendary B.B. King's Club & Grill in NYC. Apearing will be recording session sensation Cornell Dupree featuring PaPa HooDoo Texas Guit-Slinger Lance Lopez and legendary Nashville Bluesman Johnny Jones on May 1st. Show starts at 7:00 PM sharp, Tickets are $20 in Advance, $25 Day of Show. General admission seated show - First come, first seated - Standing room at bar. A David Kramer Production.



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News & Of Note! - Jack's Last Call Comes to Huntington - A Live Performance of Pat Fenton's Audie Award - nominated audio drama, Jack's Last Call: Say Goodbye to Kerouac will be performed at The Book Revue in Huntington, LI. This performance features Drew Keil as Jack Kerouac, Sue Ann Dennehy as Jan Kerouac, Jack O'Connell as Leo Kerouac, Sonya Tannenbaum as Memere Kerouac and Ed Dennehey as Neil Cassady. This performance is on Saturday, April 25, 7:00 PM. Admission is free but reservations are suggested. Click Here for furthur details. To Learn More about Jack's Last Call: Say Goodbye to Kerouac, Click Here.




Of Note - Earth Day 2009 - On April 22, 1970, 20 million people, 2,000 colleges and universities, 10,000 grammar and high schools and 1,000 communities mobilized for the first nationwide demonstrations on environmental problems. Congress adjourned for the day so members could attend Earth Day events in their districts. The response was nothing short of remarkable, and the modern American environmental movement took off. Click Here for more History detail -



Much has come to protect and nurture this tiny blue marble we all live on but there is is still much more to do if we are to survive in spite of ourselves. In Honor and Solemn Reminder we bring forth a poem by the great American counterculture Novelist, Essayist and Playwright, Kurt Vonnegut Jr. from his last book, A Man Without A Country, read Kurt Vonnegut's "Requiem".

Mother Earth is our only home. Click Here to Learn How You Can Do Your Part to help preserve our Planet for our future generations. Think Green! - Happy Earth Day!

Of Note - National Poetry Month - Started in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month brings together publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools, and poets around the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Click Here to Learn More about National Poetry Month!

News, New & Of Note! - New Season, New Stadium, New Dreams - The New York Mets start the 2009 season at a new stadium. Citi Field is the new home of the Amazin's and they'll be playing their first exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox on April 3rd.



In grand tandem fashion, "The Met Poet", Frank Messina will be celebrating the new season with readings from his new book, Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry.



There will be a jam packed week of Messina Mets mirth starting at the Happy Ending Lounge hosted by Gelf Magazine, April 2, 8 PM then a special appearence at The Cornelia Street Cafe with David Amram and Quartet on April 6th, 8:30 PM.



April 8th finds the Met Poet Live from Little Italy on the Giambotta Dolce Radio Show hosted by Maryann Maisano, broadcast live from Grotta Azzurra Ristorante in Little Italy at 8 PM on the Dolce Channel.



Wrapping the week up it's The World Premiere official reading and book signing of Full Count: The Book of Mets Poetry. happenning at Barnes & Noble 18th St NYC on April 9th, 6 PM - 7:30 PM.



For more Messina, The Mets and Everything Poetry! Click Here!





News & Of Note! - A Conscience In Touch with Humanity - The Centennial Celebration of Nelson Algren - The Algren Committee of Chicago celebrates the 100th Birthday of writer, poet, Nelson Algren on March 28th. Algren, the author of such masterworks as Chicago: City on the Make, The Man with the Golden Arm and Never Come Morning would of been 100 this March 27 and although Algren died in 1981, his legacy and spirit burn white hot in his home town.




The Algren Committee (which Insom contributor, poet Charlie Newman is a member) is dedicating this year's Algren Celebration to Studs Terkel (who was one of the founders of the Nelson Algren Committee which was formed in 1989) and will be a jam packed evening of poetry, music, art and media all in the Algren vein.

This year's Celebration takes place at St. Paul’s Church - Acme Art Works, 2215 W. North Ave. in Chicago. Festivities start at 8 PM. To Learn More about Nelson Algren and this year's Celebration program Click Here and visit www.nelsonalgren.org.

Of Note Spring Forward, Look Back Celebrations of Spring were born of Earth's natural cycles of light and darkness, of life and death. Ancient cultures took note of the change in seasons and made offerings to their local gods to receive blessings for the year. On March 20, 2009, at precisely 7:44 AM. EDT , the Sun will cross directly over the Earth's equator. This moment is known as the Vernal Equinox. Click Here to Learn More of this Physical and Metaphysical point of transition.




News, New & Of Note! - Astrologick expands to a Weblog - Astrologick Editor and Creator Gary Paul Glynn is pleased to announce that Astrologick has launched www.astroblogick.com a weblog version of what is here at Insomniacathon. Insomniacathon will still be running the Weekly Astrologick Forecast that you have come to know but will be adding links to www.astroblogick.com to extended astrological content that Gary Paul Glynn will go into greater detail on specific subjects. Also in the works will be monthly astrology forecasts, personal profiles and other intriguing content. Be sure to visit www.astroblogick.com for even more Cosmic connectivity!





Of Note - Sorrow and Appall - On this marker day of "Shock and Awe" the conflict in Iraq began March 19, 2003 and sadly continues. As there is a new Administraion diligently trying to repair the damages done over the last 8 years, the People once again resound, Peace Now!



In honor and respect for those who have lost we bring you contributing Insom Alt-Journalist, Jeremy Hogan's VidClip of Joan Baez at Camp Casey in Crawford, TX asking the question once again, "Where Have All The Flowers Gone."

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Also Of Note In the early Spring of 2003, Ron Whitehead, NYC poet, Frank Messina and fellow Kentuckyians Andy Cook and Sarah Elizabeth crossed the Atlantic on The War Poets Tour to perform in Iceland, The UK and Ireland. In observence of yet another year of "Poetry Amidst a World of Struggle" Click Here to see and hear their experiences.





Of Note! - St. Patrick's Day at Insomniacathon On-Line! - Love, Faith, Hope - In celebration on this St. Patrick's Day 2009, we are pleased to share a story of An Evening with Alphie McCourt as told by NYC Writer, Author and Playwright, Patrick Fenton. Click Here To Read Pat Fenton's "An Evening with Aphie McCourt." Happy St Patrick's Day 2009!





News, New & Of Note! - World Premiere of "Saint Misbehavin' - The Life and Time of Wavy Gravy" - Ripple Effects Films and Director, Michelle Esrick are thrilled to announce the World Premiere of "Saint Misbehavin' - The Life and Time of Wavy Gravy" at the SXSW 2009 Film & Music Festival. Click Here To Learn More!

News, New & Of Note! - "A Moment of Life" - David Amram and a stellar ensemble gather to celebrate the work of Robert Frank at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC on March 4th at 2:10 PM.

Presented in honor of Looking In: Robert Frank's "The Americans" Joining David will be Andrew Simpson, Piano, Steve Brinegar, French Horn, Benjamin Greanya, Bassoon, Pepe Gonzalez, Bass, David McDonald, Drums and Noah Getz, alto saxophone.

National
Women's History Month

News, New & Of Note! Insomniacathon On-Line! celebrates National Women's History Month 2009 with a pooling of the wealth the women at Insomniacathon On-Line! bring to a Global Literary Renaissance! Click Here to View!

News, New & Of Note! - The East Coast Premiere of David Amram's "Symphonic Variations On A Song By Woody Guthrie" - Will be performed by The Pioneer Valley Symphony at The Academy of Music in Portsmouth MA on February 28th at 7:30 PM

The world premiere performance of David Amram's "Symphonic Variations On A Song By Woody Guthrie" was performed by the Symphony Silicon Valley on September 29th, 2007. Click Here To Read David Amram's Notes for Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie.

Also Of Note! - This performance was recorded and is available to listen to on line from the website of Symphony Silicon Valley. Click Here To Listen!

Of Note! - A Celebration of An American Voice - On February 24th, Family, Friends, Artists and keepers of The Flame will gather to celebrate in Words and Song the LifeLoveWork of singer, songwriter and social activist, Odetta at Riverside Church in NYC at 7 PM. This celebration is free and open to the public with doors opening at 6 PM. Scheduled to lend Heart, Mind and Soul in song and word are David Amram, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Oscar Brand, Tom Chapin, Guy Davis, Ruby Dee, Emory Joseph, Wavy Gravy, Geoffrey Holder, The Holmes Bros., Marie Knight, Maria Muldaur, Bernice Reagon, Sonia Sanchez, Pete Seeger, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Josh White, Jr., Peter Yarrow along with more special guests YTBA

Memorial Celebration for Odetta

Live! on WBAI 99.5 FM - www.wbai.org

New & Of Note! - The orginal Progressive FM Radio station WBAI FM 99.5 will be broadcasting Live from Riverside Church at 7 PM (EST) and streaming Live on the Web! Click Here To Listen Live!

l-r - David Amram, Pete Seeger, Odetta and Toshi Regan at the Clearwater Festival, Beacon NY Summer 2008 - Photo by Maxine Smith and John Economos -

Also Of Note! Long time friend and compatriot, David Amram, shares a touching reflect of his good friend. Click Here To Read his reflect "For Odetta".



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Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

Of Note! On this year's Mardi Gras,"PoorBob" Sushko weighs in with some sooth on Fat Tuesday 2009! Click Here to read his reflect.




Of Note - Mood Indigo - The man who brought "The Historic Approach to The Positive Music" for over 3 decades in Philadelphia, DJ and Musicologist for WRTI 90.1 FM , Harrison Ridley, Jr. passed on February 19th. A tireless champion of the music, Harrison was also a passionate educator teaching at West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the Clef Club, Temple University Center City, the Villanova University Honors Program, and the African-American Studies Department at Temple University. His smooth, endearing radio persona was punctuated with his trademark "Yes Indeedy." Harrison Ridley, Jr. was a true original and an icon in the Jazz Radio world. Click Here To Learn More About Harrison Ridley, Jr.






News & Of Note! - Jack's Last Call nominated for Audie Award! - Patrick Fenton's radio/stage Play, Jack's Last Call: Say Goodbye to Kerouac has been nominated for an Audie Award in the Audio Drama category. The Audies (produced by the Audio Publishers Association) is the only awards program in the U.S. entirely devoted to recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken word entertainment. The 2009 Gala will be held on May 29 at the New York Historical Society in New York City, New York. Congratulations to Pat Fenton, Sue Zizza, cast and crew for recieving the nomination!





News, New & Of Note! - And On It Goes - A New Year, new vistas, new perspectives and that ribbon of Highway that leads on to the Now. The Road's call continues and finds the Faithful hitting the bricks for parts both near and far.



February 16th finds Storm Generation poet, Ron Whitehead at the Granada International Festival of Poetry in Granada, Nicaragua.





This year's Festival is hosting more than 100 poets from over 50 countries in a grand CELEBRATION OF POETRY that involves all Nicaragua where all the particpants, native and visitor, carry out a National Party of International Magnitude. Click Here To View the Program for El Festival Internacional de Poesía de Granada.

New and of Note! On this Valentine's Day 09' join the Insom Love Fest with a couple of VidClips of affectionate prose from David Amram, and one from Frank Messina. Also a soulful ballad Mp3 to swing and sway with your baby from Gamble & Huff hitman, Bunny Sigler (with James Walck laying down the big bottom) on "Can You Feel It" Happy Valentine's Day!





News & Of Note! - Now Is Still The Time! - David Amram at Large! - As in his seemingly indefatiguable fashion, David is beating the bricks as well. The beginning of February finds David at the University of Cincinnati for I Gave Away The Sky - A Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Gregory Corso.

This celebration started Jan 20 and goes through through Feb 6 commemorating the Spirit and Aesthetic of Gregory Corso. During this 18 day celebration of the LifeLoveWork of Gregory Corso there will be concerts, readings, lectures.

Since 1956 when they first met, David was a huge propponent of Gregory and feels honored and blessed to be at I Gave Away The Sky. David performs An Evening of Music with Jane Carver on Tuesday, Feb. 3 - 7PM at Cincinnati Memorial Hall.

Also Of Note - Corso - The Last Beat - This movie is a NOT MISS - Directors Advanced Screening / Free and open to the public - Friday, February 6 - 5:30 PM - University of Cincinnati, DAAP Building rm. 4400. Click Here To Learn More About Corso - The Last Beat .

Of Note! - The Year of The Ox - The Chinese New Year begins on Monday, January 26th, celebrating the Year of the Ox. The Ox, (or the Buffalo) symbolizes prosperity through strength and hard work. The Ox is dependable, calm and modest. Those born under the sign of the Ox are fortunate to be stable and persevering.The Ox year brings success only through discipline and hard work. To Learn More about the Year of the Ox Click Here. Kung Hei Fat Choi - Happy New Year!

Of Note & In Rememberance As President-Elect Obama and his Vice-President-Elect Biden made their way from Philadelphia to Washington D.C. I heard a man say along their way, "I can now Dare to Hope." On this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day read these poems fromJeremy Hogan and Charlie Newman . May Peace Be.

News & Of Note - "One's Art goes as far and as deep as one's Love goes" - Heralded as one of America's most celebrated Painter's, Andrew Wyeth passed on in his sleep at his family home in Chadd's Ford, PA on January 16th, he was 91 years young.



In a career that spanned over 7 decades, Wyeth's realist, figurative paintings of rural life in Pennsylvania and Maine split the critics at a time when High Modernism was at the forefront.



In a time where fashion predicated bombast Abstract Expressionism, Wyeth chose to speak quietly, seeking beauty in sentimental illustrative recount, capturing the serene beauty of his beloved Chester County realm of farms, fields winding roads and the everyday people who provided the inspiration to his imaginative minds-eye. Fashion comes and goes but great Art lives forever and so will the LoveLifeArt of Andrew Wyeth.





News, New & Of Note! - World Premiere of David Amram Piano Concerto No. 1! - Pianist Jon Nakamatsu with Symphony Silicon Valley of San Jose under the baton of conductor, Paul Polivnick will present the World Premiere of David Amram's Piano Concerto No.1 - "Three Songs: A Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" on January 15th at The California Theatre in San Jose, Ca. Concert begins at 7:30 PM, There will also be repeat performances on January 17th and 18th. Also Of Note! - San Jose Mercury News Reporter, Richard Scheinin was at the Premiere. Read his story, Pianist Nakamatsu and Symphony Silicon Valley debut spellbinding Amram concerto .

presents


News & Of Note! - From The Town to City - "Jack's Last Call" comes to NYC! - Patrick Fenton's stage/audio play "Jack's Last Call" comes to Theater for the New City, January 10th for a reading starring Ron Ryan as Jack Kerouac, Anna Lisa McClelland as Jan, Jack O'Connell as Leo, Mary Tierney as Memere and Tim Babcock as Neal Cassady. Doors open at 7:00pm, Suggested Donation $5.Click Here for Directions to Theater for the New City!