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UPDATE: We WIN! Beyond Baroque has received a 25 year lease... for a buck! A message from Author and Mentor to 1000's, Jack Grapes .  I don't usually do these kinds of emails asking people to help a
cause. There are so many causes, national, local, personal.
But for us, we poets and writers of Los Angeles, a very unique
institution is being threatened by the usual forces of corporate blah
blah and anti-arts perogatives. If you read in the paper today about
Duttons Bookstore closing in Brentwood , you know what I mean. Doug Dutton has
been a friend to all the poets and writers in this city, and the loss
of that bookstore is a real and true loss to an important part of our
cultural heritage.
THE SAME IS TRUE FOR BEYOND BAROQUE in VENICE.
Please do what you can to help save this institution, or we'll be
reading in the paper about another loss of an important part of our
cultural and literary heritage. You need only go to their web site, at
www.beyondbaroque.org to see the impressive list of events and poets
and writers they sponsor and bring to this city. THERE IS NO OTHER
PLACE LIKE THIS IN LOS ANGELES, and their loss would be devastating to
so many poets and writers and other literary organizations.
I remember the workshops we used to have there in the late 60s, in
that small front storeroom, and poets like Tom Waits, Excene Cervenka
(lead singer and writer for the L.A. band X), Wanda Coleman, Kate
Braverman, Jim Krusoe, etc., and the readings that have brought in
poets like Allan Ginsberg and other famous American poets, and of
course, our own class readings which we've held there complete with
water pistol showdowns and the like. Beyond Baroque is a cultural
landmark, supporting poets and writers for nearly half a century,
bringing the community together in all sorts of cultural and political
ways.
Please send a note to Councilman Bill Rosendahl expressing your
support. If each of you do this, it will be a significant response,
and can truly make a difference. All you need say is that you feel it
vital that Beyond Baroque continue, and that it's an important
institution in our city, and that you hope the lease will be extended,
and that he must do all he can to support Beyond Baroque.
A quick email and it's done. Or a postcard. Or a hot-air balloon.
The following is from Fred Dewey, Executive/Artistic Director of
Beyond Baroque. Please write or call as directed below. This is
important to our community.
Alert - A Call For Community Action
HELP PROTECT
BEYOND BAROQUE,
LA'S HISTORIC INSTITUTION!
After much effort on everyone's part, our Councilman Bill Rosendahl
recommended
a 25-year lease extension for Beyond Baroque to the City General
Services Department.
Unfortunately, it now appears the City Attorney is recommending
against an extension.
We are now in great peril. Our lease is up in a few weeks and
uncertainty is threatening grants, programming and our entire future.
Please express your support to the Councilman, ask him why this is
happening, and what he is doing to protect Beyond Baroque.
Beyond Baroque is a vital and historic national institution and has
been LA's only literary center for four decades. Please do not let it
be destroyed.
Here is the contact information for Councilman Bill Rosendahl:
Councilman Bill Rosendahl
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street
Rm 415
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7011
(213) 473-6926 (fax)
Email: Councilman.Rosendahl@lacity.org
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