The Grand Opening of Generation Beat! Celebrating The Art & Literary Genius of artist, poet and activist Lawrence Ferlinghetti A "Beat Era Happening" will be produced by Obtainium Works. The Temple Art Lofts Gallery will feature an extensive collection of Ferlinghetti paintings. Informational videos will be available in the gallery about the artist and his work. The Ferlinghetti Art Collection is provided courtesy of the Rena Branson Gallery and the LF Trust. All events in the Temple Art Lofts are free except for guided tours. Jerry Cimino will bring the historic Beat Museum mobile unit to provide information and talks in the Empress Lounge.
New York-based drummer, student, and Bay Area native Adam Briere started playing the drums at the early age of five, influenced by the works of greats such as John Bonham, Elvin Jones, Mitch Mitchell, Stewart Copeland, and Philly Joe Jones. Adam co-leads a trio with New School alums, that performs regularly in New York, and throughout the North and West Coasts. Adam has performed at Nublu, Yoshi’s, the Blue Whale, SF’s Fleet Week, Summer Stage in Central Park, Modern Sky Music Festival, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival and The Royal Room, along with many others. This event is free.
Apres the Trio on the Empress Theatre Main Stage, world-renowned trumpeter, Jeff Bordes & Friends will perform onstage with an All-Star cast of six musical greats at 8:30 pm, an after-concert jam session in the Empress Lounge, visit Mr. Ric's Gallery inside the lounge.
The Festival will feature a variety of events including art, music and poetry from the Beat Generation from May 24 to June 24.
May 28 at 5:30pm - Opening Exhibition and Bebop Music by the Adam Briere Trio in the Temple Art Lofts
May 28 at 8:30pm - Jazz by Trumpeter Jeff Bordes and Friends in the Empress Theatre
June 2 at 6:00pm - Poetry Reading by San Francisco Poet Laureate Tongo Eisen-Martin followed by music with Drew Harris of the Sun Kings in the Empress Lounge
June 3 at 6:00pm - 3 films in the Empress Theatre including Subterranean Homesick Blues - A song by Bob Dyan recorded on January 14, 1965. A Rebirth of Wonder by Chris Felver, and the classic short film Pull My Daisy. Following the film will be poetry readings from the works Ferlinghetti and Ginsburg.
June 10 at 6:00pm - music by Jazz guitarist Nick Rossi and his Trio in the Temple Art Lofts
June 12 at 11:30am - Brunch and music by the Yuppie Liberation Front
June 24 at 8:00pm - Big Band Music by the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra