Intermedio

January 17, 2009

Billy Collins



Intermedio

Kim, Michael & Kathy

Joan Rivers & Michael

The week between the two sessions of the Literary Seminar passed so quickly that we hardly had time to stop and catch our breath. Of course it did not help matters that we had even more events and activities to fill the space. Not that I am complaining mind you, we are fortunate to live in a wonderful community full of art & culture and any number of wonderful choices when it comes to finding things to keep us busy.
Right off the bat on Monday evening was the first in the 2009 Friends of the Key West Library lecture series, which has moved this year to The Studios of Key West. I am a member of the board of the Friends and work each week helping take tickets from attendees of the lectures.



Two Elenas

The series kicked off with a bang with an incredible reading from former Poet Laureate of the United States, Billy Collins. Taking tickets took on greater significance due to the overflow crowd that packed the armory for Billy’s reading. Collins is in town for the literary seminar and we were thrilled that he agreed to read as part of our lecture series. I have posted a YouTube video of Billy Collins reading one of his most famous poems.



Billy Collins will be returning once again to Key West for the 2010 Key West Literary Seminar, Clearing the Sill of the World: A Celebration of 60 Years of American Poetry in Honor of Richard Wilbur. He will be joined by the likes of Maxine Kuman, James Tate, Charles Simic, Mark Strand, Richard Wilbur and many more.

Billy & Martha

Writers Alison Lurie & Edward Hower greet Billy

In addition to the lecture series, we also attended a release party for the latest issue of the Key West Literary journal, “The Secret of Salt” which is published by our friend Kim Narenkivicius and actually includes a couple of my photos.

Robert, Seava & Cricket

Howard

Jennifer O'Lear & daughter

The party was held during the monthly Walk on White gallery walk and included a display of the latest creations by Rick Keith & Steve King as well as the release of a new novel by local author Jennifer O’Lear. It was another wonderful evening with good friends.

Steve King

Elenora & Kathy

Marilyn & Reese Palley

Finally, I had a minor brush with fame when I happened to be in my friend Christopher’s wonderful book store, Voltaire Books during a book signing for legendary comedienne Joan Rivers. There must have been 300 people there including every drag queen in town. In fact Randy Roberts, who actually portrays Joan as part of his act, was there to meet the iconic Rivers who was in town to perform a concert.

Joan Rivers & Randy Roberts


Billy Collins website

Secret of Salt