11:30am | Local poet, author, playwright, publishing magnate, and scenester Derrick Brown is moving to Austin in May, and will leave a great gaping hole in the cultural landscape that is Long Beach. Before you rend your garments and cover your mirrors, however, join him for a last hurrah this evening from 7:30 to 9:30 at the First Congregational Church, located at 241 Cedar in Downtown Long Beach.
He’ll be reading from Strange Light, which he describes as his “final book of poetry.” The festivities will also include snacks, a mini-screening of ‘You Belong Everywhere,’ which documents his tour with the Cold War Kids, new work from poetess Mindy Nettifee, and music from Two Guns.
I managed to catch up with Derrick, and asked him what ‘final book of poetry’ means.
“I’m not giving up on poetry,” he said. “I am going to finish these five plays, promote those and a saucy tour memoir. I will always submit to journals, and still put out the best poetry books on Write Bloody.”
He clarified that he will be on hiatus “for a decade. I am the kind of guy that has to focus on only two or three things to pull them off and make them jam.”
Of the shift to Austin, he said, “I am moving for a lower cost of living, and a chance to help my pop in Texas. The dream is to save money and buy a cottage in Long Beach.
“I don’t know how anyone can afford any of these half a million dollar homes,” Derrick mused. “I always walk past them and say, ‘How did they do that? Drug sales? Sexy realty? Fake consulting?'”
As was reported not more than a few weeks ago, Derrick, supported by a team of culturalists, resurrected the much celebrated Lightbulb Mouth Radio Hour. I asked him how it will fare in his absence.
“I will be here until May, and we have rallied an amazing team to keep it going. The show isn’t about me. Just like the Tonight Show, it’s about the talent that surrounds us, the brilliant literary talent that is all over this City, waiting for some light.”
I asked him if he’d spent much time in Austin.
“My dad is a Texan, so yes. And their literary scene is small but powerful. But I don’t know the city well, and am excited for the adventure of moving in a month when chest hair is your enemy.”
I asked Derrick why he chose a church for his Going Away Party.
“Because big old churches are scary,” he said. “Big old churches with plenty of booze, poetry, appetizers, and free cover are not scary. And Tom Nettifee had the genius idea of bringing sweet art to his unique gay-friendly, booze-friendly, art-friendly, people- friendly church. Who doesn’t want to party with it? Two Guns is gonna rule it too, as well as Mindy Nettifee and a mini documentary of my tour with the Cold War Kids.”
So, if you’re a fan of Derrick’s, or the Lightbulb Mouth Radio Hour, or poetry, film, music, or free snacks then most certainly head over to First Congregational Church tonight at 7:30 and join in the festivities.