If you want to celebrate Valentine’s Day in an untraditional manner, the Art Theater is the place to be this Saturday. With his new book, Long Beach native and nationally renowned poet Derrick Brown will be hosting a Valentine’s Day dance party and reading to celebrate the release of his newest book, Scandalabra. The release will be held at the Art Theater (Cherry and 4th) in Long Beach, at midnight on February 14th. The show is $6, all ages, and is a benefit for Write Now Poetry Society. According to a recent review at Write Bloody Publishing, Derrick’s long awaited new collection of poetry and prose, Scandalabra, is a book that boils with true grit Americana and sensual power and has already received praise from comedian David Cross, VenusZine and Filter Magazine.
Derrick’s new spoken word CD, Black Urchin, which is scored by Secretly Canadian Records’ Richard Swift, will also be available for the first time. Derek, who has consistently been the opening act for Indie rockers, Cold War Kids and has been booked with The White Stripes. His work has been featured in books with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins, Viggo Mortensen, Jeff Buckley and Jim Carrol.
As one of the most original and well-traveled writer/performers in the country, Brown, who now resides on a boat in marina Del Rey cleverly named the “Sea Section,” has gained a cult following for his poetry performances all over the U.S. and through Europe. But Brown is no stranger to Long Beach, reuniting his old band GlockundSpiel (consisting of mostly Long Beachians) for the party.
“I am so thrilled to play with one of my oldest friends and celebrate not only Derrick’s book release but also ‘St. So Glad I’m Single And Not In A Bummer Relationship Day!’” said Tatiana Simonian, keyboardist and vocalist for GlockundSpiel.
The all ages book release party is being sponsored by {open} bookstore and will feature the video premier of ‘You Belong Everywhere,’ a documentary of Derrick’s European tour with the Cold War Kids.
For more information on Derrick Brown visit brownpoetry.com.
Jenny DuBois is a contributing news reporter and current journalism student at Long Beach City College.