this is kim calder » Event

reading at Metropolis Books, 9/11 (Artwalk!)

kim — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:53:18 +0000

Here’s the deal with my reading at the Artwalk next Thursday:

“Metropolis Books is a great little bookstore in Downtown, sort of an anchor of literary goodness in this crazy beautiful part of the city. It is owned and operated by a really cool lady named Julie Swayze.

Please join us and hear Kim’s unforgettable poetry, buy a book or two if you haven’t already done so,
and have a good time with us.

For those of you who haven’t done the Downtown Art Walk before, it’s a real treat.
People are all over the streets, hopping from one packed gallery to the next, and you’re like us,
sipping free cheap wine at most of the galleries!! It’s a bucketload of fun.

So once again:

Thursday, 9/11
7 PM

Kim Calder
@
Metropolis Books
The Downtown Source for Books
440 S. Main St. L.A. 90013
Phone-213-612-0174
www.MetropolisBooksLA.com
www.Downtownbookblog.blogspot.com

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Chiwan & Judeth
writlargepress.com“

ghost of readings past

kim — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 17:47:36 +0000

I’m back from New York, and getting geared up to read next Thursday night at Metropolis Books during the Artwalk in Downtown LA. I’ve posted some pictures from the reading I did at goodbye blue monday in Brooklyn, which was a great experience. Check out the gallery section of the site if you’d like to see them. I read a few short pieces from the book, and then read the 25 or so pages I have of prison-house (for the first time). Generally, I’ve only read very short sections, so it was somewhat dizzying to read the whole thing. I find it daunting, too, to read works-in-progress, but having some friends there to help me along was useful. As I read prison-house, I was accompanied by 4 musicians: a drummer, violinist, guitarist, and a pianist. We had no real plan and the whole thing was improvised, a form that seemed to match perfectly, for me, with the notion of presenting a work-in-progress publicly. I feel even closer to the piece after performing it in this setting, and I learned a lot about what I’d like to accomplish with it. It was a major challenge, acoustically and energetically, to read with and over the music, and the reading had a very different feel from other readings I’ve done. We were well received, and GBM was packed for the duration, with both old friends and strangers. If you live in Brooklyn, or are planning on visiting soon, I highly recommend paying goodbye blue monday a visit. It’s located in Bushwick and is a great place to check out some free music/performance, have a drink, and buy weird stuff (everything in the place is for sale).

I’m planning on staging a similar reading of prison-house once it’s further along, and will keep all you LA people posted when I figure the timing of that out. I’ve been traveling a lot lately, and it’s good to be home, where I’ll actually be staying put for a while. Hope to see some of you at the Artwalk–I’ll post the info here, of course.

back from the dead

kim — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:36:05 +0000

Hi all,

Sorry it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me! It’s been a crazy, busy month–lots of visitors in town, lots of going out of town…so no blogging. But, I’m back, and want to tell you about some exciting events coming up and some other new news.

I’ll be in NYC with my man from August 27th-September 2nd, and while I’m there, I’ll be doing a very special reading on the 31st at goodbye blue monday in Brooklyn. It’s the first time I’ll be reading a large section of my work in progress, prison-house, and I’ll also be collaborating with a talented friend of mine.

Stefanos Tsigrimanis (AKA animal nudity) will be accompanying me as I read prison-house (think noisy, noisy goodness). He’s one of my favorite people and a great musician. Here’s his info:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=50786080&MyToken=5a937580-ccd6-4554-a853-dabe8e4f243f

And here’s the info for goodbye blue monday:

http://www.myspace.com/goodbyebluemondayinc

As you can see on their calendar, we go on at 9 pm. I’ll also read from the book, and animal nudity will kick out some jams. I’m excited, and hope to see some old friends there!!!

In other news, I’ve started up a page at www.goodreads.com, a great site my friend recommended to me. This neat site allows you to keep track of what you’ve read, what you’re reading, and what you’re planning on reading. I’ll be writing book reviews, and it’s a great way to connect with your friends on the reading tip. If you’re interested, you’ll find me here:

http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1441658

Right now, I’m working on Adorno’s Negative Dialectics with my very brilliant friend Greg. We meet every Sunday and discuss a section of the book we’ve read. It’s difficult material, and slow going, but really exciting stuff (and really relevant to prison-house). I’m also beginning to put together applications for Creative Writing MFA programs across the country, and am hoping, next year, to get paid to write for a few years. I’ll keep you all posted on how it goes!

Well, see you East Coast folks soon!

reading/signing at Village Books

kim — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:30:13 +0000

I’m having a book signing/reading at Village Books in the Palisades this Thursday, July 10th. It’s the first thing I’ve done on the westside, so hopefully I’ll see some of you who haven’t been able to get out to the other readings there, and everyone in general! Here’s the info:

Kim Calder signs Who’s to Say What’s Home

Village Books

1049 Swarthmore Ave. Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

(310)-454-4063

7:30-8:30

and their website:

http://www.palivillagebooks.com/vb/index.php

get noisy at beyond baroque

kim — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:22:36 +0000

I’m heartbroken I’m going to be out of town this weekend, because of this:

21 June, Saturday – 7:30 PM
BEYOND MUSIC:NIGHT OF THE LONE WOLF A rare night of solo performances from the members Michigan's own WOLF EYES (Sub Pop). Three of the most prolific and active proponents of current underground experimental music, in LA for a day during their Wolf Eyes tour: JOHN OLSON (American Tapes, Handicapper Hornz, Waves, Casket Sinkers, Plants, The Man Who Ate Himself), NATE YOUNG (AA Records, Demons, Beast People, Mongoloid Men), and MIKE CONNELLY (Gods Of Tundra Records, Hair Police, Gate to Gate, The Haunting). Presented by DAMION ROMERO and JOHN WIESE.

It’s at Beyond Baroque, which is a really wonderful space, and they’ve been struggling to stay open as of late. They host a bookstore, free writing workshops, and numerous spoken word/art/music events throughout the year. This is a perfect opportunity to support them, and see some incredible performances. If you’re not familiar with the fellas from Wolf Eyes, check this out:

hot.

For Beyond Baroque’s info/directions go to:

www.beyondbaroque.org

chiwan choi (and this wednesday)

kim — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:22:51 +0000

As y’all know, I’m reading with Chiwan Choi this Wednesday at Good Hurt and had promised to post a sample of his work. Chi’s a genius, and he’s also 1/2 of my publisher, Writ Large Press. Here’s a poem from his website:

Jacob and Israel

it’s how the story was told to me
on the steps of the kitchen,
my little belly hanging out over the waist
of the beige shorts mom made me,
with seams stitched in
so i’d know which side was the front,
the comic book in my hands,
unable to admit to her
that i was making up the words
after overhearing her tell her sister
who lived next door with her unbearable husband
that i could already read at not quite 4,
sitting there on the steps that my father built
just like he built the rest of the house
once over the business of having me,
sitting on those steps that went down into the kitchen,
as she stuck her hands
into cabbage and pepper flakes
and drew me the picture of that cliff,
that mountainside of rocks,
with her words
and i pretended not to care
and held the book i couldn’t read to my face
and pretended i didn’t hear the story
of jacob,
of israel,
hanging there on the rocks,
his hands on the cloth of the angel’s robe,
whose wings were no match
for a young man’s desperation.

Chi’s one of the best poets writing today–so I highly recommend you make it out for this one. I know it’s the westside, but it’s worth it, I promise.

Here’s the info, one more time:
Wednesday, May 21st
8 pm (Chi and I will be reading between 8:45-9:45)
Good Hurt Bar
12249 Venice Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066

and, be sure to check out Chi’s website, www.chiwanchoi.com, and Writ Large Press’ website, www.writlargepress.com.

Reading w/Sarah Heston and Gabriela Jauregui 6/7

kim — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:00:15 +0000

That’s right, folks, ANOTHER reading! I’ll be reading with Sarah and Gaby, who are both absolutely amazing. Here’s the deal:

Sarah Heston’s Art Jam Out

June 7th, 7 p.m.
in basement of 810 e 3rd st, # 45
(enter at the big iron gate at 801 e Traction across the street from Blooms Store at Hewitt and Traction)

Hey friends, so I’m heading to Finland in June and then I’m off to Missouri to get my Ph.D. from the Univ. of Missouri, where I’ve been named the (duh duh) Distinguished Fellow of Creative Non-Fiction, for my memoir, which some of you are mentioned in. And I’ve only been back in LA for mere months…so, I will read a bit from the memoir, sing, dance, and humiliate myself, all for you. In addition, there will be other readers and performers, art on display, and drinks and food in this incredible downtown studio of Dave’s and Frank’s (the dads).

Sarah Heston reads from the memoir
Kim Calder and Gabriela Jauregui read from their *new and awesome* books of poetry
David Hollen’s fabulous and slightly dangerous sculptures will be on display, so be careful and bid high!
and I think many others, like beautiful Swedish jazz musicians? erudite accomplished Armenians? unicorns? my grandparents??
Google names for books and art. Forward email to mutual friends.

But most importantly, this is my way to party with you before I take off, once again, but this time with university backing for a book that is saving my life. Please come dance with me, bring alcohol if you can, and check out the work of my friends and my own, because we’re all doing what makes life great. And you are great. I’ve seen your bands a million times, now you can come see what I do.

Please RSVP by letting me know you’d like to come, and I’ll advise Sarah so she can make enough food, etc. I can’t say enough about Sarah’s writing–and she’s also just one of my favorite people out there. Gaby’s going to be incredible, as well, and it should be one hell of a party. So come on out!!

I advise you check out Ms. Heston’s writing, ASAP, at:

http://sarahheston.blogspot.com/

and, this is what none other than Marjorie Perloff said about Gaby’s book:

Remarkable. . . . Gabriela Jauregui displays perfect pitch: Her lyrics are impressive in their scope, range, empathy-and especially their authentic passion.-Marjorie Perloff , author of 21st-Century Modernism

Reading at Good Hurt 5/21

kim — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:32:47 +0000

So, I’ve got the details for my next reading all nailed down. Chiwan Choi (1/2 of Writ Large Press) and I will be reading at the Good Hurt bar in Culver City, along with some other poets, on Wednesday, May 21st. The reading begins at 8 p.m. I’m really excited–Chiwan is one of my favorite poets writing today, and it’s an honor to read with him. I’ll post a piece of his so you can all see what a treat you’re in for!

The other wonderful thing about this reading is that Good Hurt is a concept bar, the concept being that the bar is staffed by hot nurses. What an excellent idea, no?

You can see the hot nurses, along with other venue information at http://www.goodhurt.net. Hope to see you all there:

Kim Calder and Chiwan Choi

(plus others)

Wednesday, May 21st, 8 pm

at Good Hurt Bar

12249 Venice Blvd., West Los Angeles, CA 90066

(310)-390-1076

THE RELEASE PARTY!!!!

kim — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:35:49 +0000

In case you can’t tell by the ALLCAPS, I’m really excited about the release party for who’s to say what’s home/launch party for my publisher, Writ Large Press!

It’s taking place on Friday, May 2nd, at La Cita bar in downtown LA, from 7-10 p.m. We really couldn’t ask for a better venue. It’s a great bar, and we’ll get to hang out on the patio, where’s there’s an outdoor bar. Did I mention it’s at a bar?

I feel like it’s my wedding day or something. I’m already freaking out about the music, and what I’m going to wear. So, basically, if you don’t attend, you will have ruined my wedding day, and I’ll never forget you didn’t bother to show up. Years later, when you see me on the street and try to shake my hand, I’ll turn away in disdain, shaming you forever.

I’m kidding, of course.
(Am I?)

Writ Large got these really nice postcards printed up for the event. I’m going to figure out how to use the scanner at work, and scan it in so you can see the postcard even if I don’t see you in person. Check back in a bit for it!

It’s gonna be a blast. I’ll read some stuff, and Chiwan and Judy (Writ Large Press) will tell us about their publishing company. There may be some surprise guest performers, even. There’ll be music, and drinking, and social banter, etc. So come!

UPCOMING READING – Sunday 3/30

kim — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 06:53:55 +0000

I’ll be reading at this month’s Tongue & Groove in Hollywood! Come out and hear some of the poems that will be appearing in my book and, hopefully, some newer ones too.

Tongue & Groove is a great monthly reading series run by Conrad Romo. He puts together really eclectic and fresh line-ups each month, with all types of writers, all styles. It also happens to be at a beautiful venue, the Hotel Cafe.

So come on out and join me. I’d love to see you all. The full info and line-up below.

********

Sunday 3/30, 6 pm
Tongue & Groove
at
the Hotel Cafe
1623-1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA (Cahuenga and Hollywood, pretty much)

Featuring:
Kim Calder (who’s to say what’s home), Joshuah Bearman (McSweeney’s, Harper’s, This American Life), Gary Phillips (Citizen Kang), Dana Johnson (Break Any Woman Down)
music by Izzy Cox