From the Hungtinton and CSULA
Attention readers, Latinos and L.A. Bohemian wannabes: we're giving a little more notice than usual about a couple of weekend events, even though, in the case of one, there's going to be a herd of folks racing to write about it. Still, whip out the calendars and get ready:
On Saturday, San Marino will become the literary mecca for the abundant numbers across the metropolis and elsewhere who believe that the late Charles Bukowski is nothing less than one of Los Angeles' poetic princes. His self-described 'raw, easy and simple' writing about prostitutes, gamblers, drunks and outcasts has captivated many and, with the assistance of his widow, Linda Lee Bukowski, a major exhibit will showcase his life works, displaying, among other items, his manual typewriter, rare first-editions and copies of his early publications, as well as examples of long gone 'little' magazines that were early and fast out of the gate to publish his poetry and stories.
In San Marino, a paen to a 'Poet on the Edge'
In East L.A., readers of all ages can join in for the annual Latino Book and Family Festival, which this year will spotlight authors Victor Villasenor and Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, with Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries presenting a keynote address. There will be literary workshops, programs for adults and children, entertainment and other activities at the event, co-sponsored by Edward James Olmos, the actor, community activist and school alum. As the 2009 photo at right shows, he's an active event participant, bringing his own family (his mother Eleanor, in this case) to the weekend's festivities.
