Wednesday, May 21st – 7 pm
Book Event: Mingus Speaks
author/interlocutor John Goodman talks!

Author John Goodman will speak at Bird & Beckett the evening of May 21st on the man, Charles Mingus, and the book, Mingus Speaks: Interviews with Charles Mingus, 1972-1974 (John Goodman, author; Sy Johnson, photographer; University of California Press, 2013). From John Goodman’s website, www.mingusspeaks.com:  What is this thing called Mingus?  Some have heard the name,…

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Monday, May 19th – 7 pm
Sterling Bunnell reads
“Chaucer’s Squire’s Tale Completed”
— open mic follows

Live recording:  Sterling Bunnell will read his long-form poem, “Chaucer’s Squire’s Tale Completed.”  Bunnell retired from a long career in psychiatry some time ago, during which he was particularly known for his 1960s exploration of the use of hallucinogenic drugs in treatment regimens; he’s credited with introducing the first living strain of Salvia divinorum, Diviner’s Sage,…

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Sunday, May 18th – 2 pm
A life in beat zen poetry
Latif Harris reads and reminisces

Latif Harris has contributed to the San Francisco/North Beach literary scene since 1959. In addition to his publications of poetry, articles, reviews and various anthologies, Latif has published eleven books of poetry, including Bodhisattva’s Busted Truth. Latif’s skill, energy and devotion to the work is evidenced in the crucial BEATITUDE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 1959-2009, co-edited by Latif with Neeli…

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Sunday, May 11th – 4:30-6:30 pm
Hamir Atwal-Michael Coleman Duo

Jazz to stretch your mind… Hamir Atwal, drums and Michael Coleman, piano. Both players have picked up a lot of playing time on the progressive edge of the Bay Area jazz landscape, as well as handling the straight ahead traditions with skill born of experience and training — at Oberlin for Michael and at Berklee…

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