Kearns & Catalano, Words & Music, December 29 , Poetry Thursdays

Coming soon, creative duo working in two volatile dimensions, poetry and music-- not easily tamed-- at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore’s Poetry Thursdays. On December 29, Rick Kearns and John Catalano will bring their own compelling magic, and the spirit of Lorca, and Tolstoy too!

Music and poetry, one night only--Rick Kearns will recite some of his flamenco poetry, and more, while accompanied by the talented John Catalano on guitar.

Both men have been jamming together in the storied “flamenco kitchen” and in various group situations for over 10 years. John Vincent Catalano (c. 1955) is an American musician, teacher and performer whose areas of interest include prepared and improvised music, flamenco, folk, blues, experimental classical and Gypsy jazz. Catalano is widely sought for performances, workshops and private music instruction.

Rick Kearns is the current Poet Laureate of Harrisburg and Northern Bressler. For many years he edited the poetry journal Blue Guitar. His work now appears regularly in numerous reviews and anthologies. He’s done four verse collections (another: imminent), and has been sowing poetic mayhem along the Eastern seaboard for 30 years. For this performance, these artists have been working rigorously to complete a bold lyric adaptation of the Soviet march song Polyushka Polye into “regimentally exacting” couplets in time to mark their second major collaboration on a free-form literary/music plane.

It’s all goes down December 29. 7-9pm. This special event is part of Poetry Thursdays, since 1999, a continuing poetry series, now held weekly at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore. 1302 N. Third Street. For more information, (717) 236-1680. Hosted by the Almost Uptown Poetry Cartel.