Friend’s Page Update 3-27-07

This month we would like to tell you about The Beat Museum. This wonderful showcase, book store, gallery, museum of memorabilia and all around font of history and lore of the beat generation poets, artists and intellectuals really started years ago in Monterey, Ca., the dream child of Jerry Cimino and his wife, Estelle. They already had a successful internet bookstore, kerouac.com. Carolyn and John and Jami visited there often and Jerry and Estelle put on readings, (some show casing Carolyn) and many other events to promote the books of authors and painters and performers who made that era of history so important.

The Cassady family has followed and supported this important venue ever since, and are so pleased to announce their new location at 540 Broadway at Columbus, North Beach, San Francisco, after having been housed at 2 previous locations (at the "Live Worms Gallery" on Grant Street and for a short time at Ghiradelli Square.) It’s great to have them back in North Beach and across from City Lights Bookstore!

Jerry and John Cassady also traveled around the U.S.A. in the "Beat Mobile" an old Airstream (beautifully decorated!) with a trailer towed behind with all the Beat Museum books, posters, buttons, t-shirts, hats, etc.( also a work of art!). They put on multi-media presentations at high schools and colleges to spread the history of the Beats. Jerry and John read parts of books, told wonderful stories and John accompanied the talks on guitar or piano. It was a great show that I wish everyone could see!

Jerry and Estelle now put on weekly poetry readings and poetry contests with the help of a great poetess, Jessica Loos (one of our favorites!). They also honor different painters and sculptors in the gallery. For the last two years they have held the Annual Birthday Bash for Neal Cassady (the first one in 2006 would have been Neal’s 80th, and on February 8th, 2007 they hosted his 81st Birthday Bash, with amazing cakes, lots of wine and fascinating remembrances from many people who had great stories to tell. When Wavy Gravy showed up for Neal’s 80th, he delighted the crowd with many stories of his friendship with Neal.

Last December 29th, Carolyn Cassady gave a sell out performance honoring her good friends, Jay and Fran Landesman. Her introduction was amazing, telling the story of how the Beat Generation REALLY began! She then read a selection from Fran Landesman’s many entertaining poems, while John played guitar as background. Quite a show! Please visit their site at kerouac.com and support this great venue.

We are also excited to announce they have started a book publishing company, The Beat Museum Press. My brother, John, and Jerry have some "chapter books" available now, with full length publications available soon.

We cannot stress enough the importance of buying from an independent book seller. There you can talk to people who are knowledgeable, know who you are inquiring about and also the money supports the community instead of a corporate conglomerate. Your local independent booksellers need your support!

We encourage everyone to hit the road and make a trip to this special place, located where it all began. You won’t be disappointed! Jerry also has a wonderful, knowledgeable staff

Tell them Jami and Randy sent you! (no discounts, just a big smile!). Buy a book, take it to Café Trieste, have a coffee or glass of wine and immerse yourself.
Enjoy!

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