Saturday, October 6, 2012

Lowell Celebrates Kerouac is this week!


Attention Jack Kerouac fans: the annual Lowell Celebrates Kerouac festivities begin this week in beautiful Lowell, Massachusetts, Jack's proud hometown. This year it is called the Jack Kerouac Literary Festival, but I'm a little bit like the character in Sling Blade and I still call it Lowell Celebrates Kerouac.

You can see all the events planned for the festival by clicking here. Things actually start Monday October 8 with a walking tour of Jack's boyhood houses and other landmarks. The world premiere of Jack's play, The Beat Generation, is Wednesday at the Merrimack Repertory Theater, and it repeats throughout the festival (get your tickets in advance here). Thursday is jam-packed, with a reading by poet Anne Waldman and later a pub tour that culminates in a music-and-readings event at Cappy's Copper Kettle. Lots more is happening Friday and Saturday and Sunday - too much to pick from and too much to repeat here.

Of course, we will be taking a trip to Edson Cemetery for our annual visit to Jack's grave, and we'll post video, technology gods permitting. Plus, our intention is to post pictures and commentary throughout our visit on Facebook.

If you ever wanted to visit Jack's hometown, this is the week to do it, so get on the road! Lots of Kerouacphiles will be in attendance. I know one fan who's attending with no place to stay. That's commitment. What's your excuse for not attending?


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