LIVE! From City Lights

City Lights in conjunction with the Middle Eastern Children’s Alliance and The Markaz Review present Mosab Abu Toha in conversation with Mary Karr, celebrating the publication of "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza," published by City Lights Books. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and hosted by Peter Maravelis. You can purchase copies of "Things You May Find in My Ear" directly from City Lights at a 30% discount here: https://citylights.com/general-poetry/things-you-may-find-hidden-in-my-ear/ Mosab Abu Toha is a Palestinian poet, scholar, and librarian who was born in Gaza and has spent his life there. A graduate in English language teaching and literature, he taught English at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools in Gaza from 2016 until 2019, and is the founder of the Edward Said Library, Gaza’s first English-language library. In 2019-2020, Abu Toha was a Visiting Poet in the Department of Comparative Literature at Harvard University; a Visiting Librarian at Harvard’s Houghton Library; and a Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative Fellow in the Harvard Divinity School. In 2020, Abu Toha gave talks and readings at the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, and the University of Arizona. He also spoke at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting held in Philadelphia in January 2020. In October 2021, University of Notre Dame’s Literatures, Annihilation, Exile, and Resistance lecture series hosted Abu Toha to speak about his poetry and work in Gaza. Abu Toha is a columnist for Arrowsmith Press, and his writings from Gaza have appeared in The Nation, Arrowsmith Press, and Literary Hub. His poems have been published on the Poetry Foundation’s website, in Poetry Magazine, Banipal, Solstice, The Markaz Review, The New Arab, Peripheries, and other journals. Mary Karr is an award-winning poet and best-selling memoirist. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling memoirs "The Liars’ Club," "Cherry," and "Lit," as well as "The Art of Memoir," and five poetry collections, most recently "Tropic of Squalor." Karr is also a songwriter, having collaborated with Rodney Crowell, Norah Jones, Lucinda Williams and others on a country album called KIN. The Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) works to protect the rights and improve the lives of children in the Middle East through aid, empowerment and education. In the Middle East, MECA provides humanitarian aid, partners with community organizations to run projects for children, and supports income-generation projects. In the US and internationally, MECA raises awareness about the lives of children in the region and encourages meaningful action. Since 1988, MECA has delivered $29 million in aid to Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon. The Markaz Review is a literary arts publication and cultural institution that curates content and programs on the greater Middle East and our communities in diaspora. The Markaz signifies “the center” in Arabic, as well as Persian, Turkish, Hebrew and Urdu. Visit https://themarkaz.org/ This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation

D. S. Marriott in conversation with Frank B. Wilderson III, celebrating the publication of D. S. Marriott’s "Before Whiteness: City Lights Spotlight No. 21," published by City Lights Books. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and was hosted by Peter Maravelis with an opening statement by Garrett Caples. You can purchase "Before Whiteness: City Lights Spotlight No. 21" directly from City Lights at a 30% discount here: https://citylights.com/general-poetry/before-whiteness/ Poet and scholar D.S. Marriott was born in Nottingham and educated at the University of Sussex, UK. He is the author of the poetry collections "Incognegro"(Salt, 2006), "Hoodoo Voodoo" (Shearsman, 2008), "The Bloods" (Shearsman, 2011), and "Duppies" (Commune Editions, 2019). His chapbooks include "In Neuter" (Equipage, 2012) and "Lative" (Equipage, 1992). His work is sometimes associated with the Cambridge school of poetry. In his critical and creative work, Marriott, of Jamaican heritage, draws on postcolonial thought and thinkers such as Frantz Fanon and is a leading theorist of Afro-pessimism. His critical books include "On Black Men" (Edinburgh University Press and Columbia University Press, 2000), "Haunted Life" (Rutgers University Press, 2007), and "Whither Fanon? Studies in the Blackness of Being" (Stanford University Press, 2018). He has taught at many universities and is currently based in Oakland, CA. Frank B. Wilderson III is a writer, dramatist, filmmaker and critic. He is a full professor of drama and African American studies at the University of California, Irvine. He is the author of "Red, White & Black: Cinema and the Structure of US Antagonisms" (Duke University Press, 2010), "Incognegro: A Memoir of Exile & Apartheid" (South End Press, 2008), "Gramsci’s black marx: Whither the slave in civil society?" (Social Identities 9.2 , 2003) and "Afropessimism" (Liveright, 2020). He has received numerous honors for his work including The Eisner Prize for Creative Achievement of the Highest Order, The Maya Angelou Award for Best Fiction Portraying the Black Experience in America, an American book Award, amongst others. Wilderson has been described as one of the first writers in the tradition of Afro-pessimism. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation

An appreciation of Jack Kerouac’s unique contribution to American literature with talks by Ann Charters, Jean-Christophe Cloutier, Ann Douglas, Tim Hunt, Joyce Johnson, Hassan Melehy, and Regina Weinreich, with readings by Tony Torn, and a birthday greeting by David Amram. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and hosted by Peter Maravelis. On Thursday, March 10, 2022, City Lights, at the birthplace of the San Francisco Renaissance and the Beat movement, celebrated Jack Kerouac’s centenary, with an illuminating exploration of his writing. Moving beyond the hype and fetishization of his personality, some of the country's leading Kerouac scholars take a deep dive into his work. Learn about books you haven’t yet read, his innovations in prose, the influence of his Franco-American background and how he discovered his unique voice. City Light features one of the largest selection of Jack Kerouac books in the world. Check out our stock at this link: https://citylights.com/author/jack-kerouac/ This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

Daniel Shank Cruz in conversation with Samuel R. Delany, celebrating the U.S. launch of the publication of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1985," edited by Andrew Nette & Iain McIntyre, published by PM Press. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and hosted by Peter Maravelis. This session was part of a weekend-long symposium exploring the radical currents of Science Fiction. It was presented by City Lights in conjunction with PM Press. You can purchase copies of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1985" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/sci-fi-fantasy/dangerous-visions-new-worlds-radical/ Born into a distinguished Harlem family, Samuel R. Delany was a success at nineteen, changing the tone, the content, and the very shape of modern science fiction with his acclaimed novels and stories that bridged the apparent gap between science and fantasy to explore gay sexuality, racial and class consciousness, and the limits of imagination and memory. His vast body of work includes memoir, comics, space adventure, mainstream novels, homosexual erotica, and literary criticism of a high order. He has received numerous honors for his work including numerous Nebula and Hugo Awards, the J. Lloyd Eaton Lifetime Achievement Award in Science Fiction, the Kessler Award, and the Anisfield-Wolf Lifetime Achievement Award amongst others. His fiction includes Babel-17, The Einstein Intersection (winners of the Nebula Award for 1966 and 1967 respectively), Nova, Dhalgren, the Return to Nevèrÿon series, and Through the Valley of the Nest of Spiders. Until his recent retirement he was a professor of English and creative writing at Temple University. Daniel Shank Cruz is an author and educator. Cruz is the author of "Queering Mennonite Literature: Archives, Activism, and the Search for Community" (Penn State University Press, 2019. Their research has merged queer theory with Mennonite studies producing illuminating and original work that explores the intersection of critical theory with gender studies and religion. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

Mike Stax in conversation with Michael Moorcock, celebrating the US launch of the publication of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1985," edited by Andrew Nette & Iain McIntyre, published by PM Press. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and hosted by Peter Maravelis. This session was part of a weekend-long symposium exploring the radical currents of Science Fiction, presented by City Lights in conjunction with PM Press. You can purchase copies of "Dangerous Visions and New Worlds: Radical Science Fiction, 1950 to 1985" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/sci-fi-fantasy/dangerous-visions-new-worlds-radical/ Michael Moorcock is a writer, best-known for his work in science fiction and fantasy. He is considered one of the leading voices of the genre. He has also published a number of well-received literary novels as well as comic thrillers, graphic novels and non-fiction. He has worked as an editor and is also a successful musician. He is best known for his novels about the character Elric of Melniboné, a seminal influence on the field of fantasy since the 1960s and '70s. As editor of the British science fiction magazine New Worlds, from May 1964 until March 1971 and then again from 1976 to 1996, Moorcock fostered the development of the science fiction "New Wave" in the UK and indirectly in the United States, leading to the advent of cyberpunk. His publication of "Bug Jack Barron" (1969) by Norman Spinrad as a serial novel was notorious; in British Parliament, some British MPs condemned the Arts Council for funding the magazine. Mr. Moorcock is also a recording musician, contributing to the bands Hawkwind, Blue Öyster Cult, Robert Calvert, Spirits Burning, and his own project, Michael Moorcock & The Deep Fix. In 2008, The Times named Mr. Moorcock in its list of "The 50 greatest British Writers". Mike Stax is a writer, editor, publisher, record producer, and musician. He is the founder and editor of Ugly Things Magazine, and frontman of the musical group The Loons. His work with Ugly Things has been instrumental in the preservation of late 20th century garage, psychedelic, punk, and alternative rock music history. He is currently working as co-writer (with Rick Brown) on a feature film about the seminal 60's psychedelic rock group The Misunderstood. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

Daniel Levin Becker in conversation with Ian S. Port, celebrating the release of his new book "What’s Good: Notes on Rap and Language," published by City Lights Books. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom and hosted by Peter Maravelis. You can purchase "What’s Good: Notes on Rap and Language" directly from City Lights at a 30% discount here: https://citylights.com/city-lights-published/whats-good-notes-on-rap-language/ An early contributor to the groundbreaking lyrics site Rap Genius (now known as Genius), Daniel Levin Becker is an American critic, translator, and editor, and the youngest member of the Oulipo literary collective. He is the author of "Many Subtle Channels: In Praise of Potential Literature" (Harvard UP, 2012) and the translator of, among others, Georges Perec’s "La Boutique Obscure" (Melville House, 2013) and Eduardo Berti’s "An Ideal Presence" (Fern Books, 2021), and co-translator of Frédéric Forte’s "Minute-Operas" (Burning Deck, 2015) and "All That Is Evident Is Suspect: Readings from the Oulipo 1963–2018" (McSweeney’s, 2018). He is a contributing editor to The Believer, senior editor at McSweeney’s Publishing, and English editor for the French nonfiction publisher Odile Jacob. He lives in Paris. Ian S. Port is the author of "The Birth of Loud" (Scribner, 2019), an acclaimed portrait of electric guitar innovators Leo Fender and Les Paul and their impact on music. Ian’s writing has also appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Village Voice, and many other outlets. A Bay Area native and former music editor of SF Weekly, Ian spent seven years in New York City, and is trying to decide where to live next. Songs included in this event: "Exhibit C (Instrumental)" by Jay Electronica; Decon Records, 2009; produced by Just Blaze "We Major" by Kanye West; Roc-a-Fella Records, 2005; produced by Kanye Wet, Baby Dubb, and Jon Brion "Stay Schemin (Album Version [Explicit])" by Rick Ross; Maybach Music Group, 2012; produced by the Beat Bully This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Comparative and Theoretical Studies" is the third and final session of the day-long symposium in three sessions exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world’s leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. This final session explores how the work of Stanislav Grof has been applied and looking toward future paradigms of therapeutic practice. A panel discussion with Tom Riedlinger, Tom Roberts, Diane Haug, Jasmine Virdi and John Buchanan. Moderated by Maria Mangini, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press. You can purchase copies of "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/cognitive-science/psyche-unbound-tribute-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Psychotherapy and Consciousness" is the second session of the day-long symposium in three sessions, exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world’s leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. This session is an overview of the research and main ideas of Stanislav Grof with guests Michael Mithoefer, Roshi Joan Halifax, Charles Grob, Paul Grof and Jenny Wade. Moderated by Janis Phelps, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press. You can purchase copies of "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/cognitive-science/psyche-unbound-tribute-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Early Witnesses and Allies" is the first session of the day-long symposium in three sessions, exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world’s leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. A storytelling event and tribute with Stanislav and Brigitte Grof joined by Rick Tarnas, Sean Kelly, Rick Doblin, Susan Hess Logeals (Producer of the film "Way of the Psychonaut"), Will Keepin, and Diane Haug. Moderated by David Presti, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press. You can purchase copies of "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" directly from City Lights here: https://citylights.com/cognitive-science/psyche-unbound-tribute-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: https://citylights.com/foundation/

This is the second part of the celebration of the life and work of Diane di Prima: a panel discussion celebrating the City Lights publication of "Spring and Autumn Annals" by Diane di Prima with appearances by Sheppard Powell, Ammiel Alcalay, Amber Tamblyn, and Ana Božičević. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom, hosted by Peter Maravelis and moderated by Sara Larsen. This event was sponsored by the City Lights Foundation and Lost & Found: The CUNY Poetics Document Initiative. You can purchase "Spring and Autumn Annals” directly from City Lights at a 30% discount here: https://citylights.com/beat-literature-poetry-history/spring-autumn-annals/ City Lights events calendar: https://citylights.com/events/