The West Coast debut of Allen Ginsberg’s “Kaddish: A Hal Willner Project,” which combines live original music, spoken word and visual art, will be presented at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17 in Royce Hall at UCLA.
In honor of Ginsberg’s influence as a Beat poet, and in honor of Los Angeles as a thriving artistic hub during the Beat era, CAP UCLA has collaborated with the UCLA Library to devise the multi-week, multi-event program titled “I’m a Stranger Here Myself,” which includes a variety of exhibits and events that delve into Los Angeles’ rich history of the Beat movement tied to the presentation of “Kaddish.”
“Kaddish” is music producer Hal Willner’s live staging of Ginsberg’s poem of the same name. The piece is directed by Chloe Webb and features Willner and Webb performing the poem accompanied by a live score written and conducted by jazz guitarist Bill Frisell, along with a visual design that features projected paintings by “Gonzo” artist Ralph Steadman incorporated into a film by Chloe Webb.
An epic lament to Ginsberg’s loss of his mother and a reflection on his own estrangement from Judaism, “Kaddish” is a cornerstone of the Beat Generation and has been the inspiration to many artists, past and present.
“I’m a Stranger Here Myself” features readings, lectures, talks, screenings and exhibits that showcase the rich cultural resources of the university. This immersive program explores the unique history and influence of Beat culture in Los Angeles and adds context and commemoration to the presentation of Ginsberg’s “Kaddish.”
Two free public multimedia exhibits will run on campus from April 11 through June 14.
For “Kaddish” tickets ($20-$50), call (310) 825-2101 or visit cap.ucla.edu.
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