Upcoming San Francisco Kerouac/On the Road Event

San Francisco Public Library

On the Road: The Book, The Movie, and What Comes Next

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, the San Francisco Public Library is hosting a panel presentation in its Koret Auditorium (100 Larkin Street) at 6:00-7:30 PM titled, On the Road: The Book, The Movie, and What Comes Next. Moderated by Kerouac scholar Gerald Nicosia, author of Memory Babe: A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac, the panel includes the following members:

• Peter Coyote - actor, author, activist, founding member of The Diggers, narrator of Jack Kerouac, The Movie (1985)
• Joanna McClure - author of Wolf Eyes and poet who was at the famous Six Gallery reading in 1955
• Dennis McNally - author of Desolate Angel: Jack Kerouac, The Beat Generation, And America and the  Grateful Dead's historian/publicist
• Brad Parker - Lowell native and author of Kerouac: An Introduction
• Rick Dale - author of The Beat Handbook: 100 Days of Kerouactions and yours truly

Does that sound bomber or what? As you can imagine from the title, panelists will be discussing the importance of Kerouac's book, On the Road, its cultural impact, and what effect the release of the movie version will have on both. As you can further imagine, I am not a little bit freaked out by the opportunity. For confidence, I will continue to harken back to what Gerry said about my book (he picked up a copy from Jack's grave in Lowell during Lowell Celebrates Kerouac in October 2011):

“It’s a lovely book, rich in Jack’s spirit, and full of his beating heart." 

~Gerald Nicosia about The Beat Handbook

Praise like that from a such a noteworthy Kerouac scholar gives me confidence that I might have something to say.

So, if you're not doing anything January 10, come to San Francisco for a happening Kerouacian event!