Lighted looms hung on the walls in dimly lit Viracocha, and the large crowd chatted while settling themselves into the wooden chairs scattered about the room, ready to hear the featured readers of Clattering Loom. This reading series chooses a word that is not directly translatable to English, and each reader must compose a piece attempting to capture the essence of its meaning. The theme of this reading was “nunchi”, a Korean word that can be understood as emotional intelligence, or the ability to respond artfully to the moods of others. Curators Jonathan Hirsch and Valerie Chavez took the stage, and introduced the show’s theme and the first reader. Read the rest of this entry »

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other than what we have come to expect a crowd in the bar goes ooh when they hear what the reading thing is colon a seasonal series that asks writers to interpret a phrase not easily translated into english ooh right comma so on with the readings then: Read the rest of this entry »

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(Nicole McFeely)

Featured Event: Saturday June 18th

Ah, Saturday. As a day, we all know it’s usually one of the best. However, this Saturday is looking especially noteworthy thanks to two events. The first, Sixty New Beginnings, is a reading/auction/raffle/party with all proceeds benefitting one of the Bay Area’s most inspiring artists in her battle against cancer. Even if you can’t afford to contribute or bid on one of the ridiculously awesome raffle prizes, please come and show your support along with James Cagney, DW Lichtenberg, Randall Mann, Sarah Fran Wisby, Rebekah Edwards, and Daphne Gottlieb, who will each be reading in Meg’s honor.

The second event, Clattering Loom, celebrates the ever-anticipated arrival of summer by asking writers and artists Matthew James Decoster, Charles Kruger, Amanda Rino, Julie Michelle, Joanna Lioce, and Tony DuShane to craft a work inspired by the Thai phrase Sabsung. Knowing those artists, the phrase, which loosely translates as that which “slakes the thirst of emotion,” promises to inspire some equally unique responses. If you don’t know what I mean, you’ll just have to show up. If you do, you definitely didn’t need me to remind you to go! Read about the last (and first) one. Read the rest of this entry »

Sun Feb 20, 11 Viracocha

(Nicole McFeely)

On Sunday February 20th, I joined Jonathan Hirsch and an audience of about 40 at Viracocha to enjoy the first installment of his inspired seasonal reading series The Clattering Loom. I had met Hirsch, who is also founder of the groundbreaking Tenderloin Reading Series, by chance the night before as I was leaving Writers with Drinks and was struck by his enthusiasm for the project; it was infectious. He seemed an incredibly voracious soul, capable of finding inspiration in details most people dismiss or ignore. He told me a bit about his inspiration for the series, which came from this anonymous Japanese love poem translated by Kenneth Rexroth: Read the rest of this entry »