Co-founded by The Poetry Society of New York members Stephanie Berger and Nicholas Adamski in , the Poetry Brothel was inspired by turn-of-the-century bordellos and cabaret shows where writers, avant-garde artists, hoodlums, musicians and men and women of the night would gather for creativity and mischief.
In this modern day version, the front of the house entertainment comes from jazz musicians, burlesque dancers, magicians, palm readers and public poetry readings. As the on-stage action happens, male and female poets dressed in turn-of-the-century threads roam the crowd looking for clients. Each poet invents an alter-ego with names like Penelope Strangelight, Mavi Jewel and Cal the Alchemist, and in exchange for pre-purchased coins they take customers to a private room for a one-on-one reading session.
The Poetry Brothel mixes unapologetic sex appeal with poems that range from well-known works to political and contemporary pieces. And, of course, erotic poems. The intimate setting with one-on-one reading is also how the art form was meant to shared, she added.
At the L. A reading, people will meet poets like L. This meant he took his typewriter to events all over L. A where he wrote and sold personalized poems to people. By Richard Guzman riguzman scng. More in Uncategorized.
