VENICE, Calif., Oct. 4, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — A historic lineup of L.A.\u2019s leading artists, performers, poets and authors will salute Beyond Baroque, the city\u2019s legendary literary center, at its 50th anniversary \u201cBohemian Bacchanal\u201d on Saturday, November 10. The gala event, located in the Venice Arts Plaza, features a dinner and will be highlighted by presentations honoring actor\/poet Viggo Mortensen, a long-time supporter of the non-profit organization, and award-winning poet Will Alexander. The evening also pays tribute to Beyond Baroque founder, George Drury Smith.<\/p>\n
![\"Beyond](\"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/images\/18-1004-beyond-baroque-696x522.jpg\" "\\"Beyond")
\nAmong the performers slated to take the stage are John Doe and Exene Cervenka (who first met at Beyond Baroque and formed the iconic LA band X); John Densmore, founding member of The Doors; legendary jazz trumpeter Bobby Bradford; Chris D (Divine Horsemen; Flesh Eaters); Julie Christensen (Divine Horsemen; Leonard Cohen); and poet Kamau Da\u00e1ood, among others.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll celebrate 50 years of Beyond Baroque with an evening of art, music, poetry, wine, and revelry,\u201d said Beyond Baroque director Richard Modiano, \u201cand we invite the community to join us in honoring our dear friend, actor Viggo Mortensen for his selfless support, and our visionary poet-in-residence Will Alexander for his profound achievements in expanding the artistic possibilities of language.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event includes a live and silent auction offering rare literary artifacts from Beyond Baroque\u2019s archive, and more than 30 works of art from some of the world\u2019s most notable artists, including Ed Ruscha, Gronk, Raymond Pettibon, Shepherd Fairey, and Francisco Toledo. Items donated by the Venice business community will also be auctioned.<\/p>\n
Attendees are invited to tour the landmark arts complex surrounding the former Venice City Hall (now occupied by Beyond Baroque) including unique sustainable landscaping curated by Kiss The Ground and Safe Place for Youth, enjoy cocktails in the Poet\u2019s Garden and artwork in the Mike Kelly Gallery, and explore the unique collection of poetry and literature for sale in the bookstore.<\/p>\n
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2018 at 5 P.M.<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond Baroque, Venice Arts Plaza and Gardens, 681 North Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291 http:\/\/www.beyondbaroque.org<\/a><\/p>\n Tickets: <\/strong>https:\/\/beyondbaroque50gala.eventbrite.com<\/a><\/p>\n HONORING:<\/strong><\/p>\n VIGGO MORTENSEN<\/em><\/strong> WILL ALEXANDER<\/em><\/strong> Performers:<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond Baroque Days: A <\/strong>ten-day celebration:<\/strong> Support Beyond Baroque\u2019s next 50 Years: <\/strong> Place an ad or tribute in the Beyond Gala Program Book:<\/strong>
\nAlexandra Garrett Award for Distinguished Service to Beyond Baroque<\/p>\n
\nLifetime Achievement Award in Poetry<\/p>\n\n
\nThe Beyond Gala forms the center of a ten-day period of festivities that begins with the November 8 premiere of Beyond Mr. Smith, <\/em>Peter Fitzgerald Adams\u2019 new documentary about Beyond Baroque founder George Drury Smith. The celebration culminates with the City of Los Angeles\u2019 proclamation of Beyond Baroque\u00a0Day on November 16, 2018, as the literary center welcomes the November 16-18 Southern California Poetry Festival, sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and headlined by world-renowned poet Anne Waldman. More information: http:\/\/www.scpoetryfest.com<\/a><\/p>\n
\nOpportunities to support Beyond Baroque include:<\/p>\n\n
\nhttp:\/\/beyondbaroque.org\/2018gala-ads.html<\/a><\/p>\n