Just got back from the Ahadada launch of Jerome Rothenberg’s China Notes & the Treasures of Dunhuang at the Bowery Poetry Club in New York!

This is my second time seeing Rothenberg read from China Notes—it gets better every time!

A full review of the events will come—along with video and pictures, but I just wanted to post my thoughts about the venue, such a great place! Jesse flew in from Tokyo and Katie and I drove down from Toronto. Jesse and I were only able to hang out for the afternoon with Jerry and friends, but squeezed out every second (even while getting lost in Manhattan) to lay out plans for our Ahadada future, etc,!

In the front, there’s a little cafe and eatery. In between, at the top of the stairs leading down to the restroom, there’s a selection of poetry books and chapbooks—I need to return just to get through it all! There’s a full bar (They make a mean gin and tonic.). The performance and seating area is sizeable, well lit, and has excellent acoustics.

Turnout was outstanding for a Sunday afternoon—we even sold books to tourists passing by but not staying for the reading. In my experience Jerry could get a great turnout regardless of time, date or venue.

If you have a chance check out any of the events on schedule at the BPC, do it! It’s a great venue to see something low key. It’s a very unassuming and unitimidating place.

And they had 2 for 1 bottles before 3pm! And that wasn’t even the best part!

Anyway—thanks to Jerry and to Bob Holman for making it a great event—more on it soon. For now must catch up on sleep and work.