Tomorrow evening The Venice Arts Council will host a benefit for the Venice Beach Poet’s Monument restoration project starting at 7pm. Tickets are $20 at 7, but there is a pre-show “Meet and Greet the Artists” reception starting at 6pm which is $100. RSVP by calling (310) 570-5419!
The benefit will feature music and poetry from Exene Cervenka, Michelle Shocked, Peter Case, Linda Albertano, Wanda Coleman, Ellyn Maybe Band, Frank Rios, Philomene Long’s poetry read by Pegarty Long, Francisco Letelier, Mike Bonin, Sherman Pearl, Rick Noguchi and Bob Flanagan’s poetry read by Sheree Rose Levin.
During the event a silent auction will be held with items or services from James Beach, Canal Club, Danny’s, Piccolo, Linus Bike, Amoeba Music, Erwin Hotel, Altered Space Gallery, Quiksilver brands, Shout!Factory, “The Doors” script autographed by Oliver Stone, Whole Foods Market and the artists and poets. Boardriders will donate 30% of proceeds on merchandise purchased the night of the event (some restrictions apply).
Venice Beach Poetry Monument Benefit at 585 Boardriders
585 N. Venice Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
From the Venice Arts Council:
The Venice Beach Poet’s Monument (formerly known as the Venice Beach Poetry Walls) was curated in 2000 when the City of Los Angeles renovated the Ocean Front Walk at Venice Beach. The Walls were curated by Fred Dewey, former Executive Director of Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center located in Venice, with support from Mike Bonin, current Chief of Staff to LA City Councilman 11th District (Venice), Bill Rosendahl. The words of Jim Morrison of the Doors, Exene Cervenka of the Punk Rock band X, actor Viggo Mortensen, and others are engraved in the concrete walls of the LAPD substation and three public restrooms exterior shower walls.
A list of the poet’s featured on the Venice Beach Poet’s Monument can be seen by clicking here.
The restoration project includes cleaning the walls, re-etching some of the lettering, applying a protective anti-graffiti coating and maintenance program. Photos of the monument which includes the main wall located on Venice Beach’s Recreation and Parks and LAPD substation building and three public restroom exterior shower walls can be seen by clicking here.
The total cost to restore the main wall and restroom walls is approximately $40,000. We have received $10,000 from Councilman Rosendahl and a grant of $1,500 from the Abbot Kinney Festival Association towards the restoration project.
The Social Public Art Resource Center, (SPARC) located in Venice, will begin restoration of the main wall at a cost of approximately $7,000. Therefore, an additional $28,500 needs to be raised for the restoration of three public restroom exterior walls to complete the entire restoration project. Contributions are payable to VCHC/VAC note in memo section: EAF – poetry walls May 31. All contributions of $5,000 or more will be acknowledged on the monument. For more information visit veniceartscouncil.org or call 310-570-5419.
