'HAMLET' AT MICHIGAN See Kenneth Branagh's four-hour, 70- mm version of the Shakespeare classic. Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 9j im. ARTS Wednesday May 21, 1997 7 ' y> s, } > " x ' * 3 wig _ , +: i f5' ..xx? ... .. .._ .,,_ 1 ,... , .... . .... __ .., h ', i.. i , : . k n...J..-.fl ^. ' h. . vii ....:'k rl.kY A2 community responds to poet's death By Anitha Chalam Daily Arts Writer Around the time of his high school graduation, Allen Ginsberg is quoted as having said, "Do what you want to, when you want to" Ginsberg is histor- ically notable for his role as a Beat Generation thinker, artist and writer. Such distinction has undoubtedly secured him a place in anthologies for years to come, but it takes a lot more than "textbook success" to generate a response like the one Ann Arbor is giv- ing to Ginsberg's life and death. Karl Pohrt, owner of Shaman Drum bookstore, explained that Ginsberg was a key figure in the arts and letters of the 20th century. "What makes him so interesting is his fusion of politics- and religion, breaking through the conserv- ative Judeo-Christian mindset (which was choking mid-century American culture)." Pohrt said that he was greatly saddened by the death of the writer. "He was a holy fool, and that made him an important figure, both culturally and politically. I don't know who on the national scene can replace that." This concept of being a "holy fool" was related to the Beat aesthetic. Ginsberg and the Beat Generation advocated pacifism, the peace move- ment, the civil rights movement, drug experimentation, sexual experimenta- tion - all the hallmarks of college life, then and now. Consequently, the college reader can relate to Ginsberg, an accomplished writer who knew the masters (Baudelaire, Thoreau and Whitman, among others) and brought out their ideals in a modernist form. Brian Drozdowski, a recent LSA graduate, was shocked and disappoint- ed by the death of the writer. "I read a poem, 'Howl,' aloud to my English class once. The passage I had chosen was graphic and a little obscene, and I think some people were offended, but his genius really came through for me." Lisa Hojnacki, an LSA senior, remarked that she was surprised by Ginsberg's death. Recalling the recent death of Beat Generation thinker and abstract expressionist Willem de Kooning, she remarked, "It's the end of an era, an era of thinkers." Hojnacki remarked that she was fond of Ginsberg especially because he came to town so frequently. "Allen Ginsberg really had a connection here," she said. Among the more liberal college towns in America, and with a large stu- dent body, Ann Arbor remained impor- tant through the end of Ginsberg's life. When the writer converted to Buddhism, he did so under the tutelage of Gelek Rinpoche, founder and direc- tor of the Jewel Heart Buddhist Center located on Ashley Street. A spokesper- son for Jewel Heart remarked that, "Allen was a very good friend to all of us at Jewel Heart, and a remarkable man in many ways. We will miss him very much," Ginsberg was, after all, a college stu- dent in successful writer's clothing, ho advocated that people should do what they want, when they want. He may have passed on, but as they say, "The Beat goes on.? Allen Ginsberg performed at a poetry reading in Lincoln, NE, in March 1995. Ginsberg was also a frequent visitor to Ann Arbor. jewel Heart to host memorial By Sarah Beldo significant in Tibetan Buddhist prac- For the Daily tice as a day to be accompanied with When Allen Ginsberg pledged him- religious rituals and intense prayer. self to the cause of Jewel Heart, a Before the concert, at 7 p.m., there Buddhist preservationist organization, will be brief religious services for it was with more than a passing inter- Ginsberg in both the Tibetan , , est. Ginsberg had gone two years Buddhist and Jewish traditions. without a Buddhist teacher when his Rinpoche will lead a prayer with sev- friend Philip Glass introduced him to eral Tibetan monks from the Gyuto Kyabje Gelek Rinpoche. Rinpoche, Monks Tantric Choir, known for their the spiritual director unusual musical of Jewel Heart, soon collaboration with became Ginsberg's P PR E V I E WA/ the Grateful close friend bnd Allen G Dead. spiritual mentor, a A . University Prof man with whom he MemOrial Service Elliot Ginsburg had an immediate Saturday, 7 p.m., Hill Auditorium will then represent ~ connection. Tickets $sy $15 and $20 Ginsberg's long- Over the years, time friend, Rabbi Ginsberg became fiercely dedicated to Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, reading the Jewel Heart, serving on the Governing Kaddish, the traditional Jewish prayer Board (along with Glass and others) for the dead. Last, Ginsberg's longtime and dedicating his time for such events secretary, Bob Rosenthal, will read as the annual Jewel Heart benefit at some of the poet's most recent works, Hill Auditorium, where he performed including the funeral poem "Gone, last year with Patti Smith. Gone, Gone," written shortly before his Because of his loyalty, it only seems death. fitting that the first Jewel Heart benefit The concert, a patchwork of poetry since Ginsberg's April 5 death be com- and music, will commence at 8 p.m. bined with a memorial service to honor The winner of this year's Jewel Heart the poet. Earlier this year, Ginsberg had poetry contest to honor the life and planned to return to Ann Arbor on May times of Ginsberg will read his or her 24 for another benefit concert with poem, followed by a night of talent and Patti Smith. tribute. In honor of Ginsberg's memory, the Tickets for the event can be pur- concert will go on; collaborating with chased at the Michigan Union Ticket Smith will be former 10,000 Maniac Office, Jewel Heart, Shaman Drum or Natalie Merchant, along with gui- Mayflower Bookshop. tarist Lenny Kaye and poet Anne All proceeds from the concert sup- Waldman - who co-founded the port Jewel Heart, which says it is "ded- Naropa Institute with Ginsberg in icated to the preservation of Tibetan Denver, Colo. Interestingly, the show Buddhism and to the practice of this courtesy of Jewel Heart will take place on the 49th day after rich tradition within the context of con- Natalie Merchant (top) and Patti Smith Ginsberg's death, a number that is temporary life.' will perform at the memorial service. FILE PHOT-/ai Allen Ginsberg performed at a Jewel Heart benefit in April 1995. Allen Ginsberg: A Chronology + June 3, 1926 - Ginsberg born in Newark, NJ. + 194448 - Ginsberg attends Columbia University and befriends William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady. + Early 1950s - Inspired by meeting William Carlos Williams, Ginsberg moves to San Francisco, joining the beat poetry movement. + 1956 - Ginsberg publishes his first book, "Howl and Other Poems." V 1961- Ginsberg's second major work, "Kaddish," is published. 4+1960s - Ginsberg promotes LSD with Timothy Leary, takes part in Ken Kesey's Acid Tests and actively protests the Vietnam War. + 1970 - Ginsberg converts to Buddhism and founds the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics, with poet Anne Waldman. + 1974 - "The Fall of America" wins the National Book Award. +1984-Ginsberg publishes "Collected Poems, 1947-1980." 4 April 5, 1997 - Ginsberg dies of liver cancer in New York City.