Discrete Series in the news... we're thrilled for the attention, but please read on for a few clarifications.
The pulpit of poetry
Getting cultured--and wasted--at church
by Michael Workman
Crowds mill amongst the wooden church pews, the din of voices rising and falling with the excitement of the conversation. The pulpit has been converted into a stage, with tripod-mounted speakers on either side, backdropped by black curtains draped from metal rods. Everybody here's looking and listening, talking. Meeting new people. One scenester hoists a PBR "fan can," another a Heineken mini-keg. What does this congregation sing the praises of at this particular house of worship? Poetry, of course. Or jazz. Take your pick.
At this refurbished old Pentecostal church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, poets read their words and jazz musicians such as Ken Vandermark play the night away. It's an inviting setup, with BYOB encouraged. Even better, admission's free.
The space is run by Elastic Revolution Productions, a group formed by poets Kerri Sonnenberg and Jesse Seldess to provide "recording, rehearsal and performance space" for artists of any stripe. On the night in question, Seldess reads from a rhythmically repetitive group of works, with the crowd perceptibly swaying from alcohol and sleepiness. Dead silence fills the room. After him, Lewis Warsh, an associate professor at Long Island University in Brooklyn, takes the stage to read from his poetry collection "Touch of the Whip." If it's like this every night--and word is, the series never fails to satisfy--then it's a worthy gospel, indeed.
(2004-02-18)
Dear Mr. Workman:
We were interested to learn that the February 13th event at the 3030 space was the subject of your article "THE PULPIT OF POETRY Getting Cultured --And Wasted -- At Church" in last week's New City. There were, however, some significant inaccuracies in the article we feel are of great importance to
clarify to your readers. First, the 3030 space is run by the Elastic Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization with which Jesse Seldess and Kerri Sonnenberg are affiliated through presenting the Discrete Series - a monthly reading series. Seldess and Sonnenberg had no part in forming the
organization; Rather, the Discrete Series is part of EAF?s mission to build bridges with other area artists, and it began hosting the monthly Discrete events in the space one year ago. The Elastic Arts Foundation is a nine member collective of artists, informally working together since 1998, programming free public performances out of a refurbished Humboldt Park church, at 3030 W. Cortland. In addition to the Discrete Series, EAF produces an Improvised Music Series (where Ken Vandermark does often
perform); a series of Hip-Hop/Spoken Word performances; the Cucaracha Cabaret, which is a series devoted to presenting live puppetry and physical theatre/art pieces; and Elastro, an electroacoustic music series.
We value very highly the audiences who come to 3030 for their commitment to the experimental, hybrid or otherwise non-traditional creative work that is showcased there. It is a space that honors close
listening, where artists enjoy an engaged and attentive audience. While individuals may bring in their own refreshments, 3030's events are hardly the bacchanal the article suggests. We'd like to emphasize that no liquor is sold on the premises and that the environment portrayed in the article is counter to the actual mission of the organization: to provide performance opportunities for independent artists of all disciplines and media; to provide coordination, outreach, and creative leadership within the performing arts communities of Chicago; to facilitate collaboration among artists of diverse aesthetic, social, and cultural backgrounds, while presenting free performances to varied audiences; and, to foster interest and support for new and under-exposed artists and art forms, providing the public with unique aesthetic and cultural events in an alternative environment.
On a final note, there is always a suggested donation for 3030 events. The Discrete Series requests a $5 donation that supports the operational expenses of the space and supplies an honorarium to the readers, many of whom travel to Chicago from afar at their own expense.
We certainly appreciate your having chosen to publicly support the Discrete Series and EAF through your article in the New City. We hope, however, that our clarification of 3030's mission and intent will prompt you to pass such clarification onto your readers in the next New City. We would appreciate it. Further questions about the Elastic Arts Foundation can be directed to: Paul Giallorenzo, Elastic Arts Foundation, 3030 W. Cortland, Chicago IL, 60647. paul@elasticrevolution.com.
Best Regards,
THE ELASTIC ARTS FOUNDATION:
ALISON CHESLEY
STEVE GAEDE
PAUL GIALLORENZO
STEFAN GRACE
DAVIS KRIEG
SAM LEWIS
MARK ROCHON
DAN SCHWARZLOSE
LIENA VAYZMAN
THE ORGANIZERS OF THE DISCRETE SERIES:
KERRI SONNENBERG
JESSE SELDESS
