Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac Festival
LOWELL CELEBRATES KEROUAC! FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 2013
50TH ANNIVERSARY, “VISIONS OF GERARD,” & 25TH ANNIVERSARY, KEROUAC COMMEMORATIVE
“EVERYBODY GOES HOME IN OCTOBER.” Jack Kerouac, On the Road
[Draft schedule, 12 June 2013]
Pre-Festival Events
Sunday, September 29, 12 noon. Jack Kerouac Road Race, Old Worthen House.
Monday, October 7, 1 to 5 pm. Walking Jack, Kerouac Loop Walk.
Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! Festival
Thursday, October 10
5:30-8 pm. Traditional Kerouac Pubs Tour: Worthen, White Eagle, Ricardo’s, Cappy’s.
8-???? pm. Traditional LCK kick-off music-and-readings event at Cappy’s Copper Kettle. LCK Celebrates Amram!
Friday, October 11
9 am. Lowell High School Poetry Competition.
4 pm. Talking Jack or specific readings discussion, UML Inn & Conference Center.
5 pm. Paintings exhibition and readings inspired by “Visions of Gerard” with artist Barbara Gagel and Kerouac scholar Roger Brunelle, Ayer Gallery, Middle St.
8 pm. Jamming Jack, listening to Kerouac recordings of legendary passages from his books, complemented by David Amram and friends, White Eagle Pub, Market St.
Saturday, October 12
9:30 am. Commemorative at the Commemorative, traditional event on Bridge St.; celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Jack Kerouac Commemorative, a nationally renowned public art literary landmark. Lowell creators of the plaza will speak. Readings and music featuring David Amram will create a special aura for this special place.
11 am. Roger Brunelle will lead the Kerouac’s Lowell birthplace-to-gravesite bus tour. Required $10 donation. Reservations at 978-970-5000
2 pm. Jim Sampas, music and film producer, Parker Lecture on Kerouac in music and film such as new film “Big Sur,” Visitor Center.
3:30 pm. Concurrent sessions such as Open Mike at the Emporium and Pollard Library guided tour
5:30-7:30 pm. “Mystic Jack” walking tour led by Roger Brunelle. Meet in front of St. Louis church, W. 6th Ave., Centralville neighborhood
8 pm-??? Jack's Roots: From Canada to Lowell, with Michele Choiniere, Brent Mason, Bob Martin, and David Amram. Have all of them play separately--and perhaps together at times; and add in some readings from JK's novels that speak to Canada and Lowell; Old Court Pub, Central St.
Sunday, October 13
1-5 pm. Serious Amram Jam, Beerworks.
5:30 pm. Sun Sets over Jack’s Bridge: Adieu to Textile Memorial Bridge, Moody Street Bridge, Watermelon Man Bridge; to be demolished SOON!
6 pm. Roger Brunelle’s Ghosts of the Pawtucketville Night tour; leaves from Textile Memorial Bridge.
Nighttime wrap-up event with music & poetry at Gallery 119. Featuring David Amram and Steve Dalachinsky.
Monday, October 14
10 am. Kerouac’s Nashua NH Roots car caravan tour; meet at gravesite, Edson Cemetery, Lowell. Led by Steve Edington.
Post-Festival Events
October 20, Sunday, 4 pm until ??? Waking Jack: Jack Kerouac Memorial Walk & Wake, guided walk & readings from the Grotto, music & readings to follow Upstairs at the Worthen; in memoriam of the death of Jack Kerouac on October 21, 1969.