Photo by Matt Kelley
If I had a nickel for every time a friend and I came up with a grandiose plan to improve the cultural vitality of Baltimore while drinking cheap booze in a local bar, I would have a shitload of nickles. But alas, many ideas fall short, lose priority, or never even leave the stool from which they were contrived. Luckily for all of us, this was not the case for Pat King and Nick Korpon. The result of such scheming is Last Sunday, Last Rites. “It’s a monthly reading series featuring Baltimore writers of fiction and poetry but often hosts readers from as far away as Seattle or the UK.” Nick Explains as Pat walks up to us after having just had a book signed by one of the night’s authors. “We met through the Outside Writers Collective… we wanted to start a reading series; we emailed each other then went out and got drunk, and now we have a reading series.” On this propitious session of Last Sunday, Last Rites attendees were lucky enough to have New York based writer Joseph Riippi, author of the novel “Do Something! Do Something! Do Something!” entertain us with excerpts.
Photo and story by Matt Kelley.
Photo by Matt Kelley
Ex-Pat and author Adam Gallari read from his novel ‘We are Never As Beautiful As We Are Now’, a collection of stories that focuses on individual’s fight with the reality of their lives and the urge to change them.
Photo and story by Matt Kelley.
Photo by Matt Kelley
Baltimore local Joseph Young reading from a novel titled ‘Name.’ “I finished it in a month to pay my rent. It was my first attempt at vampire stories,” says Young.
Photo and story by Matt Kelley.
Photo by Matt Kelley
Nick Kordon and Pat King.
“I’ve heard people say that other readings aren’t as much fun. It’s more of a party atmosphere [at LSLR]… if someone wants to read they can just get in touch by email at lastritesbaltimore@hotmail.com. If they’re half decent we’ll usually put them on,” Pat King.
Sometimes when attending reading sessions there is a strange level of social discomfort in the beginning. It almost feels like everyone is scared to break the silence or no one wants to stand out, which, considering the purpose of said events, is ironic to say the least. I’ve personally seen sessions where it takes three speakers before everyone finally lets their guard down and surrenders to the provocation inherent in listening to someone recite poems or stories. This couldn’t be any further from the truth at Last Sunday, Last Rites. LSLR is held in the Baltimore Hostel on Mulberry Street in Mt Vernon. People are welcome to help themselves to fresh tea or coffee and can relax in one of their many comfortable chairs and couches or talk with people who hail from across the globe. There is also beer, which is crucial. Sweet, delicious National Bohemian Beer.
The next LSLR scheduled is, that’s right you guessed it, the last Sunday in September, the 25th. It starts at 7pm at the Baltimore Hostel located at 17 W. Mulberry Street. I hope to see you all there.
Photo and story by Matt Kelley.
