Episodes
| Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | San Francisco | 20130818 | 20130824 (R4) | San Francisco is a place where a thousand stories meet - a port city where many cultures and races mix, the birthplace of counterculture and political ideologies, and now home to the high-tech revolution. Kim Shuck, poet, educator and weaver was born in the city and has Tsalagi, Sauk and Fox and Polish ancester's. She takes us on a tour of her San Francisco including North Beach and China Town and discusses how poets have been inspired by the city. We hear so much about The Beat poets in San Francisco, but the city's poetry scene is so much more than the Beats. This is a chance to hear some of the other poems coming out of the city. During the programme we talk to poets such as Devorah Major who was Poet Laureate of San Francisco and who takes us to Marcus Books, the oldest Black book shop in America. We also hear from Jack Hirschman, part of the Beat generation and social activist, about how music and jazz have influenced the city's poetic voice. Other poets in the programme include Genny Lim, David Brazil, Micah Ballard and David Buuck. Producer: Laura Parfitt A White Pebble Media production for BBC Radio 4. Writer Kim Shuck takes us on a poetic tour of San Francisco. Two-part series on Californian poetry |
| 02 | Los Angeles | 20130825 | 20130831 (R4) | Poet and Lyricist Stephen J. Kalinich takes us on a poetic tour of Los Angeles for this 2 part series on Californian poetry. Los Angeles poet and lyricist Stephen J. Kalinich looks to find the real poetic voice of the city - a voice he believes is to be found in the poetry of the streets. Stephen worked with the Beach Boys as a lyricist in the '60s and also recorded a poetry album with Brian Wilson, 'A World of Peace Must Come' inspired by Vietnam. Indeed peace has been his major theme as a writer. He recently recited poetry at a concert of 'Sugarman' Sixto Rodrigez. As well as reciting some of his own work, Stephen is on a quest to discover the true poetry of LA. On his journey round the city, he encounters poets such as S.A. Griffin, from the poetry group Carma Bums who talks about his work also to promote peace with his tour of a 'poetry bomb' - a real bomb filled with poems. He also talks about the harshness of living in a town dominated by the movie industry and a desire to be famous from his experience of working as an actor. We also visit acclaimed song writer P.F. Sloan who talks about his latest work on a musical and the difference between writing lyrics and poetry. He also explains how living in L.A. can sometimes seem like being at a party, being really hungry and the fruit in the fruit bowl is plastic. Other poets we meet include Gingee, a poet and DJ from the Filipino community who talks about the issues she has encountered and why she needs to represent her community in her work. Producer: Laura Parfitt A White Pebble Media production for BBC Radio 4. Poet and lyricist Stephen J Kalinich takes listeners on a poetic tour of Los Angeles. Two-part series on Californian poetry Poet and Lyricist Stephen J. Kalinich takes us on a poetic tour of Los Angeles for this 2 part series on Californian poetry. Los Angeles poet and lyricist Stephen J. Kalinich looks to find the real poetic voice of the city - a voice he believes is to be found in the poetry of the streets. Stephen worked with the Beach Boys as a lyricist in the '60s and also recorded a poetry album with Brian Wilson, 'A World of Peace Must Come' inspired by Vietnam. Indeed peace has been his major theme as a writer. He recently recited poetry at a concert of 'Sugarman' Sixto Rodrigez. As well as reciting some of his own work, Stephen is on a quest to discover the true poetry of LA. On his journey round the city, he encounters poets such as S.A. Griffin, from the poetry group Carma Bums who talks about his work also to promote peace with his tour of a 'poetry bomb' - a real bomb filled with poems. He also talks about the harshness of living in a town dominated by the movie industry and a desire to be famous from his experience of working as an actor. We also visit acclaimed song writer P.F. Sloan who talks about his latest work on a musical and the difference between writing lyrics and poetry. He also explains how living in L.A. can sometimes seem like being at a party, being really hungry and the fruit in the fruit bowl is plastic. Other poets we meet include Gingee, a poet and DJ from the Filipino community who talks about the issues she has encountered and why she needs to represent her community in her work. Producer: Laura Parfitt A White Pebble Media production for BBC Radio 4. Poet and lyricist Stephen J Kalinich takes listeners on a poetic tour of Los Angeles. Two-part series on Californian poetry |