(Photo by Nick Kenrick)
If you’re the kind of reader or listener who has ever experienced language as voluptuous, you’ll intuitively understand the notion of a Poetry Brothel. It’s a place where you go for a guilt-free, STD-proof total immersion in the sensuous pleasures of words elegantly strung together.
Conceived by the Poetry Society of New York as a way to make poetry fun, the Poetry Brothel has been successful in New York City, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Chicago and many other places. It presents poets as high courtesans who impart their work in public readings, spontaneous eruptions of poetry and, most distinctly, as purveyors of private poetry readings on couches, chaises longues and in private nooks and crannies.
A brand-new venue for the Poetry Brothel of Kingston, Rhinebeck’s Liberty Public House offers a perfect turn-of-the-century bordello setting for such an event, and will host one this Friday, June 6 beginning at 8 p.m. For an extra charge of only $3, a participating poet will read one of his or her poems privately to the “client,” just for them. Come on, you could use a little specialized personal attention after a stressful week, couldn’t you? It’s like a massage for the inner ear – and the corresponding pleasure centers of the brain.
Some of the spoken-word offerings will be set to musical scores, including a touch of electronica. In addition to the roving band of costumed performance poets who constitute the local Poetry Brothel troupe, a variety of musical acts will help create the requisite lush and self-indulgent atmosphere. Jennifer Lewis Bennett will deliver saucy torch songs, and Lady Ayleeza will belly-dance to the Gypsy strains of the venue’s house band, Levanta. Other musicians, jugglers and various roustabouts will be on hand to enrich the interactive brothel experience.
Lest all this sound just a teensy bit Politically Incorrect, you should know that Poetry Brothel of Kingston has become a supporter of Children of Tomorrow, an international organization that rescues and provides educational resources to young victims of human trafficking. Part of the proceeds from Friday evening’s entertainment will support Children of Tomorrow’s Nepal project, teaching previously trafficked and devalued girls that their voices are indeed valuable. One of their poems is scheduled to be read at this event.
Tickets to the Poetry Brothel cost $10 and will be available at the door. The Liberty Publick House is located at 6417 Montgomery street in Rhinebeck. For more information, call (845) 876-1760 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1406105182996121.