Only in LA: Emily Dickson and George Takei Mash-Up

This weekend, LA hosts an Emily Dickson festival in a downtown urban park. 

[Emily Dickson under the palm trees and skyscrapers on an 80 degree sunny March day.]

Coincides with the opening of a major long term museum exhibit dedicated to George Takei. Japanese-American Museum.

The two events are only a few blocks apart.

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http://www.laweekly.com/event/downtown-bookfest-7982179

This year, Downtown Bookfest at Grand Park is partnering with the City of L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs' Big Read to celebrate the poetry of Emily Dickinson. The annual literary gathering highlights the work of L.A.-based writers and publishers with daylong readings, spoken word and activities featuring members of 826LA, Get Lit Players and others. You can catch performances by Mayda Del Valle, David Prather and Cut Chemist + Hymnal, take part in a book-making workshop inspired by Dickinson's collection of 400 plant specimens, pose for pictures in a Victorian-themed photo booth or write poems on vintage typewriters. And if you want to skip a trip to the bookstore, Red Hen Press, Skylight Books and Get Lit Publications will sell books and other souvenirs in pop-up bookshops.  12-5 Saturday March 11. 

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http://www.laweekly.com/event/new-frontiers-the-many-worlds-of-george-takei-7982169

Famed Star Trek actor and community leader George Takei is the subject of the Japanese American National Museum's latest exhibit, "New Frontiers: The Many Worlds of George Takei." The display's timeline follows the L.A.-born Takei's life and career, from his family's incarceration in the Japanese-American internment camps in California and Arkansas during WWII and his many film and TV roles to his outspoken gay activism and stints in public service, including serving on the Southern California Rapid Transit District. Among the collection's personal items are photographs, artwork, scripts, awards, campaign materials from Takei's 1973 bid for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council and the torch he carried in the leadup to the 1984 Summer Olympics in L.A.   Through August 20.

For Piano and Harpo

We saw a play last night, FOR PIANO AND HARPO, written by and starring Dan Castellaneta.   Tells the story of mid-century eccentric star Oscar Levant, his battles with depression and sedatives, and his on-and-off friendship with Harpo Marx.   I ran across Levant in college, and remember reading his memoir, "Memories of an Amnesiac."  He was a classically trained pianist who became the go-to guy for a funny or eccentric sidekick character actor in the 40s and 50s (for example, he is the eccentric pal, sidekick, pianist in American in Paris).   He also knew Gershwin - he was the pianist of record at Gershwin's funeral - and his recording of Rhapsody in Blue was considered one of the best.   He descended later in life into deeper eccentricity and mental problems, in and out of hospitals.  When he appeared on talk shows like Jack Paar, he would make cracks like, "I'm here because the beds were full in the loony bin tonight."   Harpo Marx had a colorful life and personality despite being "the one who never talked" on screen, the obvious forerunner of Teller.  

There's a scene where he's pursuing what would be his second wife, who tells him (in the bar) to scram, and he says, I can't get out, I'm lost in your eyes.  She retorts, "Take a left at the cataract and straight down the tear duct."  He pops back, "Damn, now I'll have to love you for your mind, too."