Sarah Gluck
Who: Speakers include - Sam Lipsyte, Mark Chiusano,
Christopher Sorrentine, James Wolcott, and Don DeLillo
Hosted by: Gerald Howard
What: Brooklyn Voices Presents The Gilbert Sorrentino
Birthday Tribute
When: April 27th 2015 @ 7:30pm
Where: St Joseph’s College New York –Tuohy Hall Auditorium
245 Clinton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205
Review:
Just like every good birthday celebration, the person who's
birthday that is worth celebrating is directly in the spotlight. Whether they
planned their own party or someone is surprising them and they have no idea, it’s
that one person’s special day. In this case the birthday celebration isn’t
for someone present. They are indeed directly in the spotlight, but it isn't a
surprise that they are being recognized. It's April 27th, the fiction and short story author Gilbert Sorrentino’s
birthday. Sorrentino would be turning 86 years old today if he was still with
us. The event, held at St Joseph's at 7:30 on this windy evening, is
a tribute to this great and well-known author, a day of celebration and a
tribute to recognize his admirable work.
It's the last event being put on by the Brooklyn Voices
for the spring and perhaps to some it’s the most important night in the series. Up
on stage eight men sit in black plastic chairs side by side. The lighting seems
too bright because some of the men are squinting and even have their eyes closed.
Later in the event, one of the speakers mentions that they are unable to even view
anyone in the audience –“is there anyone out there? Are there thousands of you
out there? I wouldn’t know”, he snarls sarcastically. Each man sits and waits patiently
for his turn to talk. All the men are in attendance because they have some connection
to Gilbert himself. Whether that connection means they’re blood related,
originated from the same city, colleagues, fellow authors, or just people who
have kept up with his work and hold him in high regard, they all respect and
recognize Gilbert Sorrentino’s achievements.
The group of speakers all had their
chance of speaking. Some told short little stories that involved themselves and
Gilbert more personally. Some read passages from books, and funny lists that
Gilbert had written where the voice of his character made the entire audience
chuckle. Snippets of chapters where read that romanticized women, or brought
attention to the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn where he grew up and lived. Some of the books and passages used in the reading included The Moon In It's Flight, Red the Fiend, Mulligan Stew, and Imaginative Qualities of Actual Things. The
speakers did an excellent job of choosing the texts they decided to present,
because without being familiar with Gilbert and his writing, one thing that was
for sure was how brilliant & hilarious this new author (or rather old) was in
my eyes. The tribute didn't just read over works Gilbert produced throughout
his life, it had the capability of bringing Gilbert and his work back to
life himself, even if it was only for an hour. And like any good birthday
celebration, wine and cupcakes, laughs and stories were shared.
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