A Night of Poetry + Jazz with David Clewell, Paul DeMarinis and Kim Portnoy, Hosted by Laumeier’s In-Residence: Poet Stefene Russell

This ain't your grandfather's cartoony-beatnik-call-and-reponse ragout of self-conscious Cool. More than a dozen of Clewell's poems (this guy's Missouri Poet Laureate Emeritus, whatever that exactly means!) are here reimagined, augmented by the original compositions of local jazz virtuosos Paul DeMarinis and Kim Portnoy of Webster University's Jazz Studies program.

Join us for an unforgettable joy-ride through the lyrical and narrative territories of conspiracy theories, the New Jersey shore, the glory days of flying saucers, the cockeyed specifics of No Soliciting signs, never-closing diners, street performers, elephant jokes, bird-watchers and Albert Einstein's Sunday-afternoon brush with a particular Jersey baby. Listen for cameo guest appearances by Coleman Hawkins, Adam & Eve, Willy Loman, Jimmy Stewart, the Swiss Army, Richard Nixon, vengeful Girl Scouts and Jehovah's Witnesses, the legendary Uncle Bud, Nicola Tesla, Schrodinger's Cat and many other notables along for the ride.

Laumeier’s Conversation Series offers free, informal learning opportunities for adult audiences through lectures and discussions about art and nature with staff members, visiting artists and community leaders. Coffee and cocktail events encourage participants to ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere. Refreshments are always provided! Free, ages 21 and up.