It is both an honor and a privilege to announce NightBallet's first 2015 publication:
The Paris Notebooks by Cleveland's own RA Washington!
The Paris Notebooks by Cleveland's own RA Washington!
RA Washington, an iconic figure in the Cleveland poetry scene, is a true Renaissance man. He is poet, novelist, artist, editor, publisher, musician, entrepreneur, DJ, helmsman at Guide to Kulchur, and so much more. Sam Allard did a beautiful piece on Washington in Scene Magazine in June of last year (you can read it here). In the article, Allard says:
"The bookshelves at Guide to Kulchur aren't just stocked, they're curated. RA Washington has...been rocking and rolling at the helm of the westside's coolest book-and-culture warehouse for more than a year. It's certainly much more than a bookstore. Washington sells and repairs antique typewriters and has made the shop's basement a co-op workshop for the creation of 'zines. The basement is also where the readings and performances go down—Cleveland's version of a Parisian salon."
Which leads us to The Paris Notebooks, a series of poems and essays based on his visit to Paris in 2013. The pieces fearlessly comment on culture (both French and American), justice, relationships, identity, and the fruitless pursuit of tabac with the wry humor and clear vision that characterizes Washington's work.
If you have the chance to hear RA Washington read, by all means, do so! He is a powerhouse of words and a masterful performer. If you are really lucky, you might get to hear him read Tabac (a personal favorite of NBP's)!
The Paris Notebooks is 28 pages long, and contains 12 poems/essays. Published today, January 18, 2015, it is available for immediate purchase for only $5 plus $3 shipping/handling.
Or, you can swing by Guide to Kulchur at 1386 West 65th Street in Cleveland, Ohio (Tues, Wed, Thurs 1pm-9pm, Fri 12 noon- 1am, Sat 1pm-9pm, Sun 1pm-6pm) and have the man himself sign a copy for you! While you're there, check out the wide selection of books published by various Cleveland-area small presses...it's a truly awesome collection, and all for sale! NightBallet Press supports and celebrates the independent bookstore!
Again, folks, get yourself a copy of The Paris Notebooks by RA Washington...you'll be glad you did!
