Amiri Baraka at The Sanctuary for Independent Media

By Jessica Pasko

Amiri Baraka.jpgOK, before you say "Who?" think back to the beat poets of the 60's. Back then poet and activist Amiri Baraka was known as LeRoi Jones and was palling around with the likes of Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs. He founded Totem press, published the work of the beat poets and was married to fellow beatnik, Hettie Cohen.

Later he converted to Islam and changed his name to Amiri Baraka. He went on to become a playwright, a Marxist, a professor and even a collaborator with hip hop group The Roots.

This Saturday he'll be at The Sanctuary for Independent Media with New York City-based saxophonist Rob Brown. Baraka will be reading from his new book, "Somebody Blew Up America and Other Poems." It starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10.

Earlier that evening at 6 p.m., the Sanctuary's hosting an opening reception for Brenda Ann Kenneally's new exhibit, a collection of photographs called "Upstate Girls," which examines poverty and working class America through the eyes of women and girls living in Troy.

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Jack Keruac? Amiria Baraka? Mother of mercy, is this the end of proofreading!

Editors: proofreading isn't dead -- it's just been distributed. Thank you for your help.

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