Perf Po: Ed Sanders @ Harper College

Perf-Po: Ed Sanders @ Harper College from Harper College Kurt Hemmer on Vimeo.

On November 20, 2003, Ed Sanders gave a reading at Harper College, sharing some of his original poems and songs. Sanders’ performance is preceded by a brief interview with Kurt Hemmer, covering a range of topics, from Sanders’ earliest introduction to the Beat Generation writers, with whom he became friends and contemporaries, his wild days as a young activist in New York City (including diving in front of a nuclear submarine!) and writing his first book in jail.

Sanders also recalls living at the famous Tropicana Motel in Los Angeles while writing about the Manson Family, and how its who’s-who clientele of ’60s and ‘70s rock bands all threatened to move out if he ever brought the Family around.

He goes on to read his poetry and perform songs, including “Hymn to the Rebel Cafe” and the humorous “Government Surveillance Yodel.”

Produced by Kurt Hemmer. Production and post-production by Tom Knoff.