Six Gallery reading facts for kids
The Six Gallery reading was a very important poetry event. It happened on Friday, October 7, 1955. The event took place at 3119 Fillmore Street in San Francisco. It is also sometimes called the Gallery Six reading.
What Was the Six Gallery Reading?
This special event was thought up by Wally Hedrick. It was the first big public moment for a group of writers called the Beat Generation. This reading helped start a new wave of literature on the West Coast. This movement was part of the larger San Francisco Renaissance. Peter Forakis designed the poster for the reading.
At the reading, five talented young poets shared their new works. These poets were Allen Ginsberg, Philip Lamantia, Michael McClure, Gary Snyder, and Philip Whalen. Before this event, they were mostly known by friends and other writers. A poet named Kenneth Rexroth introduced them. He was an older San Francisco poet. He was like a mentor to the younger writers. He helped them connect through his weekly get-togethers.
Philip Lamantia read poems written by his friend, John Hoffman, who had passed away. Michael McClure read his poems "Point Lobos Animism" and "For the Death of 100 Whales." Gary Snyder shared "A Berry Feast." Philip Whalen read "Plus Ca Change." The most famous part of the night was when Allen Ginsberg first read his poem Howl.
Who Was There?
Wally Hedrick, who was a painter, asked Allen Ginsberg to organize the poetry reading. At first, Ginsberg said no. But after he wrote a first version of Howl, he changed his mind.
A large and excited crowd came to the reading. Among them was Jack Kerouac, who was full of energy. He did not read his own work. Instead, he cheered on the other poets. He shouted "Yeah! Go! Go!" during their performances. Kerouac remembered a lot about the reading. He wrote about it in his novel The Dharma Bums.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti was also there. The next day, he sent Ginsberg a message. He offered to publish Ginsberg's work. Neal Cassady helped share refreshments and collected donations. Ann Charters, a college student from UC Berkeley, was also present. This night was when Ann Charters first met Jack Kerouac. She later wrote a well-known book about him called Kerouac (1973).
Where Was the Gallery?
The Six Gallery was started by several artists and poets. These included Wally Hedrick, Deborah Remington, John Ryan, Jack Spicer, Hayward King, and David Simpson. Before it was called the Six Gallery, it was known as the King Ubu Gallery. That name was a nod to a play called Ubu Roi. Artist Jess Collins founded the King Ubu Gallery in 1952.
Before it became a place for art and poetry, the building was an auto repair shop. In 1995, a writer named Tony Willard visited the spot. He wrote that 3119 Fillmore was a yellow building with blue awnings. It had black flower boxes with bright flowers. It was home to a store selling rugs and pillows.
The exact address 3119 Fillmore no longer exists. However, a special podium and plaque are on the sidewalk. They are in front of a restaurant at 3115 Fillmore. This plaque remembers the 50th anniversary of the "Howl" reading. The black flower boxes are still there today.
