L.A. Book Launch: Brute Entropy by jerry the priest

jerry the priest's slender volume documents a range of spiritual quests and misadventures, by turns cringeworthy and hilarious, interspersed with a collection of highly transgressive poetry and short stories, all of which serve to illustrate first-hand, the ravages of unmedicated bi-polar disorder. It is at the same time, a work of blackest humor, a travel diary and an educational tome, as well as a cautionary tale. The intended audience is anyone with a zest for transgressive literature a la Kathy Acker, William S. Burroughs and Jean Genet. It is for those who are challenged by the mores of polite society and find outright rejection of said mores inspiring and amusing. It is for those readers who especially love adept, skillful and evocative usage of the English language. Step onto the interstate. Put your mouth where your lips are.

Joining the book launch are authors Richard Modiano, Dennis Cruz, and Richard Loranger from Oakland, California. After the readings in the Wanda coleman Theater enjoy a reception with refreshments and book signings.

Praise for Brute Entropy:

“If brutalism were a song, Brute Entropy sings it: Adventures colliding with images telling tales of love and wonder, lightning and regret. A spirit on fire and a mind racing itself in a circle that, ultimately, reveals a path. Jerry’s work is restless, relentless, eviscerating. Like a bodhisattva masturbating with stones, The Priest howls sermons to the cosmos and the stars weep with fire.”

--Dennis Cruz, Author of MOTH WING TEA and The Beast is We

Doors Open: 6:30 PM I Readings: 7:00 PM

jerry the priest, legal name Jerome Dunn, has been creating material for exhibition, publication and live presentation since 1979, when he studied experimental music at the University of Redlands. A vocal performer since early childhood, his formal study of music began with his first trombone lesson in 1967. He holds a BA in Performance Studies from Naropa University, and an MFA in Theater Directing/Production from California Institute of the Arts. His latest collection of poetry and prose, Brute Entropy, is available on amazon.com. and wherever he performs.

Richard Loranger is a multi-genre writer, performer, musician, visual artist, and all-around squeaky wheel, currently residing in Oakland, CA. Their podcast “My 12-Month Video Fast” can be found by the brave on Spotify and most pod-venues. Their latest book of poetry and flash prose, Mammal, was released by Roof Books in October 2023. They’re also the author of Unit of Agency (now in its second edition), Be A Bough Tit, Sudden Windows, Poems for Teeth, The Orange Book, and ten chapbooks, and have work in over 100 magazines and journals. You can find more about their work and scandals at www.richardloranger.com.

Dennis Cruz is a vital poet who inhabits the voice of the perpetual outsider and the purely American dissident. He has been writing, performing and publishing his work for over 30 years. His latest collection of Poetry THE BEAST IS WE is out now via Punk Hostage Press.

While a resident of New York City, Richard Modiano became active in the literary community connected to the Poetry Project where he came to know Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, Anne Waldman, William S. Burroughs and Ted Berrigan. Modiano served on the board of directors of Valley Contemporary Poets from 1995 until 2001.  In 2001 he was a programmer at Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, joined the Board of Trustees in 2006, and from 2010 to 2019, he served as Executive Director. In that time he produced and curated hundreds of literary events, and with Henry Morro, Suzanne Lummis and Liz Camfiord co-founded and named Beyond Baroque Books’ sub-imprint The Pacific Coast Poetry Series. In 2019 he was elected Vice President of the California State Poetry Society. In 2023 Modiano joined the board of directors of the Los Angeles Poetry Society. The Huffington Post named him as one of 200 people doing the most to promote poetry in the United States. Modiano is the winner of the 2022 Joe Hill Prize for labor poetry and is a Push Cart Prize nominee. His collection The Forbidden Lunch Box is published by Punk Hostage Press. He is one of the rotating hosts for KPFK’s Poets Café. Richard is a rank-and-file member of the Industrial Workers of the World and a member of the National Writers Union.

Livestream: If you can’t join us in-person the event will be livestreamed on at the scheduled time of the event.

Masks are encouraged while inside our center.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Event attendees are expected to behave in a respectful and considerate manner while in our space. Beyond Baroque reserves the right to remove individuals from our events, virtual or otherwise, if they are not respecting the space, fellow attendees, or performers.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, United States