Amid the ongoing chaos and struggles of life, how does any arts project maintain a semblance of momentum?

For us, as much as possible we’ve begun attempting to filter out media/social media noise and stick to our ambitious plan. We’re taking small– some might say incremental– steps, but the pieces of what we wish to become, to accomplish, are being put into place. Of course we’ll require the help of ambitious writers and other talented performers and artists. Our “Pop Lit” framework is in place. We just need to do a better job of inhabiting it! The goal: to become a vehicle for a more exciting, more colorful brand of literature to speed into the culture. (Our newest launched publication– not an in-house printed book or zeen, because based on its subject and themes we needed to move with more speed– is the novella The Loud Boys, now available here, the ebook version at other places.)

ONE SPOT on our project’s site we need to become more active is our Open Mic. Great recorded spoken word, of which we’ve provided a lot since we started the option, beginning with a recording purporting to be of classic American film actress Katharine Hepburn made during the final years of her life. A dubious contention, we know, but we posted it regardless.

TODAY we present spoken word centered around another classic Hollywood actress: Marlene Dietrich. The piece is called “Dietrich in Heaven” and it’s by hyper-talented New Mexico-based poet and performer John Biscello. We know you’ll love it!