gwynnega

This is shaping up to be a lousy week for Los Angeles literary institutions. I just found out that Dutton's Brentwood will be closing its doors in April, following the closures of their Sherman Oaks and Beverly Hills bookshops and the new owner of the Brentwood building's plans to redevelop the property. I truly hope Doug Dutton reopens the bookstore at another location. The Sherman Oaks Dutton's was my childhood bookshop, and I've spent countless hours there and at Dutton's Brentwood. I can't imagine Los Angeles without a Dutton's.

Meanwhile, last night I found out that Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center is in trouble. Their lease is up on March 1st, and although Councilman Bill Rosendahl has recommended a 25-year lease extension, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo is gunning for the property to be auctioned off. I've been going to events at Beyond Baroque since the eighties (and have read there a few times myself). I've seen readings there by Eileen Myles, Jim Carroll, Bernadette Meyer, Amiri Baraka, and Wanda Coleman, to name just a few. Again, I can't imagine a Los Angeles without this place.

( more about the Beyond Baroque situation, and what can be done to help... )