The Messenger of Magnolia Street

Last night I got to catch up with my OLD friend River Jordan. (Check out her blog: River JordanInk.com) Amazing how she hasn't changed in ...how many years...I have known her for....what?...fifteen years!!! Amazing! Any-hoo...she hasn't changed. I mean not a line on her face. Beautiful hair, skin and teeth...and for a writer that's a feat. (We don't have steady insurance)

She had a modest reading at "Malaprop's" last night here in town. Her newest book, "The Messenger of Magnolia Street" is sure to be a hit from the excerpts she read last night. I'm very proud of her. I realized, yet again, what a very good writer she is.

Afterwards, we had supper at "Bouchon" drinking Gigondas and eating lamb shank and steak au poivre. Which is steak in butter basically. Very tasty. Good conversation. Two passionate story-tellers going at it.

Then we went to "Temptations" for cocktails and conversation about the Christian right. Something that we don't want to get into on this blog. Chocolate cake was dry, but put right once River asked for it to be microwaved to our waiter's confusion.

So go out and get this book! There are signed copies of them at Malaprop's.

Farewell, River. Go forth my touchstone wife. My linked power teller. My friend.

Lydia Diamond's play is headed for 42nd street

Lydia Diamond: My hero
The Bluest Eye, Lydia's adaptation of the Toni Morrison novel is headed for New York! Steppenwolf is re-mounting the play from a successful run last year. In the fall it will head across the street from The Lion King. Congratulations, Lydia! I'll be there.




Steppenwolf's production of The Bluest Eye: an adaptation by Lydia Diamond. Click on picture for article

VAN-ginas UNITE

Come celebrate women and a very special part of them.
Details to follow. Stay tuned. If you don't know these
women, then you need to get to know them. Anne Sexton and
Sylvia Plath. (Don't watch the Gwenyth Paltrow movie) Read
the poetry. Anyway, keep reading.


tulip or symbol of woman hood? you decide
I'm putting together a special night in my utility van to go to this great production for a good cause. We'll be going opening night. SEE you there? If you're not comfortable riding in a utility van with a bunch of drunk and rauncy women...feel free to convoy. Let's support Beth! She's directing.

I am directing Western Carolina University's production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, and I would love to see each of your lovely faces in the audience. Show and ticket info is below.

As you may know, The Vagina Monologues is performed internationally in conjunction with V-Day, a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. Proceeds of this performance will benefit REACH of Jackson County, WCU Women's Center, and the V-Day Spotlight on "Comfort Women."

Hope to see you there. And please pass along to anyone you know who loves vaginas!
Beth

Wednesday Feb. 15 & Thursday Feb. 16
7:00 p.m. (Seating is general admission, so arrive well before 7)
WCU Fine and Performing Arts Center Theatre
Tickets: $10 General / $5 Students -- Call 828.227.7450, or purchase at University Center Room 319 (WCU), CIty Lights Books (downtown Sylva), Osondu Books (Main Street Waynesville)