Author of the Day: Dawnie Walton

I vaguely knew this woman. I was from Orange Park, and I had friends from Stanton HS. She was my age and was a regular at Einstien's A-Go-Go (indie rock dance club/live music vneue) in Jacksonville Beach (a good 50 minute drive from my parents' back in the 90s). I was shy, but she was also a regular there, that I knew her from my Stanton friends. The fact she moved to Brooklyn when I lived there (and shall be living there soon enough, again), and moved in the same social circles, made me notice how much I don't pay attention to my social/artistic surroundings.

Anyhosers, her novel, "The Final Review of Opal & Nev"  (2021, 9781982140168 ) has been nominated (mark twain in american voice, women's prize in fiction) and won aspen words literary prize and audie award for best fiction.  Basically, it's a beautifully written fictional account of a black woman navigating the rock world as an artist in the 1970s nyc. It shows a fresh angle displaying the inherent racism and sexism that exists in the business, while demonstrating the strength and guile of someone intelligent and artistic enough to see it through. Queue it!

more info: Dawnie Walton | Author of The Final Revival of Opal & Nev

 Score of the day: Luc Ferrari - "Tête et queue du dragon (1959–60)"

I had the honor of hanging out w/ Luc Ferrari after a show at the Kitchen in the spring of 2003, when my friend, Dj Olive collaborated w/ him live. An outstanding, warm, and fine chap. Here's some examples of his 1960 piece, Tête et queue du dragon. First of all, notice the aleatorical score:

The score was part of a published booklet. I can only find a preview, which can be found here: https://www.calameo.com/maison-ona/read/0043260678a0dec2d349f

but the piece de resistance, is this nice vid of the piece that scans the booklet and the score as the sounds susurrate...