“Of Words and Music” Series: Original Works of Ken Kesey

Posted on November 20, 2010 by m

Ken Kesey

First Thursday “Of Words and Music” Series: Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010

Kick-off Event featuring the original works of Ken Kesey
5:30-7:00pm, FREE, all ages
(Donations accepted for UO Libraries to purchase Kesey manuscripts)

Ken Kesey left an extraordinary legacy that has shaped social and cultural values to this day. The Ken Kesey Collection includes irreplaceable typewritten manuscripts, artwork, collages, photographs, and correspondence, dating from 1960 – 2001. The University of Oregon has the unique opportunity to purchase the Ken Kesey Collection and keep it in its current home, the UO Knight Library, as Ken wished.

portion from Kesey Jailhouse Manuscript

For this special “Of Words and Music” event, local literary artists and published authors, Cecelia Hagen, Miriam Gershow, Paul Calandrino, Cai Emmons, Lauren Kessler and Max Rayneard will read from the original Kesey documents while local saxophonist, Charlie Gurke improvises accompaniment.

“It is impossible to be a writer here and not feel enormously grateful to Kesey,” says author and visionary behind the “Of Words and Music Series” at OPUS VII, Cai Emmons. “This special collection of Ken Kesey’s papers offers insight into the life and work of a man who was, and continues to be, a pivotal part of the Eugene community.”

Donations will be accepted during the event to raise funds to help the UO acquire the Ken Kesey Collection and ensure that it is safeguarded in perpetuity, for the benefit of scholars, writers, and citizens worldwide.

More about “Of Words and Music” – Introducing literature and music to Opus VII’s elegant gallery space, the “Of Words and Music” Series will provide early evening performances that weave the written word with instrumental music and song, to create a stimulating aural tapestry. Come after work to enjoy a glass of wine and beautiful sounds. From 5:30-7:00 on the first Thursday of each month.