Sun., May 27: Phoenix Reading with Allegretti, Kolm and Padki in Greenwich Village, NYC

New York, NY, May 27, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Three local writers, Joel Allegretti, Ron Kolm and Melind Padki -- an eclectic mix of voices: a pop-culture chronicler, a "Downtown" cultural revolutionary and archivist, with an inside observer of Indian diaspora in America -- will be reading for Michael Graves's Phoenix Reading this Sunday afternoon May 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Scalinatella (formerly Scali Caffe) in Greenwich Village, New York City.

"The Kansas City Star” counted Joel Allegretti’s “Father Silicon” among the “100 Noteworthy Books of 2006,” a list that included Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” and “Against the Day” by Thomas Pynchon. Allegretti’s poetry has been set to music by Frank Ezra Levy with performances at Kean University and at Holy Trinity, New York City. His fourth poetry collection, “Europa/Nippon/New York: Poems/Not-Poems,” which the pop-culture chronicler describes as his "jet-setting, la dolce vita collection," was recently released by Poets Wear Prada.

Ron Kolm is probably best known for his involvement with the Unbearables, a loose collective of cultural revolutionaries -- poets and artists, he founded in 1985 with Bart Plantenga, Mike Golden, and Peter Lamborn Wilson, inspired by Hakim Bey's seminal book "TAZ" (Temporary Autonomous Zone). In addition to organizing and participating in the group's performance-demonstrations, he has co-edited the group's anthologies, all published by Autonomedia, the latest titled "The Unbearables Big Book of Sex." "The Ron Kolm Papers," some thirty-five cartons of correspondence, notebooks, objects, chapbooks, signed first editions and runs of literary magazines, were purchased by the Fales Library at New York University, where they now reside.

Melind Padki, originally from India, now residing in New Jersey, has had poems and short stories published in both English and “Marathi,” his mother tongue. He spent twelve years in the great city of Mumbai before coming to Unites States as a post-doctoral fellow at University of Southern California, Los Angeles. His observations, up close and personal, of Mumbai's massive slums and local workers' movements, have appeared in India’s national newspaper, “Times of India.”

Michael Graves, author of four poetry collections, the most recent, “In Fragility” from Black Buzzard, hosts The Phoenix Reading Series every Sunday afternoons series at Scalinatella, 245 Bleecker Street (west of Carmine), (212) 255-5353, from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. An open reading follows the featured guest writers. There is an $8 food/beverage minimum plus a suggested $3 donation.

By Subway: Take the 1 train to Christopher Street-Sheridan Square; alternatively the A, B, C, D, E, or F train to West 4th Street and exit at the West 3rd Street exit.

From New Jersey, take NJ PATH to Christopher Street.

The first Phoenix reading took place in 1995 at La Poeme, a venue on Prince and Elizabeth Streets, and in the years since the series has grown and evolved into the friendly forum it is today. Each week, Phoenix features a set of talented and recognized poets (usually two or three) who read for 20 minutes each. Following the spotlight readings, there is an open mic, and any and all audience members are welcome to share 3-5 minutes of their own material. Phoenix also publishes a print review.

For more information about the series and the print review, please contact Host Michael Graves by email to mikegraves50@hotmail.com.