Links & Videos

We're proud to introduce the
new Los Angeles Producers of Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts...
MICHAEL C. FORD
& MIKE THE POET


Michael C. Ford earned a Grammy nomination in 1986 with his debut spoken word vinyl {on SST} LANGUAGE COMMANDO.

His book of Selected Poems EMERGENCY EXITS was honored by a 1998 Pulitzer Prize nomination.

His last CD FIRE ESCAPES was bankrolled in 1995 by New Alliance: produced at Sonora by Michael Campagna who also composed and orchestrated most of the charts.

He concluded a recording project: a verbal rhapsody which pays an important tribute to both the art and the history of percussion; collaborating with DOORS cofounder John Densmore at the drum kit.

MCF has participated in keeping THE DOORS open by occasionally being in the company of keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Since their milestone appearances at McCabe’s in the late 80s, they’ve been collaborating on several voice and piano recording dates {the most recent being a specially conceived track titled EXTREME UNCTION FOR JAMES DOUGLAS MORRISON for Hen House Studios anthology Vol. 4} – seen in the link above.
Besides publishing music journalism, essays and assays on other aspects of American cultural history, he’s served as judge and panelist for literary arts organizations and publishers.

Ford’s plays have been staged internationally, and a screenplay version of a West Coast production of BLONDES DON’T BOTHER TO KNOCK is currently in production.

He’s been called into service to teach in USA county area middle-schools and high-schools through the PEN in the Classroom program: also at many nationwide universities; and to recite at various venues: many times with musical accompaniment.


Mike Sonksen also known as, Mike the Poet, is widely acclaimed for his live performances, contributions to international publications & legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, teacher, he's published in the L.A. Citybeat, Wax Poetics, O.C. Weekly, New Angeles, L.A. Weekly & many others. This 3rd generation L.A. native graduated from U.C.L.A. in 1997. His book I AM ALIVE IN LOS ANGeLES! has been added to the curriculum of several universities & received rave reviews. Mike's performed his poetry coast to coast at college campuses, museums, bookstores, nightclubs & just about any venue you can imagine. His Los Angeles city tours combine poetry and history and have been written up in the New York Times, THE UK Guardian, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, L.A. Weekly, L.A. Citybeat & many others.

Both Michael C. Ford and Mike The Poet have featured at Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts, including the July 23, 2010 show at Beyond Baroque (see details below from the print and web articles from L.A. Weekly). It is rare that a poetry show gets some ink in the papers, especially in the lead of the large metropolitan newspaper section (see below for details)...

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE AT LEAD OF LAWEEKLY'S "GO LA" SECTION

CLICK THIS GRAPHIC FOR WEB ARTICLE...

Press on the Friday, 7/23/10 Beyond Baroque show in Venice, CA.



     To view videos by Ellyn Maybe,
         Michael C. Ford and other favorite
         Sparring champs, click this link:

                                 

                            Ellyn Maybe is a strong supporter of
                            the Sparring With Beatnik Ghosts
                            series (having performed at 4 shows)
                            She will be Sparring again this summer
                            in Los Angeles during our L.A. Triple
                            Spar! Here's one of her videos
                            from Hen House Studios right here:

                  



Jackson Browne on Ellyn Maybe and  her album Rodeo for the Sheepish...