Reading Poetry At Matter Studio. Hail & Farewell Richard Alatorre

A Good Place to Read Is Good to Find

Michael Sedano

The Gallerist spoke sincerely, “we want to hold poetry readings in this space.” The space is Matter Studio Gallery on Pico in mid-city Los Angeles. Gerda Govine-Ituarte, who had interviewed artist J. Michael Walker in a gallery talk, heeded Karla Funderburk’s invitation and, together with long-time colleague, Thelma T. Reyna, organized the reading October 19.

Surrounded by abstract drawings and contented listeners, featured poets Govine, Reyna, and Hazel Clayton, were preceded by an open mic featuring Pauli Dutton, Lester Graves Lennon, GT Foster, Vibiana Chamberlin, Carolina Rivera Escamilla, who read poems published in Altadena Poetry Review Anthology 2024 (link). This superb lineup includes the founder of Altadena’s enduring laureate program, two Laureates Emerita, and Altadena’s current Co-Laureate. 

Gerda Govine listens as GT Foster reads

The afternoon’s listening joy springs from seeing and hearing poets comfortable in their own work, public speakers alert for adaptations available with this audience and ambience, poets offering considered reading and gesture consistent with the poets’ personal style. It is an afternoon of sublime moments, expression, thought, and motivation.

The reading begins inside the automobile driving into dismaying LA traffic. I am chauffeur to the three spotlight poets. The computerized map leads the route onto surface streets then changes her mind, directing the car back toward the congested freeway system. I drive onward into the heart of Koreatown, the edge of Pico-Union, then nondescript mid-City environs where Matter Studio Gallery needs to thrive at the corner of Pico and Redondo Blvd., 5080 W. Pico Boulevard LA, CA 90019

We arrive just as a busload of itinerant art collectors wrap up a visit to the exhibition. We mingle and share wine, water, fruit, cake, cookies laid out by the gallery for the tour and the reading. The collectors leave as the poetry friends filter into the space.

Driving to Matter Studio is no deterrent even on trafficky days. From Altadena, the drive will be half an hour or forty-five minutes. That’s better than most journeys in LA where gente know it takes an hour to get anywhere, even on the train.

Gallerist Funderburk has suggestions on seating and lectern placement. She asks about introducing the panel, only to learn she’s working with seasoned professionals. Reyna and Govine enlist Karla to distribute copies of the program and biographical notes, printed in sufficient number for every listener to get their own copy.

Printed material is essential to a top-quality audience experience. A portable P.A. system amplifies, and fuzzes, articulation.  With printed materials in hand, audiences will both hear and read the introductions. Nothing is lost owing to technology and acoustics. 

Vibiana Chamberlin

Pauli Dutton, who founded the Altadena Poet Laureate Program

Lester Graves Lennon, Co-Poet Laureate of Altadena, Ca

GT Foster

Carolina Rivera Escamilla 

Gerda sets the tone for the afternoon recounting the origins of today’s invitation. Thelma holds together the program, introducing each Poetry Review poet and the featured readers as each takes the lectern. 

Hazel Clayton, Poet Laureate Emerita of Altadena

I am impressed at the efficiency Karla Funderburk and an assistant display, clearing the gallery floor within minutes of the final spoken syllable! It’s not unusual to see audience and poets pitch in to clean up a space after a reading. Matter Studio isn’t the usual place.

Gerda Govine-Ituarte, founder of Pasadena Rose Poets

A few weeks ago, someone asked me if I knew where she could organize an AWP Off-site reading when AWP hits LA in March 2025. My friend chose a site on the Eastside. AWP Planners will want to consider Matter Studio. Mid-City is close to the convention center where AWP convenes; not walkable, but inexpensively ride-sharable.

Thelma T. Reyna, Poet Laureate Emerita of Altadena

For the poets of the Altadena Poetry Review Anthology 2024, the afternoon marks yet another productive outcome of their publication in the book. Publisher Thelma T. Reyna plans additional readings in coming months in venues like Matter Studio and backyard floricantos. La Bloga is happy to be included on the guest list and as chauffeur. 

(Fotos taken with iPhone)

Note: Richard Alatorre lived large in Los Angeles politics. A pioneering campaigner who held statewide and city office, he died in August 2024.

In memoriam

Richard Alatorre El Guerrillero Del Pueblo

By Jorge “Coqui” H. Rodriguez 

Richard Alatorre was a believer in possibilities 

He was the ultimate people’s politician…….

No one before him or after him can get near his tallones or accomplishments…….

Richard always did things to help people and impact the well being of their lives especially RAZA!…….

Richard could deal with Chancellor of Universities, police chiefs, heads of corporations, the Los Angeles Metro Board, heads of countries and tell them what he needed and what had to be changed……

Richard made them aware they were not getting the money they wanted for their projects if the people in State of California, City of Los Angeles, people in his 14th Council District,  weren’t treated with dignity, fairness, and justly attended to……..

Richard held firm to his principles to serving the Mexican people and others during his time in elected office…….

Richard was totally a grassroots politician……..

Richard brought the expansion of affirmative action at the universities, colleges and realigning the political redistricting lines for RAZA’s representation and inclusion across the Golden State, the City of Los Angeles and as Chair of the MTA he built the frame work for what is now the Los Angeles Metro Transportation System…….   

Richard brought us the world famous Mariachi Plaza on Boyle Avenue and First Street, in Boyle Heights…….

Richard march in 1984 down Broadway locked in arms with then Presidential Candidate Jesse Jackson and icon civil rights attorney Antonio H. Rodriguez what was then the largest pro-immigrants rights march in Los Angeles…….

Richard was the people’s Guerrillero, Advocate, Defender, Champion and the grassroots voice for the voiceless……. 

Richard was the marker of possibilities who changed the landscape of politics for Mexicans for future generations always delivering on his commitments…….

Richard Alatorre PRESENTE! …….   Richard Alatorre PRESENTE…….

About the author:

Jorge “Coqui” H Rodriguez is Founding member of the Sin Fronteras Project y First LA Annual Street Poetry Committee. Jorge is a long time civil, labor, immigration, environmental right activist. Sent from my iPhone