In addition to the film screening, there will be several free virtual events to participate each evening to stream on the ruth weiss foundation website.www.ruthweissfoundation.org

November 13th, will be the launch of the ruth weiss foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization that preserves and advances the works of a poet of historical significance, ruth weiss. The activities of the Foundation include literary poetic performances, exhibits, educational programs, and events. The Foundation will also sell books, artwork, and musical performances of the poet to fund an annual grant/scholarship to supports poets, visual artists, musicians, dancers, and filmmakers.

November 14th will be a Q&A discussion with the director Melody C. Miller and Producer Elisabeth Montgomery moderated by George Russell, a close friend of ruth weiss and co-founder of the Mendocino Film Festival.

November 15th will be a virtual memorial for ruth weiss with music and poetry performances by locals and words shared by her loved ones.

SYNOPSIS:

In a life that has spanned 92 creative years, ruth weiss was one of the last living significant poets of the Beat Generation. Born to a Jewish family during the rise of Nazism, as a 10-year-old refugee, she escaped to the United States. ruth became a Jazz troubadour exemplifying the zeitgeist of Chicago, New Orleans, and San Francisco. In the 1940s, she opened up and organized the first poetry readings in cafes and bars in North Beach, giving a platform to many poets.

She is a contemporary of Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Jack Kerouac, and she was the originator of reading poetry to jazz. Legend Herb Caen dubbed ruth weiss as “The Goddess of the Beat Generation” because of her contribution to the culture of North Beach and the Bay Area poetry scene. Inspired by her work, this documentary uses poetic imagery through dance, art, animation, and music to embody her oeuvre. 68 min. Directed by Melody Miller.