Honolulu Weekly

It’s hard to fathom Jack Kerouac’s lust and fortitude for adventure and solace during his 1940s trek across the mainland when it only takes an hour to drive from town to the country. But his penchant for the open road became the fodder for the classic novel, On The Road, propelling a beat generation of authors, poets, musicians and free-thinkers into the mainstream.

Anna Bannana’s is celebrating this tradition of thought and poetry by introducing a new open mic poetry night every first Tuesday of the month. Bringing Back Kerouac will be a forum for cover poems, beat poems, original poems, live music and short films.

Next Tuesday, slam poet Anthem Salgado will perform spoken word accompanied by Russian musician Ace Kentura.

Are you up on your beat poet trivia? Prizes will be awarded if you can answer the host’s trivia questions. We’ll give you a head start: In several of Kerouac’s books, Cody is the name given to Neal Cassady, Jack’s muse and co-pilot along that long and desolate road across America.

Blow the dust off your poetry journal and start writing.

Anna Bannana’s, 2240 S. Beretania St., every first Tuesday of the month, 8:30-11pm, free, 21+, 954-9622