NEWS! BIG JOY WEEKEND

by Joseph Panzetta, Stephen Silha

What’s it like to have an angel who guides you through life as a poet?  To find your soulmate at age 62?  To have friends like Allen Ginsberg, Imogen Cunningham, Pauline Kael, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Alan Watts?  What’s it like to feel both male and female?

Find out about one “crazy old man’s” exuberant life January 11 and 12 as Vashon Center for the Arts celebrates the life, poetry and films of James Broughton (1913-1999), the pre-Beat poet and experimental filmmaker from San Francisco and Port Townsend.

The two-day celebration embraces three events:  a documentary film (Saturday afternoon), a poetic performance piece (Saturday evening), and a screening of Broughton’s experimental films with commentary by people who knew him (Sunday late afternoon).

Join us for the world’s first-ever BIG JOY WEEKEND:

CABARET SCREENING OF AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARYBIG JOY: The Adventures of James Broughton (2013, 82 minutes)Saturday, January 11 at 2 p.m.

Years before the Beats arrived in San Francisco, the city exploded with artistic expressions – painting, theatre, film, poetry. And at its center was the groundbreaking filmmaker and poet James Broughton.  Big Joy explores Broughton's life and art which weaves the quirky, bizarre, sexual and charming - all with a sprinkling of spirituality. His remarkable story spans the post-war San Francisco Renaissance; his escape to Europe during the McCarthy years; a special film prize at Cannes; his consorting with the Beats; making films celebrating the human body…before meeting his soulmate at age 62; becoming a bard of Gay liberation; and dying a conscious death during the last months of the century.

Produced on Vashon Island, Big Joy has been to over 50 film festivals including South By Southwest, Tribeca and Hong Kong. It won several awards including the Reel Northwest Award at Seattle International Film Festival, and played in a shortened version on many PBS stations. Vashon Islander Stephen Silha was a friend of James Broughton, and was present at his death in 1999 in Port Townsend. Inspired by Broughton’s films, books, and philosophy, he began a biography project which morphed into this film and a robust web presence [bigjoy.org].

 ECSTASY FOR EVERYONE!An original performance piece celebrating James Broughton by Jason JennSaturday, January 11 at 8 p.m.

Poet James Broughton had many sublime personal mottos, including “Adventure, Not Predicament,” “Follow Your Own  Weird,” and “I believe in ecstasy for everyone!”  In this show, you will feel all of these.

Los Angeles-based performance artist Jason Jenn (a/k/a the Troubadour Trixter) brings to vivid life on stage the wit, wonder and whimsy of Broughton’s world and words.  Dramatic readings are supported by movement, song, film clips, costumes, props and other visual elements inspired by Broughton’s films to express the heart, soul and wisdom of his extraordinary life.  Broughton’s work speaks to us with a most beguiling charm, both devoutly spiritual and sexually liberated. The themes are relevant as ever in these troubling times. [jasonjenn.com]

 IN BED WITH JAMES BROUGHTON AND FRIENDSExperimental film screening, conversation with people who knew BroughtonSunday, January 12 at 4 p.m.

Called by some the Father of West Coast Experimental Film, James Broughton (1913-1999) made 23 experimental films, and wrote 23 books of poetry.

Experience some of his films and discuss them with people who knew James, including filmmakers Janice Findley and Corwin Fergus.

• Testament (1974 - 20 min) -  A whimsical look at Broughton’s life.  He thought it might be his last film, but then he met Joel Singer.
• The Water Circle (1975 - 3 min) - An example of his poem/films - an art form he pioneered.  We might also show his 1951 poem film Four in the Afternoon - 15 min.
• The Bed (1968 - 20 min) was his most famous film. Made during the summer of love at Druid Heights, Alan Watts’ Marin County compound, it explores all the things that can happen on a bed. Cast includes Watts, Imogene Cunningham, Gavin Arthur, Anna Halprin, and many hippies.
• Devotions (1983 - 22 min) -  A collaboration with his husband Joel Singer, Devotions explores many different ways men can love each other.

In the midst of winter, come explore your own joys and sorrows for the world’s first BIG JOY WEEKEND, at Vashon’s beautiful Vashon Center for the Arts, 19600 Vashon Highway SW.  Note: Contains nudity and adult themes.

The BIG JOY WEEKEND is presented by Vashon Center for the Arts, in collaboration with the Vashon Heritage Museum’s exhibit IN AND OUT: Being LGBTQ on Vashon Island, which is up until early May.

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