Requiem For Bohemia

Today marked the first day of my internship at KPFK Pacifica Radio. Although I've only flirted with the idea of being involved with broadcast journalism, I'm awfully excited to learn both front and back end aspects of running a radio show; I'm even more excited to know that I'm actually going to get the opportunity to be on air. I've only started to get my foot wet and already I've compiled a small list of interviews in my head that I want to conduct for one of their many programs, "Poet's Cafe".

I had the wonderful opportunity to be in studio while Vivian (who I cannot thank any more for giving me this spectacular opportunity) interviewed author Daniel Hurewitz about his book, Bohemian Los Angeles. An aspect of his book hit close to home, as it touches upon the history of Edendale, California - what us Angelinos recognize as Silverlake and Echo Park today. Spending most of my life residing in Echo Park, an area that inspired and enabled me to participate in countless poetry readings, I had no idea the massive history and importance of growing artistic culture it encompassed - the bohemian lifestyle that was flourishing with the largest and most significant poets, artists, and filmmakers in Los Angeles at the time.

I came out of the station today having learned much more than I had expected. I was given some insight about a community's rich and inspiring story I was connected with, yet knew nothing of.
Boy, Abee's fascination about that run-down district makes so much more sense now.