Brooklyn Bookbeat: Poetry Brothel visits DUMBO for intimate ‘St. Valentine’s Day’ readings
A slew of seductive poets will perform as part of The Poetry Brothel’s St. Valentine’s Day Massacre this Saturday, Feb. 9, at DUMBO’s Forgotten Works Studio. The event, which aims to challenge conventional Valentine’s Day traditions, features sultry writers who will read to patrons for a fee. Forgotten Works Studio will transform into a brothel-like space that includes back rooms where patrons may pay to receive private poetic services.
The Poetry Brothel has coordinated Valentine’s Day events for the past five years. Stephanie Berger, one of the Brothel’s poets who organized the event, tells Brooklyn Daily Eagle, “This year we wanted to shake it up and go a little darker. We’re encouraging our guests to come and explore, interpret and deconstruct the concept of Valentine’s Day as institution, cultural myths and history of the day and season, and the Valentine, both as art object and object of desire.”
The event includes more than just provocative poetry readings. Event attendees – who are invited to take advantage of a full bar – will also have the chance to see burlesque and aerial performances, while singer-songwriter Shayfer James will be playing live music.