Cool Kirby

Entertainment Weekly may not represent the height of literary criticism, but in 2007 the magazine dropped a notable compliment on poet David Kirby when it declared his book The House on Boulevard St. “one of five reasons to live.” (The book was also nominated for the 2007 National Book Award in poetry.) A poet for people who think they don’t like poetry, Kirby writes jagged free verse that’s as likely to invoke Johnny Cash as Henry James. Kirby’s latest book, Little Richard: The Birth of Rock and Roll, is a biography of one of his biggest influences. He’ll no doubt discuss the intersection of pop culture and high art during his 7 p.m. lecture in Vanderslice Hall at the Kansas City Art Institute (4415 Warwick). The free event is part of the school’s ongoing Current Perspectives lecture series.

Thu., Feb. 19, 7 p.m., 2009