We returned from London last night, exhausted but exhilarated after David's successful lecture and readings. He started at London's popular Jewish Book Week with a "conversation with musical illustrations" during which he was interviewed by writer and documentary filmmaker Naomi Gryn. Over 550 people packed the house. One highlight of the lecture came early: David's plan was to show film clips featuring songs from his book A Fine Romance: Jewish Songwriters American Songs. Up first was the lovely Kim Novak singing "My Funny Valentine" from the movie version of Pal Joey, but when the clip rolled, there was no sound! Without missing a beat, David burst into song, and the audience joined him in a magical spontaneous sing along. You can listen to David's Jewish Book Week interview with Jason Solomon of the Guardian here (his portion begins at 20:00).
Photo left: Rose Landowne; Geralding D'Amico, director of Jewish Book Week; David Lehman; Morton Landowne, director of Nextbook; and Naomi Gryn. Photo right: The Guardian's Jason Solomon with David Lehman.
Still floating among the stars from Jewish Book Week, David, along with Mark Ford, Heather Phillipson, Emily Berry, Liz Berry, Kayo Chingonyi, and Luke Kennard, gave a reading at London's Marylebone branch of Oxfam's bookshops. Todd Swift organized and hosted the reading in connection with the recent release of Asking a Shadow to Dance: 35 Young British Poets for Oxfam.
Todd Swift, Mark Ford (center) and David Lehman after the Oxfam reading on Monday, March 1, 2010.
-- sdh
