No one was saying "shhh!" during Bao Phi and Ed Bok Lee's rousing performance at the Minneapolis Central Library this past Saturday night. The two veteran poets held a joint book release party that at times felt like a rock show with fans on their feet and music bumping over the speakers (courtesy of DJ Nak). The duo filled the library's main auditorium, including two over-flow rooms.
For Lee, "Whorled" is his second book after 2005's acclaimed "Real Karaoke People." Phi has been a slam-poetry champion and a national finalist, but "Song I Sing" is his first book. Both titles are published by Coffee House Press.
Missed the party? Don't worry, you can find their books at many area book stores. Magers & Quinn has a bunch.
Read my review of Bao Phi's "Song I Sing" here.
Read John Freeman's review of Lee's "Whorled" here.
(Photos: Bao Phi, top, by Charissa Uemura. Ed Bok Lee by Dani Werner)
