Immigrant Brings Poetry Readings Along

Like many immigrants, Federico Luduena brought a tradition with him from his homeland--poetry readings, like those he helped organize in Buenos Aires.

Called “Circo de Poesia” (Poetry Circus), the monthly gatherings provided an opportunity for people of all ages and social classes to read their poems to an appreciative audience.

Inspired by the free spirit of those meetings, Luduena started similar gatherings in Los Angeles when he moved here three years ago.

In the beginning, he also called them “Circo de Poesia.”

“The first reading was held in a private home during a winter evening with a fire burning in the fireplace and 15 people reading poems,” he said.

“By the second meeting, there were 40 of us. And 100 people on the third one.”

Since then, the “Circo” has been divided into two groups.

One kept the original name and still holds parties with socializing as its main purpose. Luduena began a second group with the mission of keeping poetry alive.

As a tribute to a Jorge Luis Borges short story, it was named “El Hacedor” (The Maker).

“El Hacedor” now meets regularly at Beyond Baroque in Venice but holds occasional meetings in the Valley.

The next will be Saturday evening in the community room of Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks.

Participants are expected but not required to read.

Poems can be unpublished originals or works of famous authors. Some readings are done in English but mostly the poems are read in Spanish.

Briefly: Orchid Black, Andrea Louise, Kiva J. Catalina, David Cooper and the group Third Door Down will perform spoken word and music tonight at Exile Books & Music, 14925 Magnolia Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 8 p.m. show time and $5 cover.

Singer-songwriters Kevin Benjamin and Erin McKeown perform Saturday at 8 p.m. $10 cover. (818) 986-6409.

Author John Saul will sign his new book, “Nightshade,” Saturday at 2 p.m. at Dark Delicacies, 4213 W. Burbank Blvd., Burbank. (818) 556-6660.

Poet Hal Gordy will be the featured reader at an open poetry reading Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 16461 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 380-1636.

Psychic Kenny Kingston will sign his book “I Still Talk to . . . “ and answer one question for everyone who buys it, Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 731 N. San Fernando Road, Burbank. (818) 558-1383.

Johnny Fimple will discuss “The State of Electronic Music in L.A.” Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books & Music, 14651 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Todd and Jeff Brabec will discuss “Music, Money and Success: An Insider’s Guide to the Music Industry” Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Poet Florence Weinberger reads from “The Crimson Edge” Thursday at 7:30 p.m., followed by open-mike poetry readings. (818) 728-6593.

BE THERE

El Hacedor Poetry Reading, Saturday at 8 p.m., community room of Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks. Call (818) 787-7427.

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James E. Fowler is a Times staff writer and Ernesto Lechner is a correspondent.