Poe @ South Street Seaport

[ellenkushner]

Went last night to the NYRSF 200th Birthday Tribute to Edgar Allan Poe, where Delia read from her short story "The Red Piano" in Ellen Datlow's new anthology, POE. Delia's reading was delightful and hilarious. Someone asked afterwards if I was jealous - emphatically not! She's been to so many of my gigs, being proud & supportive - it was great to get to relax, watch her be all squiggly beforehand, say soothing things & make sure she had her gig bag, and then watch her perform and enjoy the audience's delight. The other readers were terrific, as well.

I was very tired, and had put on something brown and cosy to go out in - but when I saw Delia got up in all her gothy finery, I changed to match her. ellen_datlow's description of the full event is here, and her photos of us are here and the Next page. I adore them. I am wearing a fetching little hat (which is, in fact, my everyday NYC street hat) and am carrying my Chanukah present from Delia, the Metropolitan Museum Fabergé "lorgnette" (actually a magnifying glass, but very useful when I've got my contacts in! The old version, which I actually liked better, as it has a longer handle, is now on sale. Oh, yes, and note the cool rose ring d_aulnoy gave me!) We got one good shot of me "in character" - the rest, I am sadly cracking up because everyone gathered around shouting encouragement.

Poe's actual 200th birthday will be January 18th. It's not too late to plan a celebration - why not invite some friends over to read some of the master's work aloud, while sipping Amontillado?