“They danced down the streets like dingledodies, and I shambled after as I’ve been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn…”

For those of you who don’t know (even though most of the freshman should know since they went on the downtown walking tour over the summer. See how it comes back to haunt you? =]), Lowell is the home of notable poet and novelist, Jack Kerouac ( March 12, 1922 – October 21, 1969).  He is considered a literary iconoclast, and alongside William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, a pioneer of the Beat Generation. Kerouac is recognized for his spontaneous method of writing covering topics such as jazz,promiscuity, Buddhism, drugs, poverty, and travel. His writings have inspired other writers, including Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Robbins, Thomas Pynchon, Lester Bangs, Will Clarke, Richard Brautigan, Ken Kesey, Haruki Murakami, and Bob Dylan. [1]

Once a year, Lowell throws a festival to honor their native born son. It features poets, musicians and artists from all around who come to share their art with those who wish to view it. The festival is centered around Kerouac Park (On Bridge Street). The park maintains a faithful audience once a year for the “Lowell Celebrates Kerouac” festival. Lowell Celebrates Kerouac, an organization that does just as its name suggests, along with local cafes, museums, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell hold poetry slams, documentary screenings, exhibitions and discussions based on the great poetic inspiration.[2]

The festival will be going on from September 30th to October 3rd. So if you’re looking for something to do on a weekend or need a bit of art in your life after a long day of classes, this might be the event for you.

In the words of Jack Kerouac…

[1]  “Jack Kerouac.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Kerouac>.

[2] Silva, By Kaitlyn. “Lowell, Massachusetts: History and Culture in the City of Kerouac.” Travel with GoNOMAD.com: Alternative Travel, Travel Writing, Travel Research Advice from Travelers, Airline Tickets. Web. 15 Sept. 2010. <http://www.gonomad.com/destinations/0902/massachusetts-lowell.html>.