Carolyn Cassady - Booksigning for Off the Road

Carolyn Robinson married Neal Cassady in 1948. Neal passed away in 1968 at the age of 41 and Carolyn has been living in England since 1983. This is her first public appearance in the United States in over two years!

Seldom can it be said that a single individual so greatly influenced two major social movements, then disappeared with barely a trace - but this is, nonetheless, the case with Neal Cassady.

Neal is often referred to as the cross-generational bridge between the Beat Generation and the Hippies. The core writers of the Beats inspired the "angelheaded hipsters" of the 1950's who became known as the "Beatniks" and who, in turn, became the Hippies of the 1960's. Though these counter-culture movements had their differences, they included many of the same cross-over figures—and they were all connected to Neal Cassady.

Neal Cassady was the main character of Jack Kerouac's breakthrough novel On the Road. Simultaneously, Allen Ginsberg named Neal the "secret hero" of his groundbreaking poem, "Howl." Years later it was Neal Cassady whom Ken Kesey chose to drive the Merry Pranksters' psychedelic school-bus "Furthur" as they roared into the Hippie era.

Neal passed away along the railroad tracks in Mexico in 1968 but his memory lives on. On Sunday, February 8th The Beat Museum in North Beach will be celebrating Neal's birthday like never before with a full day celebration that will feature live music, special guests, a silent auction and Carolyn Cassady, Neal's wife, signing her book Off The Road about her life with Cassady, Kerouac and Ginsberg.

The silent auction will feature rare and unique Beat Generation collectibles as well as dinners and accommodations donated by local North Beach restaurants and hotels.

Proceeds will benefit the 501(c)(3) non-profit Foundation for Creative Expression which supports artistic endeavors in San Francisco.

There will be a raffle and refreshments and many other special offerings. Check the Beat Museum's website at thebeatmuseum.org or call 1-800-KER-OUAC for details.

A Link to the event:
http://www.thebeatmuseum.org/events.htm