 Lawrence Ferlinghetti outside his San Francisco store in 1998. PHOTO: REUTERS The spark of an idea is a mysterious yet wondrous thing and how that spark can feel like a supernova, generating the power to begin a creative journey is a true gift. The irony is that the moment of occurrence can be quickly left behind in favor of the concept. And oftentimes, it takes an external event years later, to remind you of that spark. For Charley Ryan, Co-Owner of Brooklyn Bowl and guest from EP 04 it was, sadly, the February 22 death of 101 year old Lawrence Ferlinghetti that reminded Ryan of the moment when the design idea for the Brooklyn Bowl came to him. (Ferlinghetti is the famed writer and co-founder of the of the iconic City Lights Booksellers and Publishers.) Ryan, like many across the internet, was inspired to share his connection to Ferlinghetti and the source of his spark. With his blessing, I share an excerpt from Ryan’s text. “When I arrived in SF in '72, I stayed in a grotty little basement room at my aunt's house on Funston, near Golden Gate Park. Within a couple of days I made my pilgrimage to North Beach and City Lights. It was a quiet evening in the store; almost no one else was in there. But a man with an older woman I took to be his aunt or maybe even his mother was there, and he was pointing out notable works to her. It was Allen Ginsberg! I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Even then I thought to myself, "There's no way he comes here very often." But there he was, a wonderful omen as far as I could see. About 36 years later I was struggling with what might be our design theme at Brooklyn Bowl. Everything I'd come up with seemed clumsy or arbitrary or both. I felt the same (or even worse) about others suggestions. I came home one night and, without knowing why, walked over to a bookcase and randomly pulled out a slim volume. My hand chose a copy of Ferlinghetti's most famous work, A Coney Island of the Mind, that I'd purchased that long-ago night in his store and somehow still possessed. This collection of poems evokes the tattered, soulful, past its prime glory of the old amusement park and carnival grounds. I looked it over for a couple of minutes before the obvious dawned on me: Coney Island is Brooklyn. We are Brooklyn Bowl. We can grab the rich iconography and visceral hustle of the carnival, even though Coney's at the other end of Brooklyn. An astounding slice of Americana. Eureka! RIP, Lawrence. Thanks for the help, and especially the delivery of good omens.” Some ponder that his gloomy tone in, "A Coney Island of the Mind" gives a glimpse into Ferlinghetti's state of mind, and perhaps it does, but I found a spark of hope in the pages. I had never heard of this book of poems so I started with his most famous, “I Am Waiting” and was surprised to read it was less about Coney Island motifs, and more about “perpetually awaiting a rebirth of wonder.” I am waiting for some strains of unpremeditated art to shake my typewriter and I am waiting to write the great indelible poem and I am waiting for the last long careless rapture and I am perpetually waiting for the fleeing lovers on the Grecian Urn to catch each other up at last and embrace and I am awaiting perpetually and forever a renaissance of wonder  At a time when all of us are waiting for the rebirth of live music, Ryan’s story serves as a reminder to trust the spark and honor the people who create the source of inspiration, like a chain reaction, it is a gift that keeps on giving. Brooklyn Bowl is a full on sensory experience and now we can thank both Ryan and Ferlinghetti for creating a space that sparks wonder and will soon reignite our souls. Rest in peace Lawrence; we are overdue for a “long careless rapture” and will embrace it in your honor. Listen to Charley Ryan's Concert Cast Episode Here
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