Tour Allen Ginsberg’s Old Digs With His Longtime Assistant

Howl Festival 2011, East Village, New York City - 15Vivienne Gucwa Last year’s Howl! festival.

Happy Howl! Festival, everyone. At 4:30 p.m. in Tompkins Square Park, Bob Holman, poet and beekeeper, will kick off the annual group reading of Allen Ginsberg’s epic poem, and to celebrate the bard’s birthday weekend, The Local is offering up something special: a chance to visit Ginsberg’s former apartment on East 12th Street with his longtime secretary, Bob Rosenthal, as your host.

Mr. Rosenthal recently shared some memories of his nearly two decades working alongside Ginsberg at 437 East 12th Street, and he’ll share more during an intimate chat in the poet’s old living room. (Naturally, borscht will be served.) All you have to do is subscribe to The Local’s newsletter and you could be one of five lucky attendees. And you’ll be getting East Village news and events delivered straight to your inbox daily, for free! Just sign up here. The contest ends June 15.

Plus, if you’re interested in writing for The Local, have suggestions for coverage, or just want to hear more about us, look for our table at Howl! Festival over the weekend. We’d love to meet you.